Journal of Language Studies

Abstract Arabic poetry has known, since its early beginnings, several fluctuations, which were contributed to by a group of different factors, historical, political, cultural and others, as the successive and distinct eras have imprinted each poem and each poetry with the character of its own conditions, and with the fluctuations of history between them, to show us the extent of the ability of these factors and conditions to change the depth of the poem, its form and content, and the variation of its artistic characteristics and its various styles, and it seems that the most prominent phenomenon that a reader of poetry can follow carefully in Arabic poetry is the duality of the self and the group in it, as Arabic poetry since its first beginnings was the subject of two scales, sometimes the scale of the poetic self rises, and sometimes it draws near, leaving room for the scale of the group of belonging. The research deals with the representations of belonging in the poem (It is good to drink wine in seclusion) by one of the most prominent Sufi poets in the Andalusian era, Abu al-Hasan al-Shattari (d. 668 AH), by presenting it in three main axes: tribal belonging to the group, psychological belonging to the group, religious belonging to the group, all of this by addressing poetic evidence from the poem on each axis and delving into its linguistic structure in an artistic depth that highlights this representation in this axis.

Abstract This chapter explores the complex dynamics of narrative time, examining how authors manipulate temporal structures to enhance meaning and engage the reader. It emphasizes that narrative time is not merely a chronological sequence of events but a multi-layered construct shaped by perspective, memory, and thematic intent. The chapter analyzes temporal shifts such as anticipation, retrospection, and simultaneity, illustrating how these shifts contribute to creating suspense, deepening characterization, and reinforcing thematic resonance. It also examines the relationship between narrative tempo and the reader’s psychological experience, showing how micro-level temporal manipulations—such as pauses, repetitions, and flashbacks—interact with the overall chronological sequence to produce rich, multi-level storytelling. Furthermore, the chapter situates the discussion within a broader theoretical framework, referencing classical and contemporary theories of narrative time, and compares linear, circular, and fragmented temporal structures, highlighting how each affects textual interpretation and the reader’s emotional experience. Finally, it emphasizes the active role of the reader in reconstructing temporal meaning, as the interaction between the text and the reader’s consciousness transforms sequential events into a dynamic experiential flow, making narrative time a central element in the study of narrative art and literature.

Abstract Parenthetical phrases in Arabic discourse—especially in the Holy Quran—possess diverse patterns, profound meanings, and significant purposes. These parenthetical phrases in the Holy Quran are worthy of close examination, revealing the beauty inherent in their structures and exploring the rhetorical secrets they contain through study and analysis. Therefore, I will begin—with God's help and strength—to study these patterns, attempting to gather their scattered elements and classify them into coherent categories, as well as to uncover the subtle semantic nuances they contain, to the best of my ability.

Abstract This research, titled "The Effect of Original, Redundant, and Quasi-Redundant Prepositions on Grammatical Meanings" was chosen due to its importance and to demonstrate the effect of each type of preposition on the meaning and grammatical function of the words following it. This will enable the reader to understand the grammatical functions that prepositions perform. Although there are many studies regarding prepositions, this title is original - no one has written about it - and the division of the research material that took place - according to my idea - no one has addressed it - as far as I know - and this is what made the research stand out with a special feature, as this arrangement and division will put the reader in front of a clear map of the effect of the original, redundant and quasi-redundant preposition on the context of the sentence in terms of meaning and syntax. The research plan consists of an introduction, three sections, a conclusion, and a list of references. The three sections are as follows: Section 1: Original Prepositions Section 2: Redundant Prepositions Section 3: Quasi-Redundant Prepositions The conclusion summarizes the most important findings and benefits derived from the research.

