Journal of Language Studies

Abstract This research studies one of the tools that achieve cohesion in the text, which is definition and indefiniteness, as a complete structure that meets the conditions of textuality, and the work it does to make the units of the text and its sentences cohesive, and thus achieve the purpose for which the text was created to convey its purpose to the reader. The research took as a model for application the diwan of Al-Sahib ibn Abbad, who died in the yearThis indicates that modern studies have had extended roots in our ancient Arab heritage, and that scholars of language, rhetoric, and interpretation have been aware of the issue of cohesion and have demonstrated its importance, and have even applied the standards of textual linguistics at an early time, preceding Western studies ,After defining cohesion and explaining the limits of the term among linguists and linguists, and defining Al-Sahib ibn Abbad, the research dealt with examples from the diwan of the aforementioned poet and explained the importance of definition and indefiniteness and their role in achieving cohesion in the linguistic structure of the text.

Abstract The topic of textual thresholds is one of the most important topics that has received extensive research in recent times, given their importance in identifying textual texts and unlocking their creative secrets. Thresholds constitute procedural keys that contribute to decoding the textual corpus and uncovering its connotations. Their selection reflects a conscious and influential intention on the part of the author. The title (Thraya al-Text), with all its connotations and types, intertwines with other thresholds and influences them through an effective dialogue that contributes to the interrogation of texts and enhances their significance at the level of structure, formation, and purpose. We chose the semiotic approach to approach the topic of thresholds, as it is one of the most consistent and appropriate critical approaches to approach the topic of thresholds, as it contains tools that help us understand textual signals. This research relied on many Arabic sources that enriched and established the research, including: Semiotics and Titling by Jamil Hamdaoui; The Thresholds of Jenit: From Text to Source by Abdelhak Belabed; The Theory of the Title: An Interpretive Adventure in the Affairs of the Textual Threshold by Khaled Hussein Hussein; Textual Thresholds in the Stories of Nashed Samir Al-Basha by Dr. Narjes Khalaf Asaad; The Semiotics of the Title by Bassam Musa Qatous; and the MA thesis by Ruwa Saad, entitled (Titling in the Poetry of Rushdi Al-Amel 1934-1991).

Abstract Since ancient times, humans have sought different approaches in all aspects of life to derive the most effective and accepted methods. Language, as a powerful social phenomenon and means of communication, has played a tremendous role in people's daily lives. Certainly, language possesses various styles of expression, and humans have long attempted to present the most beautiful linguistic styles in their expressions. Behind each of these different language styles are several social variables (such as age, gender, occupation, social status, etc.) that influence the type of linguistic style. Age is one of the strongest factors in creating different language styles. Human age consists of several distinct stages, each with its own unique vocabulary and linguistic expressions. These differences have resulted in the production of various linguistic styles.

Abstract Language is one of the important tools of life, in such a way that it organizes all the various relationships in human life. Without language, humans cannot fulfill their material and spiritual needs, because language is the bridge of communication between individuals. One of the factors in life that influences language is psychological effects, and these psychological influences are so prominently reflected that they have led to the emergence of a branch of linguistics called psycholinguistics. Language can produce several different linguistic styles, each of which has specific causes behind it. Language and psychology have a direct impact on each other, to the extent that we can say language is a direct reflection of the psyche and also has an effect on the psyche. This influence has led to the formation of several different linguistic styles according to the psychological aspect. In the course of the research, some of these different dimensions and aspects of speech style have been examined.

Abstract The standard language is the existence of a unified language at the level of a multinational state or at the level of several states therefore, a nation that does not have a standard language is under question and is constantly under threat extinction. The Kurdish language, like any other language in the world, has several dialects, each with its own characteristics. Within a certain geographical boundary, the strengthening of these dialects, especially the presence of to standard dialects, has become a major problem the absence of a state and the unity of the Kurdish nation and the existence of more than one alphabet in writing made the task of the Kurdish nation in creating a standard language more difficult.

