Acoustic Analysis of Vowel Variation in Pakistani English Speakers

Abstract

This study investigates the acoustic characteristics of vowel variation in Pakistani English (PakE) speakers by analyzing formant frequencies (F1 and F2) of selected monophthongs. The aim is to explore how native language interference and regional backgrounds influence English vowel production. Twenty educated Pakistani speakers from different provinces participated in the study. The vowel sounds /iː/, /ɪ/, /e/, /æ/, /ʌ/, /ɑː/, /ɒ/, /ɔː/, /uː/, and /ʊ/ were analyzed acoustically using Praat software. The findings revealed systematic deviations from Standard British English (SBE) vowel targets, particularly in front vowel raising and back vowel centralization. These variations reflect the influence of L1 phonological structures and socio-linguistic factors, contributing to the formation of a distinct Pakistani English variety. The study adds to the growing body of phonetic research on South Asian Englishes.