Abstract The research is entitled (Argument Structure and Sentence Representation according to The Lexical-Functional Grammar). The research aims to study the representation of sentence structure in the Kurdish language. The theory is derived from the lexicon on identifying two basic components of the sentence (a) constitute structure (b) functional structure. Every sentence in a language is made up of these two components. In this research, we determined the constitute structure and functional structure in the Kurdish language sentence based on Argument Structure. The research is divided into two parts; the first part includes the theoretical principle and the basic concepts of the theory. It also includes the objectives of the theory. In terms of the basic principles and concepts of the theory, the research dealt with the lexicon structure, constitute structure and functional structure. The second part of the research presented the grammatical functions and sentence structure according to Argument Structure in the lexical-functional grammar theory in the Kurdish language. The research also dealt with the principle (function ɸ) to connect and link the constitute structure with the function structure in grammatical structures, especially in the sentence structure in the Kurdish language.

Abstract This research, titled "Political Anthropology in the Short Story Collection 'Something in My Mother's Pocket' by Jalil Kakawais," is an attempt to introduce the concepts and terminology of anthropology in general and political anthropology in particular, and then to reflect their impact on Kurdish literature, especially short stories. The short story is an important literary genre and a significant cultural and social background for showcasing and presenting various political topics in an artistic manner. Undoubtedly, our aim in this research is to utilize a branch of a comprehensive literary critical method, namely "the method of anthropological criticism." We intend to elucidate the relationship between these two disciplines, with the purpose of adopting a new approach to dealing with literary texts and highlighting the common roles played by both anthropological researchers and literary writers in their studies. The questions and hypotheses of this research are: What role does literature play within political anthropology? Can a literary text be considered an ethnographic product? Or what is the relationship between anthropology and literature? Through these questions, we arrive at the belief that the writer, through stories and literary narratives, is committed to political messages and is a guardian of culture, heritage, and the slogans of political and social beliefs, and their stories reflect the topics of literary anthropology. Here, we will try our best to present this topic to readers within the research.

Abstract The title is the key to the text, as it defines the meaning of the text's content and its components in revealing meaning, in a way that clarifies the purpose of the story through its title. Therefore, careful attention must be paid when choosing a title according to the general content and idea of the story, because the relationship between the title and the story is a reflective and indicative relationship. Thus, most research in analyzing story texts begins with the title, then moves to the content, and then returns to the title again. This is done with the aim of linking the title to the content of the story text, because the title has special importance for the reader, as it either attracts the reader to the text's content or makes them turn away from it, since it is the first thing that catches the reader's eye. Furthermore, the title represents those signs, desires, and aspects that the writer uses to express their idea, which has made the title valued as an effective term in story text. In this research, we have addressed this relationship from both theoretical and practical perspectives, with our aim being to identify the fundamental point of this mutual influence between them. The research problem is manifested in the fact that if there is no relationship between the title and content—that is, the signifier and the signified—it leads to decreased reader engagement with the work and raises questions and criticism among researchers and critics. Subsequently, we attempted to examine (7) issues of children's story publications in Jigergoşekan magazine as a sample, where the results showed that these stories possess complete titles.

Abstract Language is the factor that, among all living beings, made us human. We are the creatures that, through language, can report on everything within the world of our minds. The human brain’s storage consists of two repositories: the memory repository, which records those concrete and abstract things that are transferred to the brain through the five senses, and the thought repository, those things that the brain itself produces through its own thinking and creates images and innovations within it. The relationship between humans also occurs through the exchange of materials within their brain storage. The tool through which this exchange is carried out is language. Language converts the materials stored in the brain into vocal codes, expresses them, and exchanges them. This research sheds light on the relationship between language, thought, and psyche, as they are interconnected. Language is the expression of thought, thought is the organizer of the psyche, and the psyche is the source of emotion and thought.

Abstract This research examines the transformations within the Kurdish language across social media platforms, focusing specifically on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach and drawing upon sociolinguistic frameworks—such as linguistic diversity and code-switching—the study reveals that social media has fostered a new digital dialect termed "Digital Kurdish." The findings indicate that 55% of vocabulary is abbreviated and 70% of messages contain emoji’s, leading to a decline in lexical expressive capacity and a neglect of grammatical rules. Furthermore, the widespread use of foreign loanwords, shorthand writing, and the mixing of scripts (Arabic and Latin) poses a significant challenge to the unity and stability of the standard language. The study confirms that digitalization presents both opportunities and risks: while it revitalizes the language and bridges communication gaps between users, it simultaneously threatens cultural linguistic identity. Consequently, the research proposes the establishment of a "Soft Digital Standard" theory consisting of three levels: a unified foundational level for orthography and basic grammar; a flexible level to accommodate shorthand and emoji’s, and a technical support level integrated through Unicode fonts and AI-powered keyboards. This framework aims to preserve the Kurdish language within the digital sphere and facilitate its evolution into a global online medium.