Abstract This study examines the meaning of emphasis in political discourse in the Kurdistan Region, using the central dialect. Examples were taken from this dialect. This study aims to understand the meaning of emphasis and its uses in political discourse within the framework of semantics and to discuss its functions and importance in discourse. The meaning of emphasis refers to the deep meaning that emphasis carries in language and how it contributes to confirming and clarifying the message the sender wants to convey to the listener.The meaning of emphasis in discourse transcends words and expresses the intellectual and emotional depth of the message, making the content clearer and more powerful. Through emphasis, the speaker can ensure that the message has been conveyed with all its meanings and purposes. The study follows a descriptive approach. This study examines the importance of emphasis in political discourse within the context of semantics. The research consists of two axes: the first deals with the meaning of emphasis, and the second deals with the style of emphasis in discourse.

Abstract Postmodernism is an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the modernist ideas that had dominated various fields, including literature, the arts, architecture, and the social sciences earlier in the century. This movement rejects the authority of grand narratives and embraces pluralism and subjectivity instead of the Enlightenment ideas of reason, rationality, and objective truth. In literature and specifically in the field of playwriting, postmodern dramatists have used a variety of techniques, to challenge conventional dramatic structures and norms. Therefore, the aims of this research is to study the postmodern narrative technique, particularly split scenes, in Tony Kushner's Angels in America to examine how this work challenges conventional narrative structures and themes and how the employed technique contributes to the understanding of postmodern theatre. The study also aims to show how these technique affect the audience's engagement with the work, thus improving their understanding of this play through the lens of postmodernism.

Abstract This study examines how color connotations vary across cultures, particularly focusing on Iraqi colloquial Arabic. It highlights that color expressions in this dialect often embody social, emotional, and environmental meanings that may not translate directly into English. By analyzing (6) specific color expressions used in everyday communication, the research involves translations provided by (5) MA candidates in translation department, college of Arts, University of Tikrit. The findings reveal the complexities translators encounter, as they must convey not just the literal meanings of these colors but also their cultural significance. This underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity in translation, as understanding the context behind color terms is crucial for accurate and meaningful translation. Ultimately, the study contributes valuable insights to the field of translation studies, emphasizing the need to appreciate the nuances of color terminology in different cultural contexts.

Abstract The Jungian archetype of the orphan is a potent representing of themes of loss, resilience, and self-discovery. According to Carl Jung's idea of archetypes, the orphan negotiates a world that is either indifferent or hostile while seeking affiliation and self-actualization, therefore reflecting both vulnerability and possible change. This paper aims at examining the orphan characters depicted in The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson. It tries to explore how orphan characters convey the existential solitude, trauma, and systematic neglect, thereby reflecting more general concerns on displacement, identity, and survival in the contemporary society. It tries to portray how the orphans are depicted as helpless victims of destiny, modern stories usually place them as active agents who question repressive systems, rebuild their fractured identities, and create unusual kinds of kinship. It endeavors to present how the orphan archetype is a vital literary device expressing the changing dynamics of selfhood, belonging, and resilience.

Abstract This study examines the portrayal of the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation ( 7 October 2023) in The Guardian newspaper through the lens of critical discourse analysis. Media bias significantly influences public perceptions and propagates ideological stances. The study employs Fairclough's three-dimensional approach (2001) to analyse textual, discursive, and social dimensions within the selected paragraphs. The problem lies in identifying and uncovering the hidden ideologies embedded in the media discourse surrounding the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation. This research explores whether or not the linguistic patterns and strategies used to frame the event and their ideological underpinnings are free from bias. The study hypothesises that 1) grammatical structures are the most frequently used textual strategy, while 2) presupposition dominates discursive strategies. Moreover, 3) the selected paragraphs are expected to exhibit bias, with 4) informational power being the predominant social power utilised. The findings reveal that the newspaper employs textual strategies such as grammar to influence readers' perceptions, while presupposition is the most utilised discursive strategy. Moreover, the findings expose that The Guardian newspaper demonstrates ideological bias in their coverage, often employing hostile and tendentious language to portray the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation. In addition, informational power is the most common type.

