Role of Predominantly Semantic Properties in Assigning Gender to English Loanwords in Pashto and Urdu Language: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The primary goal of this study is to investigate the predominantly semantic characteristics that are used in the Khattak dialect of Pashto to determine the grammatical gender of English loanwords. In order to better understand language contact events in the Pakistani setting, the study intends to explore how gender allocation in loanword integration is influenced by predominantly semantic factors. Using Corbett's (1991) gender assignment model as a framework, an insightful and creative research design was developed that was most appropriate for the ongoing research being conducted in the Pakistani context. The current study is descriptive and qualitative in nature.  This study will help to clarify the nature of grammatical gender assignment processes in Pakistan and also draw attention to the need for additional research in this field.