Abstract Economizing words and phrases to convey meaning in the most effective and concise way, using the fewest words to create the greatest poetic impact, refers to economy in poetic language. This research, titled "(Styles of Linguistic Economy in the Poetry of Tala'at Tahir, exemplified by his poetry collection 'Your Name is My Signature')," is a descriptive analytical study. Linguistic economy refers to saving in linguistic tools, as a speaker or poet seeks to reduce physical or mental effort in expression, while achieving an expected benefit that creates a balance between effort and outcome. Poetic economy can be linked to the art of rhetoric in conciseness, where the poet reduces the number of words to make the text more effective and powerful, provided that ambiguity is not created. This includes using a single word that carries multiple meanings or avoiding the repetition of words and phrases if possible. Economizing in poetic language aims to achieve a precise balance between the use of linguistic elements and expressions, to ensure the beauty and strength of the poetic text, and to avoid excessive use of linguistic tools in inappropriate places, provided that ambiguity is not created. In short, economy in poetic language is the art of using words with utmost care, in such a way that each word carries its own weight and meaning, creating a solid and powerful poetic text that achieves a balance between conciseness and rhetoric, as well as between the effort expended and the intended goal. This research utilized the methods of (substitution, abbreviation, deviation) in linguistic economy, and applied them to all linguistic levels. It consists of two sections, along with the abstract in Arabic and English, as well as an introduction, results, and a list of sources.

Abstract There are three prominent figures of the end times: the Mahdi, Jesus and the Antichrist. Hence the work endevor to elaborate those figures. Max Weber, especially, demonstrates the concept of leadership and his role in religious, social, and economic change, which has been taken into consideration in the work. This is included and analysed in the poems of the poets based on the content of Max Weber’s Charismatic Leader. In the poet's poems, these faces Mahdi and Jesus (peace be upon them) as the religious leader of the saviour, the Antichrist, have been depicted as a deceiver, a subversive, and an anti-liberationist, more than in his religious role, not only in his poems. Moreover, the work reflects religious and traditional beliefs, as well as social and political efforts, national identity challenges, and foreign occupation; injustice and inequality are among the symptoms. Among the themes are salvation, social change, and defence against the unpleasant and corrupt influences of environments. Also, this research, by studying several examples of ancient proverbs, shows several ways to save in Kurdish literature. There is always a meaningful connection between literature, religion, and society, especially in relation to the history of Kurdistan during the early twentieth century. In these poems, the liberators embody a map of change, representing societies often excluded from the viewpoints of an oppressed nation.

Abstract This study investigates the linguistic and translational impact of gemination on verb transitivity in Arabic and examines how these effects are rendered in English translations. The study aims at examining how gemination in Arabic verbs affects their transitivity, meaning, and syntactic structure as well as identifying and analyzing the translational shifts that take place when geminated Arabic verbs are rendered into English. It is hypothesized that there is a key relationship between gemination in Arabic verbs and changes in their transitivity and the process of translating Arabic geminated verbs into English leads to shifts in verb transitivity and semantic intensity. The research adopts a qualitative approach using a purposive sample of five Qur'anic verses and their corresponding English translations. The analysis focuses on identifying geminated verbs, classifying their transitivity, and examining the shifts and strategies employed in English translations. Data are analyzed through a dual-model framework: a linguistic model grounded in Arabic morphological theory, and a translation model based on grammatical equivalence and translation shift theory. The findings show that geminated verbs in Arabic undergo semantic weakening or structural transformation when translated into English. Translators often resort to expansion, omission, or paraphrasing to convey the intensity and altered transitivity of the original verbs.

