Abstract
This mixed-method study explores the sociolinguistic perceptions of young Pakistani English as a SecondLanguage (ESL) learners regarding the institutional installation of regional language signboards (Saraikiand Punjabi) in urban areas. This empirical framework investigates the ideological journey of the youththrough the economic capital (global) and native language (indigenous) preservation. The data werecollected through stratified digital questionnaire among a group of university level students (N=200) infour different districts of Punjab, including Bahawalpur, Multan, Faisalabad and Lahore. Quantitativeattitudinal metrics processed in SPSS demonstrated high descriptive consensus regarding regional signageas an institutional safeguard against language death (μ = 3.96), though constrained by an acute awarenessof the socio-economic monopoly of English (μ = 4.12). Statistically significant correlation betweengeographic context and attitudinal alignment was found through inferential testing (χ2= 10.66, p = 0.0048).At the same time, a Natural Language Processing (NLP) program that was run automatically using thestandalone Sentiment Analysis Add-in in Microsoft Excel indicated that positive sentiment tokens had avery high representation in the qualitative corpus (64.5%). Independent samples t-test affirmed that SouthPunjab text profiling had a much heavier emotional and subjective load as compared to Central Punjabdiscourse (t = 5.34, p ˂ 0.001). Triangulated through Bourdieu's linguistic capital and Norton's investmentmodel, the findings reveal that learners do not reject regional signage; instead, they successfully negotiatea dual identity, balancing essential economic investments in English with protective cultural commitmentsto their native roots.