South Asian Studies 

About: South Asian Studies is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Politics & China. Over the lifetime, 722 publications have been published receiving 3195 citations.

Opinion of Second Language Learners about Writing Difficulties in English Language

Abstract: English language enjoys a prominent role in Pakistan as an effective communication medium at local and international circles. It is used as a medium of instruction not only in schools but also in colleges and universities. The aim of this study was to explore writing difficulties in the English language faced by second language learners. A survey was conducted for this purpose. Data were collected from four boys and girls public sector colleges. Two hundred and forty five 12th graders studying English as a compulsory subject were randomly selected out of five hundred and twenty. Results of the study indicated that students were facing a lot of difficulties in writing English language due to lack of vocabulary, poor spelling, L1 interference and a poor understanding of grammatical structure. The girls face more writing difficulties than the male students in English language. The method based on identification, investigation, and solutions to language related real life problems should be used for teaching of English from primary school level to higher levels of education.KEYWORD: English language, writing difficulties, process writing, genre approach, writing modesThe Importance of LanguageToday, communication across the cultures and nations is more important than ever before. Language is the best medium of communication and is therefore essential for human interaction. In this globalized world, many people speak more than one language. Besides many other languages being taught in Pakistan, the English language is widely recognised for personal and professional use. It is considered as a lingua franca in all types of communication. The acquisition and use of a second language is essential to the everyday lives of people around the world. The trend for acquisition of second language affects the careers and life styles of people (Cook, 2001). English enjoys a status of second language in Pakistan as it is used extensively for many purposes in society. For acquiring and using any language effectively and efficiently, it is essential to master four basic skills, namely listening, speaking, reading and writing. Writing is not a natural activity, so explicit instructions are required for learning this skill (Aronoff& Rees- Miller, 2007). "Writing is a system of more or less permanent marks used to represent an utterance in such a way that it can be recovered exactly without intervention of the utterer" (Daniels & Bright, 1996). Audio lingual approach to language teaching ranks writing at an inferior level. It is a cognitive as well as a social process (MacArthur, 2006). Written expression is more effective in social cognitive instances of communication than oral expression. Unlike speaking, writing enables human beings to convey a message independent of time and space (Hughes, 1996). It is considered man's best academic achievement based on skills or components like mechanics, production, conventions, linguistics and cognition. The act of writing is independent of time and place; the writer has to depend upon formal features to convey the intended meanings. Failure to take advantage of these features correctly causes frustration for the writer (Leisak, 1989). English is the second and official language in Pakistan as well as an easy language to work with and learn science and technology at higher levels. It is taught as a compulsory subject in Urdu (L1) as well as English (L2) medium schools, however the majority of students with rural and urban backgrounds cannot communicate properly in English and perceive it as a very difficult subject. At secondary (grade 9-10), intermediary (grade 11-12) and bachelor levels (grade 13-14), many of the students from the Arts and Humanities areas cannot meet the requirements of the examination in English. The purpose of the study was to explore the difficulties in writing English language. It specifically aimed to know difficulties in writing English language related to grammar, punctuation, L1 interference, vocabulary, and spellings for students with English as a second language. …

Causes and Consequences of Child Marriages in South Asia: Pakistan's Perspective

Abstract: The problem of Child Marriages is quite common and pervasivepractice and an instrumentof gender based violence against women and high population growth rate in South Asia including Pakistan. Though Child Marriages Restraint Act, 1929 (CMRA) got reformed in India and Bangladesh, but remained toothless and out-dated in Pakistan. In fact Pakistan had accepted UNCRC way back in 1990 buther law on child marriage has not been harmonized with it. Child marriages take place mostly in the pretext of poverty, illiteracy and gender inequality. The physical, social, psychological and economic consequences of child marriage are severeongirls,who are generally pulled out of primary/secondary education and more likely confront physical,emotional and sexual violence. Pakistan is in the midst of demographic transition and a big portion of the population comprises of children. This ‘youth bulge’ withoutample opportunities poses a threat to the social fabric, if not tackled appropriately. A serious attention is needed to transform this bulge into a productive future resource of the country only if this portion of the population is properly guided and educated in a healthy and constructive environment.

