/v/ and /w/

Urdu does not have a phonemic distinction between /v/ and /w/. A phonemic distinction between [v] and [w] was not evident in PakE either. The two sounds were realized as allophones of /w/. An example of variation between these sounds was observed in the pronunciation of the word wind which was either realized as . Examples of the variation in use of [v] and [w] are also found in Rahman (1990). The use of [v] for [w] appears to be a feature of South Asian English and is also discussed by Bhatt (1995) and Sahgal and Agnihotri (1988) among others.

Rahman (1990: 33) also discusses this feature in reference to Pushto speakers. He states that Pushto speakers do not articulate [v] in word final positions and gives the example of [luo] ‘love’.

Rahman states that this is an influence of Pushto, which also deletes [v] in these contexts. The realization of [v] and [w] in other contexts is not discussed.