Abstract Misrepresentation, whether intentional (fraudulent) or unintentional (innocent), involves false or misleading statements that influence decision-making. Although misrepresentation plays a crucial role in influencing public discourse, it has been largely overlooked in scholarly research from a pragmatic standpoint, especially within the framework of political interviews." This study highlights misrepresentation in political interviews featuring Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris from a pragmatic perspective. The study aims to achieve several objectives: (1) classifying and analyzing the types of misrepresentation employed by American politicians in American political interviews , (2) examining the pragmatic models used by politicians that lead to the distortion of facts in political communication, (3) determining the frequency and prevalence of violations of Grice’s cooperative principle—particularly the maxim of quantity—in political discourse. To address these objectives and test the hypotheses, the study adopts a qualitative supported with numbers and figures. It begins with a comprehensive literature review on misrepresentation from a pragmatic standpoint. A sample of political interviews conducted by the aforementioned politicians across various American media outlets is collected and analyzed using an adapted pragmatic model for qualitative analysis.

Abstract The study aims to suggest a strategy named (Agency–Based Cubic Strategy) based on learner agency theory. And exploring its effect on students' agency for learning (autonomy, motivation, and self-efficacy). Also to enhance students’ autonomy and engagement by incorporating a structured approach that promotes decision-making, self-regulation, and interactive learning. The sample of this experimental quantitative study consists of 98 Third-year EFL university students in the College of Education for Women\ University of Baghdad during the 2024-2025 academic year. To achieve the aims of this study, a Likert-scale questionnaire of 28 items based on Code (2020). The data has been analyzed using SPSS. The results indicate that implementing the cube strategy significantly improved students’ sense of agency, leading to increased engagement, confidence, and language proficiency. The study concludes that incorporating agency-based strategies can contribute to more effective and empowering learning experiences in English as a foreign language.

Abstract The research aims to identify the effect of the O-Rama strategy on the writing skills of Iraqi EFL pupils. The hypothesis posits that there is a statistically significant improvement between the mean scores of the experimental group, which is taught through the O-Rama strategy, and the mean scores of the control group, which is instructed using conventional methods. To achieve the study's objectives and validate the hypothesis, a non-randomized experimental group pretest-posttest design has been selected. The students will receive instruction during the academic year 2024-2025. A sample consists of 50 pupils in the fifth stage at AL Rayan Preparatory School for Girls, distributed into two groups. Group A represents the experimental group that includes (25) pupils who are taught according to the O-Rama strategy. Group( B) represents the control group, which also includes (25) pupils who are taught according to the traditional method. Both groups have been equalized in such variables from educational level of parent. According to the results, there is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental group, who is taught the O-Rama strategy, and the control group, who is taught by using the conventional method in the posttest. This suggests that the O-Rama strategy is more effective than the conventional strategy. The study concludes with some findings.

Abstract The current study intends to explore the concept of deconstruction in Laura Jean McKay‘s novel Animals in That Country. It argues that the relationship between humans and non-humans leads to the deconstruction of the chain of being. The novel shows that a virus creates a bridge between humans and non-humans, enabling people to understand the emotions and thoughts of animals. In addition, the study aims to analyze a different formal strategy to break down the boundaries between humans and non-humans through conventions. It relies heavily upon the theoretical framework of Ecocriticism, specifically the concept of deconstruction. Laura's language is characterized as a complex tapestry, wherein language transforms into a dynamic entity, serving as a conduit between the human and the non-human, as well as the natural and the artificial. The study concludes that language is a dynamic tapestry that connects humans and non-humans, natural and artificial, transforming into a complex tapestry.

Abstract This paper examines Twelve Angry Men (1954) by Reginald Rose through the lens of Legal Realism. It focuses on the play’s significant critique of legal formalism and advocates for legal adaptation to real social realities. It aims to examine the portrayal of justice in the play and how the events and characters align with the thought that different factors shape law. It demonstrates how the play contributes to contemporary debates on justice and reform in the legal system. Karl Llewellyn’s theory of Legal Realism is central to understanding events in a jury room, which consists of twelve jurors. The play illustrates how a legal realist perspective, particularly in criminal cases, is more closely tied to real-world issues than it is to abstract theoretical concepts. Legal Realism challenges the rigidity of the legal system and advocates for a dynamic one that evolves in response to societal needs. The results show how the play exemplifies the critique of traditional assumptions and advocates for reforms that acknowledge the law's ethical and social dimensions, ensuring that justice is not a theoretical ideal but an attainable reality.