Role of Microfinance Institutions in Women Empowerment: A Case Study of Akhuwat, Pakistan

Abstract: Gender discrimination is a persistent problem faced by women all over the world, which has ledto the need to empower women for uplifting their status as recognized by Millennium Development Goals (2010). The present study focuses on the role of microfinance in empowering women and also acknowledges its' significance in alleviating poverty. The researcher used qualitative approach and case study method for in depth analysis of the phenomenon in context of Akhuwat, an interest free microfinance organization. It was recognized that microfinance brings about changes in women's lives: household condition, family wellbeing and social status. It is improved by availing the services of microfinance institution and interest free loans further add to their well-being. Present study focused on four background variables to examine their influence on decision making ability of women in aspects of their domestic and social life. Age, education, marital status and family type are important contributing factors that influence women's empowerment. It was also observed that women are more inclined to be altruistic and spend most of their income on their families. The present study can be further extended by incorporating more factors and increasing sample size in order to get more significant results.Key words: Microfinance, Women Empowerment, Poverty, Interest Free LoanIntroduction"We recognize that gender equality, the empowerment of women, women's full enjoyment of all human rights and the eradication of poverty are essential to economic and social development, including the achievement of all the Millennium Development Goals" (Draft resolution of General Assembly. Millennium Summit, 2010, p. 3).Keeping in view the status of women in developing countries like Pakistan, the present study has been conducted to examine the influence of microfinance on empowering women in context of an interest free MFP, i.e. Akhuwat. An important milestone for alleviating poverty is through Millennium Development Goals as the first goal attempts to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger which is linked with third goal of gender equality and women empowerment. In male dominated society, women face discrimination intheir family, social, economic and political life and in addition to it the traditional duties of managing households create hindrances in their social and economic empowerment. Hence various efforts have been made by many Government and Non-Government organizations to promote women empowerment especially in rural areas and one such effort is the microfinance intervention (Meenu et al., 2011).The studies conducted by various researchers in this field have confirmed that targeting women is an effective way to combat poverty because women are likely to spend their incomes in food, health care and education of their children. All of these are investments in future and contribute towards long term economic advancements for families, communities and ultimately for countries (Women's Empowerment: Global Perspectives AJWS, 2006).In developing countries like Pakistan, women's empowerment is of great importance where 22.3% of the people are living under poverty line and nearly 40 per cent of women are poor and of whom almost 30 per cent can be considered both economically and socially poor. According to the United Nations Human Development Report 2011, Pakistan ranked 115th among 187 countries on the HDI in gender equality (National Report - June 2012, Pakistan). So these stats provide basis for promoting greater emphasis on gender equality.The study aims at first, confirming a positive link between microfinance and the socio-economic wellbeing of women in context of a microfinance provider i.e. Akhuwat and second, to examine the demographic variables that influence women decision making ability. A qualitative software Nvivo is used for the analysis purpose to show the impact of MF on the life of its beneficiaries. …

Southern Neolithic Cultivation Systems: A Reconstruction based on Archaeobotanical Evidence

Abstract: Scholars in rhetoric are increasingly attentive to the power of places and spaces to shape rhetorical performance This article takes up the connection between ethos and location identified by several recent scholars, arguing that affiliation with and representation of material environments plays a crucial role in ethos Ethos strategies are further shaped by genres, which are theorized as locations and environments in order to capture a fundamental dynamic between strategy and social norm To demonstrate the strengths of understanding ethos in relation to both geographical and genre location, I analyze the ethos-maneuvers of Mary Austin, prominent early twentieth-century feminist, activist, and nature writer whose thirty-year public career merits attention from rhetorical scholars In articulating how genre shapes Austin’s efforts to develop her location in the deserts of the American West into a persuasive public ethos, I argue that ethos emerges in genre-specific formations © 2001 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC All right reserved

Early Historic Cities of Northern India

Abstract: (1987). Early Historic Cities of Northern India. South Asian Studies: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 1-23.