LEXICAL INSIGHTS INTO ‘EMBRACING CHANGE’ IN PAKISTANI TEDX TALKS: A CORPUS-BASED STUDY

Abstract

This study examines the lexical features utilized by Pakistani male and female speakers in relation to 'embracing change,' employing a corpus-based approach. The research aims to uncover linguistic patterns, specialized terminology, and the significance of keywords
in Pakistani TEDx Talks. This research focused on 'change' to enhance understanding of how language influences accessibility, context, and effect in these impactful public discussions. The data for this research is drawn from five transcribed Pakistani TED Talks centered on the theme "Embracing Change." The primary tool used for data analysis is Voyant Tools, an accessible online platform that facilitates advanced text exploration and visualization. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative lexical frequency counts with qualitative analysis to provide an in-depth understanding of lexical trends and speaker intentions. The findings revealed a rich vocabulary within the corpus, consisting of 10,007 words and 1,652 unique forms, reflecting linguistic diversity that enhances audience engagement. The vocabulary density was found to be moderate at 0.165, striking a balance between clarity and
engagement for a general audience, while the readability level was assessed at 7th grade, ensuring the talks remain accessible and interesting for a wide range of age groups.