Abstract The human struggle for the survival enters the ideological realm where language plays a crucial role. Through discourse, power is exercised, realities are constructed, and dominant systems are legitimized in favor of those who are in power. Thus, dystopian fiction illustrates this dynamicity showing how language normalizes oppression and redefines morality. The current study aims at identifying the textual conceptual functions of male and female’s speeches in English and Arabic novels. It also investigates the discursive strategies of power-knowledge duality of gender in both novels. This highlights feminist concerns about how patriarchal discourse marginalizes and controls women, especially through representations of the female body. The current study hypothesizes that man’s domination over women can be manifested both conceptually and textually. It also hypothesizes that despite the cultural differences, similar feminist features emerge in the image of women’s oppression in both English and Arabic novels. In order to test the hypotheses, the research follows the procedures of presenting a theoretical background about critical stylistics as well as power-knowledge duality in relation to the theme of power and feminism which concentrates on the traditional assumption that man is the norm, giving the priority of man’s domination over women. The study has selected American and Arabic novels, namely, the Handmaid’s Tale by Margret Atwood (1986) and Utopia by Ahmed Khalid Tawfik (2008).The choice of the extracts is based on their thematic relevance to the study of power and gendered oppression within totalitarian regimes. The models adopted are Lessly Jeffries’(2010) Critical Stylistics as well as Michael Foucault’s (1980) Power-Knowledge Duality. The analysis reveals significant stylistic and ideological differences between the Handmaid’s Tale and Utopia, highlighting how language reflects and reinforces each text’s vision of power, identity, and resistance. It also reveals that power is maintained by making individuals "knowable", that is, observable, examinable, and classifiable, thus rendering them governable.

Abstract The research aims to determine the effectiveness of the ECRIF strategy in enhancing pupils’ achievement in English. The study has been tested the following hypothesis: there is no significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental and control groups in the post-test. A quasi-experimental design is adopted, employing pre- posttests for both experimental and control groups. This study is conducted on a sample of 50 from the fifth scientific class pupils studying at Sada Al-Marafa High Achievers School for Boys in Baghdad City during the academic year 2024/2025. Both groups have been equalized in such variables from educational attainments of parents. The study is lasted ten months during the first semester of the academic year (2024-2025) The findings have revealed that the ECRIF strategy significantly enhanced English language achievement.

Abstract There are many demotivating factors that affect learning a foreign language. The available literature indicates that researchers in the Iraqi context are more interested in investigating the motivation factors than the demotivation ones. Thus, limited research has been conducted to examine the demotivation factors and their resources in Iraq for EFL learners. Therefore, this study attempts to shed light on these factors among EFL learners and the way to reduce through by using language awareness-enhancing strategies (LAES). The study particularly aims to examine the effect of using LAES on reducing or eliminating the demotivating sources. For this reason, a quantitative quasi-experimental study was designed. A 5-week course was implemented on 100 purposefully selected participants from the department of English, College of Arts, University of Anbar. The course provided the EFL learners with strategies related to enhancing their awareness for better foreign language (FL) learning, specifically, learning English. A questionnaire was conducted on the students and statistical analysis was implemented. The results show that these LAES had little or no influence on the learners in terms of reducing these demotivating factors. Therefore, it is suggested that LAES intervention could be integrated with other pedagogical approaches to be more effective in its applicability.

Abstract Writing plays an integral part in interactive communication, and learning its skills (non-verbal), is an essential focus in language teaching and learning. Learners are constantly encountered with new situations, whether in-or-outside the classroom, in which they need to be cognitively motivators to reconstruct their knowledge and control actions toward a desired goal in these situations. Accordingly, the current research is conducted to explore the relationship between Iraqi EFL university students’ Cognitive Motivation and Descriptive Writing. It is hypothesized that there is no statistically significant correlation between Iraqi EFL university students’ cognitive motivation and descriptive writing. Thus, it aims at finding out: 1) Iraqi EFL university students' level of cognitive motivation. 2) Iraqi EFL university students’ performance level in descriptive writing. 3) The correlation between Iraqi EFL university students' cognitive motivation and performance in descriptive writing. A sample of (180 students) Iraqi EFL 3rd year students at the Departments of English-Colleges of Education for human Sciences at three universities; Tikrit (96 students), Baghdad (54 students) and Al-Muthana (30 students) respectively for the academic year (2024-2025) has been selected. The research design of the current research is a correlational in nature through which two main instruments are used, after being approved and validated by a jury of experts. These are; 1) Cognitive Motivation Questionnaire (41) item 2) Descriptive Writing Test which includes two questions they have been developed to collect data. The analysis of the collected data reveals specific results, which are showed as follows: 1) The Iraqi EFL university students have low level in cognitive motivation. 2) A higher level in descriptive writing by Iraqi EFL university students. 3) Regarding the cognitive motivation, Iraqi EFL university students have shown a positive correlation with descriptive writing. On the basis of the above results, conclusions, some pedagogical recommendations, and suggestions for further studies have been put forward.

