Journal of Language Studies

Abstract Al-Busiri\\\\'s poem Al-Burda is considered a verse in art and literature. It is a miracle of its era and the following eras, and it contains scientific material that requires attention. The poem Al-Burda has special moments that we rarely find in other sweltering poems , Al-Busiri paid attention to rare words and commitment to wonderful improvements,In his poem Al-Burda, Al-Busiri deliberately used artificiality, anecdotes, sayings, and sayings of Arabs and their likes. Due to the importance of Al-Busiri’s poem Al-Burda, scholars of the Arabic language accepted it in various eras, and explanations of Al-Burda abounded, labeled as (an explanation of the poem Al-Burda, several for every hardship), and we bring this heritage to light instead of leaving it parked on the shelves of libraries.

Abstract This research deals with the grammatical aspects that prepositions and their genitives can bear, as Imam Al-Qastalani discussed in his book Irshad Al-Sari, in which he explained Sahih Al-Bukhari. Imam Al-Qastalani appears in this book as a grammarian who is familiar with the opinions of grammarians and a narrator who is familiar with the various narrations. The research initially addressed the definition of Imam Al-Qastalani and his book Irshad Al-Sari. Then the research addressed the applied aspect by analyzing examples of the noble prophetic hadith in which the letters of Har and their genitives were mentioned, which can bear more than one grammatical aspect. We explained these aspects in them, and the meanings of the letters of Har. We also mentioned the different narrations of the hadith, if any, that are related to the issue under study, and we mentioned the opinions of grammarians and some interpreters of the noble prophetic hadith on the issue under study. The difference between grammarians had a prominent effect on the difference between interpreters of the noble prophetic hadith, especially grammarians who permitted the use of the noble prophetic hadith in grammatical issues, and took the words of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, as evidence for constructing the grammatical rule and explaining the meanings of prepositions, the subject of the study. It became clear from During the study, the validity of the authenticity of the noble prophetic hadith was confirmed by its agreement with the grammatical rules derived primarily from the Holy Qur’an and the speech of the Arabs. Therefore, the speech of the master of eloquent Arabs was a strong argument for the grammatical rules, supporting them and giving their meanings. Among these meanings are the meanings of prepositions with their object and what they bear in terms of grammatical aspects.

Abstract The protagonist of this poetic play, Cleopatra, is renowned for her relationships with Julius Caesar, Marcus Antonius, and her son Caesarion. The play encapsulates historical and political events, wherein the poet and playwright highlights Cleopatra’s conflict with the Romans due to her political and emotional ties with Marcus Antonius. This relationship deteriorated Antonius’ standing with Rome, as his loyalty to Cleopatra came at the expense of Roman interests. The dramatic dialogue effectively portrays the Egyptian queen's courage, love, and devotion to her people, culminating in a tragic ending, as Cleopatra chooses to take her own life by poisoning herself rather than falling captive to the Romans

Abstract The pivotal goal of learning the language is to utilize it effectively. According to this purpose the given language will be influenced by the psychological and the social aspects. This makes people well-regarded and considerate, increasing their willingness to communicate with others appropriately. Therefore, this study aims to assess the willingness of EFL students to speak in the English language. Furthermore, (77) subjects in the third year at Mosul University/ College of Education for Humanities in the academic year 2023-2024 are chosen randomly. The sample contains males and females from different cultural qualifications. The Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen students are the sample. A research instrument is used to gather the data using the SPSS program. The results showed a moderate and satisfactory willingness to interact and communicate in English. Finlay, recommendations and pedagogical implications are suggested based on the conclusions drawn

Abstract This study will be covering the semantic shift in The Pistachio Seller by Reem Bassiouney, Osman Nusairi (tr.), the English translation. Semantic shifts — the changes in meaning that arise during translation — can fundamentally affect a novel’s characterization, representation of culture and thematic layers. This highlights the thin line that Arabic English literary translation walks between being faithful and being readable. Semantic equivalence must be maintained, paratextual features may be included in order to add a layer to cultural references, and lexical precision will be refined for the sake of accuracy. The study derives its translation theories from equivalence theory (Nida, 1964), domestication vs. foreignization (Venuti, 1995), and Baker’s (2018) view of non-equivalence, to analyze translator strategies. Employing a comparative textual analysis, this study illuminates relevant semantic shifts in lexis, figurative language and cultural localizations and judges their impact on English-speaking readers’ engagement with the novel. The findings show that lexical shifts change the characterization of characters, figurative distortions dilute the novel’s poetic and rhetorical impact, and cultural dilution softens references to religion and society, thus changing the original message. In doing so, the study adds to wider debates around the strategies employed in literary translation and reiterates the importance of these approaches when animating Arabic fiction through translation for the world over.

