The Legacy of Empire: Exploring British Colonial English in the Works of Manto and Hamid

Abstract

In the last few years, English has gained extraordinary respect in Pakistan. Due to this increased traction, students have started learning and speaking English despite losing their Urdu language. Although the learners use language as a tool to shape their discussions, they also negotiate their sense of self and how they see relationships with the outside world. The impact of British colonial English on modern Pakistani English is profound, reflecting broader themes of linguistic dominance and cultural influence that continue to shape the country’s social, educational, and political landscapes. During the British colonial period, English was institutionalized as the language of governance, education, and social prestige. Even after Pakistan's independence in 1947, English retained its status as a symbol of modernity, authority, and elite social mobility. The continued prevalence of British English, particularly in the educational and professional domains, reinforces social stratification, where English proficiency often correlates with higher socio-economic status. However, the emergence of a distinct "Pakistani English" marked by code-switching, hybridity, and localized expressions highlights the adaptation of colonial linguistic structures to local cultural contexts. The persistence of English, especially British-influenced forms, can be seen as a form of post-colonial linguistic imperialism, reflecting the deep-rooted impact of colonialism on language and identity in Pakistan. Ultimately, this dynamic illustrates how colonial linguistic practices continue to shape modern societal structures and individual self-perception in post-colonial contexts. British colonial English, with its formal register, standardized grammar, and British vocabulary, became the language of the elite, the educated, and the powerful. It was not just a tool for communication, but also a marker of prestige and modernity. In the decades following independence, English continued to dominate in key areas of life, particularly in education, business, law, and media. As a result, those who could master English, especially in its British form, were often afforded access to better job opportunities, higher education, and social status, reinforcing a socio-economic divide between English-speaking elites and the wider population. However, the enduring influence of British English in Pakistan is more than just a remnant of colonial rule it is a reflection of ongoing power dynamics. The persistent use of English in formal and professional contexts highlights the continued dominance of the language, which, despite being a foreign tongue, is often perceived as a necessary tool for upward mobility. At the same time, the fusion of English with local languages like Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto gives rise to a hybrid form of communication that is uniquely Pakistani, reflecting both the colonial past and the ongoing negotiation of post-colonial identity.This introduction sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the impact of British colonial English on modern Pakistani English. The impact of British colonial English on contemporary Pakistani English literature can be analyzed effectively using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). This approach examines how language reflects and shapes power dynamics, cultural identity, and postcolonial influences. By focusing on authors like Saadat Hasan Manto and Mohsin Hamid, one can explore themes of identity, hybridity, and cultural negotiation in the shadow of British colonial legacies. Through this lens, Pakistani English emerges not only as a product of colonial history but as an evolving symbol of modernity, power, and cultural hybridization