Abstract This research examines the impact of using language-based puzzles in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction for Iraqi preparatory school students. Its purpose is to determine if and how these puzzles can enhance oral and written communication more effectively than traditional instruction. Quasi-experimental design is applied and 90 first intermediate students in Al-Nidhal Secondary School for Boys, Kirkuk, Iraq are evenly distributed into experimental and control groups. The experimental group is taught with some language-related puzzles like crosswords, anagrams, jumbled sentences, and riddles, while the control group is taught with normal instruction. Pre- and post-communication tests are utilized to evaluate performance of both groups. The outcome shows that there are statistically significant differences in communicative competence of the experimental group, i.e., their vocabulary use and fluency. The statistical tool which have been utilized in the present study to analyze the collection that is T-test for Two Independent Samples to find out the significance between the two groups. The outcome verifies that language puzzle tasks are an effective pedagogical task to construct communicative competence in EFL environments. The study offers valuable recommendations for EFL instructors and researchers who would like to find practical solutions to induce learner motivation and language acquisition.

Abstract This paper analyses the reinterpretation of old monster archetypes now construed as sources of modern anxieties in Saadawi's Frankenstein in Baghdad (2018) and Ishiguro's The Buried Giant (2015). Based on monster theory, myth transformation, and post-colonial criticism, this comparative study interrogates how both texts reimagine established monstrous figures to articulate trauma, fragmented identities, and conflict consequences. The analysis reveals that the composite Whatsitsname of Saadawi and the amnesia-inducing dragon Querig by Ishiguro act as complex allegories for social fragmentation and contested memory in post-conflict situations. Although both emerged from quite different cultural backgrounds—the post-2003 invasion of Iraq and post-Arthurian Britain—both demonstrate how classical monsters can be transformed from external threats into subtle indicators of internal and social fracture. The study illustrates how monster symbolism transcends culture while remaining responsive to different historical circumstances. Monsters persist across cultures because of their profound symbolism in "making sense of the inexplicable," especially in conflict and disorder contexts.

Abstract This paper explores Heather Raffo’s Fallujah as a performative intervention that rewrites gendered trauma by reconfiguring the entwined tropes of motherhood and martyrdom within the context of post-war Iraq. Anchored in gynocriticism, Elaine Showalter’s feminist literary framework that centers women’s writing, experience, and expression, this study argues that Fallujah resists patriarchal and orientalist portrayals of Arab women as passive victims by foregrounding their emotional, maternal, and political agency amid devastation. The research aims to investigate how Raffo crafts female subjectivities that defy hegemonic discourses of martyrdom often shaped by male-dominated cultural, religious, and political narratives. Key questions driving the analysis include: How does Raffo represent maternal grief as a site of resistance? In what ways does Fallujah subvert traditional symbols of sacrifice and honor through its female characters? And how does the dramatization of trauma challenge silencing mechanisms in Arab and Western discourse alike? Methodologically, the study undertakes a close textual analysis of Raffo’s Fallujah, examining narrative structure, monologues, imagery, and character development through a gynocritical and trauma studies lens, particularly drawing on the works of Judith Herman and Cathy Caruth on trauma, and Showalter on women’s literary voice. Findings suggest that Fallujah portrays motherhood not as a reductive role but as a politically charged identity that reclaims the right to mourn, to remember, and to critique. The play’s maternal figures articulate loss and trauma in ways that both disrupt nationalist martyrdom and challenge the militarized masculinities that sustain war narratives. By writing back to patriarchal taboos, Raffo carves a space for a gendered witnessing of war, positioning women not as peripheral casualties but as central agents of cultural memory and resistance.

