Urdu-English Code-Mixing in Literary Discourse: A Content Analysis of Linguistic Integration in Haruf Say Lafaz Tak by Umera Ahmad

The incorporation of English words into Urdu writing is a common linguistic phenomenon worldwide, and Pakistan is no exception. English code-mixing can be observed in various forms of written communication, including books, newspapers, magazines, short stories, novels, and even signboards. This research aims to raise awareness among Urdu book writers about their own use of English code-mixing in their works.  This qualitative study specifically examines the presence of English words in Urdu book writing, focusing on *Haruf Say Lafaz Tak* by Umera Ahmad. One of the key objectives of this paper is to highlight English words frequently used in Urdu writing and their lesser-known Urdu equivalents. Many English terms have direct substitutes in Urdu, yet they are often replaced due to their decreasing usage in everyday conversations. For instance, words like “Enjoy” (ﻣﺎﺭﻧﺎ ﻣﻮﺝ / ﺍﭨﮭﺎﻧﺎ ﻟﻄﻒ), “Raise” (ﺑﮍﮨﻨﺎ ﺁﮔﮯ), “Hell” (ﺟﮩﻨﻢ / ﺩﻭﺯﺥ), “Manner” (ﻃﺮﺯﻓﻦ / ﻃﺮﺯﺍﺩﺍ), and “Maturity” (ﺑﻠﻮﻍ / ﭘﺨﺘﮕﯽ) have Urdu counterparts, yet they are rarely used in modern writing. However, Umera Ahmad, in her book, does not opt for these Urdu alternatives, and many readers may not even be aware of their existence.  This study seeks to explore the reasons behind the conscious use of English code-mixing in her work. Although Urdu has rich vocabulary and appropriate substitutes, English words are often preferred due to factors such as social status and ease of understanding. The English words used in *Haruf Say Lafaz Tak* are widely recognized by readers, making the text more accessible. Code-mixing in her writing appears to be a deliberate choice, making the book easier to read and comprehend.  For data collection, *Haruf Say Lafaz Tak* was analyzed through content analysis, revealing numerous instances of English code-mixing. The study employs a qualitative approach to examine these patterns. The findings of this research emphasize the need for Urdu writers to consciously use native vocabulary instead of English terms, as excessive code-mixing poses a potential threat to the preservation of the Urdu language.