English serves as a de facto official language, coexisting with indigenous languages like Urdu, Punjabi, and Pushto, and this linguistic environment has led to unique phonetic adaptations in Pakistani English. The study specifically explores pronunciation patterns influenced by these indigenous languages, focusing on phoneme borrowing, sound assimilation, retroflex articulations, and the substitution of interdental sounds with dental ones. The objective of this study is to examine the segmental phonological characteristics of Pakistani English, a distinctive non-native English variety shaped by the multilingual landscape of the country. The data, collected from BS English students at the University of Sargodha, grouped into three, based on their native languages, i.e., Urdu, Punjabi, and Pushto, highlights phonetic tendencies particular to each language background, reflecting both linguistic and socio-cultural factors. Findings indicate how Pakistani English incorporates local language traits, establishing a unique identity in the backdrop of World Englishes. The study, using a descriptive-analytical approach, not only contributes to the understanding of the phonology of Pakistani English but also suggests implications for English language teaching in Pakistan and calls for further research into South Asian Englishes.

Keywords: Pakistani English; phoneme borrowing; phonological landscape; phonetic adaptations

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