Abstract Water is the essential substance universally acknowledged by all living organisms due to its critical significance and their need for it for survival. Gaston Bachelard believed that it transcends a simple natural element; instead, it symbolizes the essence of dreams, representing an interplay between the mind and the imagination. Bachelard primarily concentrated on the four fundamental components of the universe: water, fire, earth, and air. He also showed an interest in material components. His passion was manifested in a wide range of works, Earth and Daydreams at Rest, The Psychoanalysis of Fire, Water and Dreams, and Air and Dreams, and others. He used literary examples to illustrate his theory and philosophy on the poetics of water and dreams. However, this study aims to analyze Doris Lessing’s story “Through the Tunnel” from Bachelard’s perspective on water and dreams, based on his book Water and Dreams: An Essay on the Imagination of Matter. It seeks to analyze the depictions of water and dreams within a critical framework linked to the narrative roles and the personal construction of Jerry's character and the relationship of water in all of this construction. It also aims to analyze the elemental imagination of water and dreams in Doris Lessing’s short story “Through the Tunnel”. This investigation focuses on the poetic imagination, specifically the poetic elements of ‘water’ which is the subject of this research. It focuses on employing Bachelard’s vision of water and dreams to analyze the literary applications of water and dreams in the story, and their psychological impact on the life of the protagonist, Jerry, and the course of events. The study concludes that, for the story’s main character, Jerry, water and dreams have a clear impact on the development, refinement, and formation of his personality and his relationship with his surroundings, starting with his mother, his male peers, and society as a whole.

Abstract Most authors and writers of translation had defined the term “translation” and explained it according to his own words and thought. One of those authors is Savory (1958) who said that translation has two types, the first type is “literal translation”, and the second one called “non-literal translation”. Jackobson (1958) divided translation into three types:(a) intralingual translation, (b) interlingual translation, and (c) inter semiotic translations whereas Nida (1964) views translation in terms of formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence. Humor means the mental group of discovering or expressing something in a way or another. It also means to be funny or amused by something that are funny. In other words, one can say that humor means to do something that will not lead to upset others. The study aims at (1) showing and resolving the problems, which face translators when they translating humor into Arabic and (2) Showing in some cases that there is a need to adopt an interdisciplinary approach in order to arrive at a better translation. It hypothesized that (1) there is no one to one formal correspondence between the source language and target language in translating humor and (2) transferring the structures of the source language to target language is the appropriate procedure for translating humor.

Abstract This study aims to investigate the forms of address that exist in TV talks and explain the most breached principle in Grice’s maxims, as well as, to analyze the politeness strategy that is used in TV talks and mention instances of change in ‘forms of address’ and the linguistic politeness culturally associated with the Iraqi dialect in cultural and political programs. The present study is based on the hypotheses that refer to all types of address, pronouns, verbs and nouns that exist in TV talks. It is also hypothesized that quality principle is the most breached principles in Grice’maxims throughout the interviews and that positive politeness is the most common strategy that is used by the interlocutors to make their utterance more polite. To achieve these hypotheses and aims of the study, two different kinds of procedures have been used. Theoretical and practical. The theoretical procedures include presenting a theoretical framework of the theories of politeness as well as its types and strategies theoretical framework also include scientific coverage on all aspects of forms of address in social interaction and explaining about media education, news media sources and audiences’ awareness, while the practical procedures consist of selecting eight Iraqi media Talks, cultural and political talks. Cultural interviews take place with different Iraqi personalities, such as artists, singers, footballers, and content creators. As for the political interviews, Iraqi political analysts are interviewed to discuss various political issues related to Iraq. These interviews downloaded on the YouTube channels. The selected Interviews have been analyzed in the light of three models . The first model is Braun (1988)’s Forms of Address that is used for analyzing the types of forms of address in conversations . The second model is Grice (1989)’s maxims that is used for explaining quantity, quality, relation and manner the speech in social interaction. The third model is Brown and Levinson (1978)’s strategies of Politeness that is used for clarifying the style of speech. The study ended up with a number of recommendations and suggestions for further research based on the study findings.