Abstract This study adopts a postcolonial framework to examine how Claudia Rankine addresses the complexity of Black identity and cultural diversity in her poetry, with a focus on her acclaimed collection Citizen: An American Lyric. Through the lens of postcolonial concepts such as hybridity, the Third Space, and cultural negotiation, the research investigates how Rankine challenges rigid definitions of Blackness. Her portrayal of identity is neither fixed nor singular; rather, it emerges as fluid and multi-dimensional, shaped by intersections of race, gender, migration, and belonging. By utilizing hybrid poetic forms, fragmented narratives, and vivid imagery, Rankine exposes the realities of systemic racism, everyday microaggressions, and the lasting effects of colonial histories. Her poetry not only critiques these structures of power but also offers space for rethinking Black identity as something evolving, relational, and resistant to simplification. This study adds something new by focusing on Claudia Rankine's poem "Coherence in Consequence", a piece that has received little critical attention. By examining this specific poem, the research gives space to a lesser-known part of her work and shows how it contributes to important discussions about identity, race, and belonging in postcolonial literature.

Abstract The main aim of this study is to investigate the usefulness of technology-based instruction in EFL classroom and its impact on EFL learners’ academic achievement from teachers' and students' points of view. To meet the study objectives, researchers have focused on two constructs: effects of the electronic mode of instruction, and students' academic achievement. The sample characterized statistically comprises 100 faculty members and learners (40 teachers and 60 students). Two types of researcher-developed questionnaire are used for data collection. Findings indicated that technology-mediated instruction is a cornerstone in improving EFL teaching. Students’ engagement, learning effectiveness and student creativity can be influenced by this instruction. The overall mean value of 3.95 indicates that there is a considerable agreement among respondents regarding technology and its influence on EFL teaching. A mean score of 4.08 indicates that EFL students’ academic performance has improved, particularly when the students acquire new knowledge and develop their linguistic skills. The findings also show how the instructors can benefit from the various range of assessment methods in their classes, depending on different technological facilities that attract the students’ attention and increase their motivation for learning.

Abstract To investigate the longitudinal development of collocational and formulaic language competence among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' academic writing, the researcher conducted a study on the British Academic Written English (BAWE) corpus, and analyzed academic texts developed by EFL learners across various educational levels to recognize patterns in the use of collocations and formulaic sequences. To this end, these linguistic features' frequency, variety, and accuracy were examined over time. Findings showed a significant increase in the use of collocations and formulaic sequences as students’ progress academically, with significant growth in both the diversity and appropriateness of usage. The study highlights the importance of explicit instruction and increased exposure to authentic language input in developing phraseological competence. The study provided pedagogical implications for curriculum designers and instructional strategies addressing EFL students' academic writing proficiency.​

Abstract The current study aims at finding out the effect of the 4As (Anchor, Add, Apply, Away) model on EFL preparatory school pupils’ achievement in the English language. It also investigates the differences between the mean scores in the pre-test and post-test of the experimental group who were taught according to the 4As model. The study sample consisted of 70 fourth pupils at Al-Alm Secondary School for Boys in Salah Al-Din, Iraq. These pupils were divided into two groups: the experimental group (taught using the 4As model) and the control group (taught using the prescribed model), with 35 pupils in each. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design involving pre- and post-tests to measure achievement in English. Both groups were matched in terms of age, prior achievement in English, and parents’ academic background. The experiment lasted for ten weeks during the first semester of the 2024–2025 academic year. The statistical analysis, including t-tests, revealed that the experimental group showed significantly higher achievement scores in the post-test compared to the control group. The study finds out that the 4As model has a positive impact on EFL pupils’ achievement in English. Based on these results, the researcher provides recommendations for incorporating the 4As model in language instruction.

