Clausal-Internal Switching in Urdu-English: An Evaluation of the Matrix Language Frame Model

  • Asad Ali The University of Lahore, Punjab. Pakistan
  • Qaisar Jabbar University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Nazir Ahmad Malik University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Humayun Baber Kiani University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Zumra Noreen University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Ly Ngoc Toan University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Keywords: Matrix Language, Code Switching, Naturalistic, Bilingualism, System Morpheme

Abstract

The core of this paper is to employ the Matrix Language Frame (MLF) model on Urdu-English clausal-internal switching to identify whether the Matrix Language Frame model potentially accounts for the bilingual linguistic competence efficiently. For this, a qualitative methodology has been adopted for this study. For empirical evidence, data has been taken from eighty Urdu- English bilinguals within a naturalistic setting after categorizing them into four groups, and each group has 20 participants. After conducting audio-recording through non-participant interviews in an informal setting, the collected data was transcribed. The MLF model posited that two languages are fused in a single Intra-CP of a mixed string. The linearly dominant language is Matrix language (ML) that incorporates only late outsider system morphemes. Odd is Embedded language (EL) that supplies content morphemes satisfying the system morpheme principle (SMP) uniformly and morpheme order principle (MOP). The present study ubiquitously scrutinizes that naturalistic data of Urdu-English bilinguals highlights the innovative results: it predicts that Matrix language (ML) is unidentified in intra-CP, no late outsider system morphemes linearize a code-switched sentence, unparalleled constituent and clausal structure, System Morpheme Principle (SMP) and Morpheme Order Principle (SMP) provides the illegitimate output and computes ungrammatical sentences hence; the Matrix Language Frame model redundantly and inconsistently accounts for Urdu-English naturalistic data and its principles have failed to compute Urdu-English naturalistic data.

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Author Biographies

Qaisar Jabbar, University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Qaisar Jabbar is an MPhil in Applied Linguistics from University of Lahore (Gujrat). He is also serving as English Lecturer in Dadyal. His areas of research are Code-switching, syntax, ELT and morphology. He has also published his research in international level. He is a trained IELTS tutor and trainer with many years of experiences in Pakistan.

Nazir Ahmad Malik, University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Dr. Nazir Ahmad Malik is PhD in Linguistics from University of Management and Technology (Lahore). He is also HoD of English and Professor of Linguistics in University of Lahore. His core area of research is issues in syntax, bilingualism, semantics and theory of language. He has published his research in national and international levels. He has published his articles in Lingua. He has guided and supervised countless students in MPhil and PhD.

Humayun Baber Kiani, University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Mr. Humayun Baber Kiani is a PhD scholar in Foundation University (Rawalpindi). He is the trainer, motivational speaker, educationist, teacher, and researcher. His core interests are syntax, second language acquisition, ELT and bilingualism. He is also currently working as lecturer in a Swedish College Jhelum.

Zumra Noreen, University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Miss. Zumra Noreen is an MPhil in Applied Linguistics from University of Lahore (Gujrat). He is also serving as English Teacher in Government of Punjab. Her areas of research are Theoretical Linguistics, Syntax, ELT and Pragmatics. She is a trained IELTS tutor and trainer with many years of experiences in Pakistan.

Ly Ngoc Toan, University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Mr. Ly Ngoc Toan is an English teacher with PhD in English. He is also working in Thu Dau Mot University in Vietnam. He has been teaching and researching English for more than 15 years of experiences. His core areas of interest are Codeswitching, ELT, and Second Language Acquisition

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Published
2021-12-28
How to Cite
Ali, A., Jabbar, Q., Malik, N. A., Kiani, H. B., Noreen, Z., & Toan, L. N. (2021). Clausal-Internal Switching in Urdu-English: An Evaluation of the Matrix Language Frame Model. REiLA : Journal of Research and Innovation in Language, 3(3), 159-169. https://doi.org/10.31849/reila.v3i3.6774
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