Abstract Ray Nayler’s The Mountain in the Sea (2022) qualifies as an interesting narrative about the rising use of technology in postmodern reality. The novel opens up new horizons for exploration and analysis of the way we observe the world. Thus, this paper attempts to explore and analyze the novel through the binoculars of postcolonial theory and posthumanism. The paper also analyzes the way the novel exemplifies modern forms of colonization perpetuated by the exploitation of both humans, nonhumans and android robots by a corporation. The paper will provide other ways of criticism through questioning private corporations that serve human-centrism. The novel also challenges anthropocentric treatment of the corporate which functions as centralist agency manipulating intelligence and agency of human, nonhumans and androids alike. The paper reminds us that colonial legacy is still and sound to these days and that other forms of exploitation and manipulations are underway to serve the policies of sense-less entities such as DIANIMA in the novel. Through both posthumanism and postcolonialism, this paper argues that Nayler’s narrative is an attempt towards redefinition of interspecies ethical respect and responsibility in their mutual struggle for justice. This interdisciplinary reading argues that ethical responsibility in the Anthropocene must transcend species boundaries, challenging the ongoing colonial patterns that exploit both human and nonhuman life and sentient consciousness.

Abstract This paper reviews the translation errors committed by translation students as they render English political texts into Arabic. It also shows to what extent translation errors resulted from students' translations of these text. This study aims at identifying the main problems of translation errors in the final product of ST. It also categorizes the translation errors into different types according to its origin. It also aims at showing the significant strategies employed by the students to render the political text. This study hypothesizes that the students always face problems in rendering the political texts from English into Arabic and not preserving the right meaning. The researchers employ Liao's Model of Translation Errors to identify errors. This model covers three aspects including language errors, rendition errors, and miscellaneous errors and other sub-categories that come under the main ones. The data have been collected as political texts from different sources and the subjects are from third stage/ Department of Translation/ College of Arts/ University of Tikrit the academic year 2024/2025. This study represents a significance in the field of teaching translation because it shows what the drawbacks and what errors committed by the students.

Abstract Gemination involves articulating a consonant twice due to muscle tension. This study analyzes gemination in the Qur'an concerning English, focusing on its pragmatic functions and phonological distinctions. While well-documented in Arabic, its interpretive implications in the Qur'an are underexplored. Using qualitative analysis and a Context Model, which is a theoretical framework initially proposed by van Dijk in 2008 and further developed in 2009, forms the foundation of this study. The problem of this study revolves around analyzing selected Ayahs to determine how the dual roles of phonology and pragmatics contribute to the understanding of gemination in the Glorious Qur'an. It examines how gemination affects interpretation, analyzing acoustic features with Pratt software to investigate the phonological features that differentiate between geminated and ungeminated lexical items, showing gemination contributes to distinctions in meaning. More importantly, it explores how gemination influences the interpretation of specific Ayahs. The study examines how gemination shapes meaning, emphasis, and theological nuances, hypothesizing it as a rhetorical device that enhances understanding and interpretation. Combining classical tafsīr analysis with acoustic phonetics, it finds gemination is not just phonological but a deliberate communication device that amplifies meaning and auditory impact.

Abstract This study employs Positive Discourse Analysis to examine the linguistic strategies used in delivering advice to young people on the Lex Fridman Podcast. Focusing on episodes featuring influential guests, the research explores how discourse fosters empowerment, resilience, and ethical development in young listeners. Drawing on Martin and White’s (2005) Appraisal Theory—particularly Attitude (Affect, Judgment, Appreciation)—the analysis highlights how speakers construct motivational, value-driven messages. Findings reveal that advice in this context emphasizes self-discovery, moral responsibility, and the constructive use of individual talents for communal benefit. The study contributes to discourse analysis by demonstrating how Positive Discourse Analysis can uncover uplifting, solution-oriented communication in digital media, offering insights into the role of mentorship and positive reinforcement in youth development.

Abstract The current study tackles sarcasm in Instagram comments and specifically form a gender-based perspective. It deals with how men and women use sarcasm in their comments on social media and specifically on Instagram. The study aims at analyzing 80 out of 600 comments from Piers Morgan’s show ‘uncensored’ using Camp (2011) model of sarcasm for analysis. The model categorizes sarcasm into four types: propositional sarcasm, lexical sarcasm, ‘like’ prefixed sarcasm and finally illocutionary sarcasm. The study uses a descriptive qualitative method in gathering and examining the data. The findings of the study show that men use sarcastic comments more than women in general. However, one type is used more by women than men.

Abstract The study examines Chantal Bilodeau’s play Sila by applying the principles of deep ecology, which critiques anthropocentric views, highlighting how these views led to feelings of alienation and environmental despair, while at the same time advocating for the close relationship between humans and nonhuman creatures. In a world marked by climate change and environmental upheaval, theatre becomes a powerful medium for reflecting ecological issues. The play exposes the consequences of human actions on nature and the characters’ inability to acknowledge and engage with the natural world. Despite greater awareness of ecological issues, there is a deficiency in how narratives capture the sense of alienation and despair in the environmental crisis. This study further investigates how Sila represents these feelings and demonstrates how theatre can serve as a platform for increasing awareness of ecological crisis. Furthermore, it investigates the characters’ accountability to future generations. Through the analysis of the characters’ actions and the thematic elements, this research underlines how Sila successfully discovers a lack of deep ecological principles, promoting the idea of interconnectedness between humans and the natural world.

Abstract This study investigates the effect of the SAID/SODA strategy on the writing skills of Iraqi EFL (English as a Foreign Language) pupils. The study aims to evaluate the improvement in writing performance, including vocabulary usage, fluency, accuracy, and coherence, through the application of these two vocabulary-based strategies. The research is conducted with fifth-grade preparatory pupils at Manarat Al-Ulum Private Secondary School for Boys in Kirkuk during the 2024-2025 academic year with sample (70) of boys. A quasi-experimental design is employed, comparing an experimental group taught using the SAID/SODA strategy with a control group using traditional teaching methods. The results demonstrate that the experimental group showed significant improvement in their writing skills, especially in terms of vocabulary usage, structure, and overall writing fluency. This study emphasizes the importance of interactive and student-centered strategies in enhancing EFL writing instruction. The findings suggest that the SAID/SODA strategy can be a valuable tool for EFL teachers in Iraq and similar contexts, offering effective methods to improve writing proficiency through vocabulary development.

Abstract In all discourses, people are not talking to themselves but rather interacting with others. This is referred to as dialogic, which is the essence of pragmatics in narratology. Making someone understand what you are communicating is the concern of pragmatics, as it deals with language in context by specifying the motivation of discourse at a given moment. These must involve some linguistic and pragmatic activities to help the hearer/reader comprehend the meaning of the narratives represented in "languages" and direct authorial discourse organized in the form of a conglomeration of heterogeneous linguistic and stylistic forms in a real sense of style. Trying to elicit these features from this communication whether being written or oral is the essence of this research. This study draws upon a set of foundational concepts in the thought of Mikhail Bakhtin (1981) which will be systematically employed to explicate the theoretical and applied dimension of the subject under investigation as dialogism, polyphony, heteroglossia, and chronotope and their relatedness with areas of pragmatics. The analysis utilizes 35 corpuses of online data gathered from various debates at the UN Security Council Meeting and other sources, such as online media outlets reporting on world reactions to the Syrian regime change. The results explore how narrative techniques shape meaning, speaker intent and listener interpretation within a specific context and dealing with the Bakhtin’s oeuvre is not only an illustration of what a dialogic world looks like with its strong philosophical keystones, but also providing us with sharp analytical tools to detect and create dialogical texts.

Abstract This research studies David Lescot’s trilogy, which tells the story of a child who goes through three steps, beginning with his entry into middle school and the start of changes in his environment and friends. He embarks on this journey with great fear and anxiety, then moves on to forming new relationships with his classmates, and then sets out in search of inner peace amid this major change in age, places and others. His journey ends with him forming beautiful friendships with his classmates, before moving on to his final journey, where he learns about nature, its beauty, and the secrets of working and living in it. The study addressed the theme of fear in the first play as a factor of challenge and a sign of adaptation to reality. It sought to explore the motions of a child preparing to join his classroom. It also approached fear as a threshold into the unknown. In the second play, the study examined how new friendships contribute to strengthening self-confidence and encourage the assumption of a leadership role. In the third play, it highlighted the conclusion of his exploratory journey, as well as the nature of the transformation in personnel identity and the reconciliation with oneself.