Abstract Proverbs represent a cultural and social record of the community of every nation, and they reveal how they utilize their environment as a source to enrich their language. Also, they can influence the thoughts and actions of the hearers. This research attempts to explore the pragmatic meaning of selected Mosuli proverbs. It also aims to examine how the pragmatic functions of Mosuli proverbs are used to achieve specific purposes like describing, complaining, stating, boasting, advising, warning, loving, excusing, deploring, and blaming. The present study is qualitative and quantitative in nature. It is based on Searle’s (1969) Speech Act Theory. The data is collected spontaneously from everyday stereotype interactions in the Mosuli Arabic speech community. The findings of this study have proved that representatives and directives are the most frequent types of illocutionary speech acts. The main pragmatic functions used are describing, complaining, and advising, which are utilized to express wisdom and reflect its linguistic eloquence feature.

Abstract This study investigates the traits of Shelley’s Romantic hero in Badr Shakir Al-Sayyab's poem "A Stranger by the Gulf". The research looks at the primary qualities of this character, including isolation, rebellion, internal turmoil, individuality, and deep connection with Nature, showing their portrayal within the context of modern Iraqi poetry and the socio-political Iraqi landscape. Al- Sayyab's employs a Shellean model of heroism to address the complexities of isolation, exile and political oppression. Adopting an analytical approach of criticism, the study Draws on the differences of the Iraqi context, and contends that the speaker in this poem, who experiences loss, nostalgia, and estrangement, is an Iraqi model of the Romantic hero confronted with the agonies of Iraq's sociopolitical reality. The Study focuses on Al-Sayyab's interaction with Western literature, emphasizing the universality and flexibility of the Romantic hero and its adaptability in modern Arabic poetry.

Abstract This paper investigates the role of memory and ghostly presence in the play Sotto Voce (2016) by Cuban-American playwright Nilo Cruz. Set against the historical tragedy of the 1939 voyage of the MS St. Louis, a ship that carried Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution only to be denied entry to Cuba, the United States, and Canada, Cruz's play probes into the psychological and emotional consequences of this historical event. Sotto Voce explores the individual and shared recollections of its protagonists. It is centred on Bemadette Kahn, an old and reclusive writer haunted by her past. She is faced by Saquiel, a young Cuban-Jewish man who becomes like a reminder of the unforgotten old past. He is determined to reunite her with the memories of her lost lover, a passenger aboard the MS St. Louis. This interaction between the characters and the memories allows Cruz to skillfully intertwine the personal histories of the individuals with the larger historical story, evoking a profound and poignant contemplation on the lasting influence of historical events and demonstrating the layers of cultural memory that inform their experiences. Through the lens of cultural memory, Sotto Voce emerges as a profound commentary on how the past continues to resonate in the present, inviting audiences to reflect on their narratives of loss and remembrance and encouraging viewers to contemplate their own experiences of grief and commemoration.

Abstract The topic of migration has conquered literature considerably during the last decades especially those writers that want their writings to be considered as the world literature. Also it influenced a number of specialties such as sociology, economic, politics and etc. But as the case of literature the influence is very different since writers across the world particularly from South Asian have written remarkable literary texts in English. Non English writers have created stories which can be an effective ways for exploring migrants’ experience and refugees’ sufferings in countries away from their homelands. This study explores migration and migrants’ experiences since it has an impact on their lives economically and socially too. Migration is not only moving from one country to another but is a complex process that requires to keep the original values then changing some of them and getting used with new values in the host country. The research examines Samuel Selvon’s “The lonely Londoners, and Mohsin Hameed ‘’Exist west”. The study relies on post-colonial theory to draw deeper analyses and adopts MLA style for documentations, and ends up with the conclusions and the works cited.

Abstract This study examines the connection between Virginia Woolf’s personal traumatic experiences and the depiction of trauma in Mrs. Dalloway, focusing on the concept of trauma contagion. Trauma is typically defined as an experience that overwhelms psychological stability and is often accompanied by symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and avoidance behaviors. Woolf portrays trauma as a deeply rooted affliction that extends beyond individuals to families and society. This analysis contributes to existing literature by exploring Septimus Smith’s character, whose suffering reflects the psychological wounds of World War I. His portrayal highlights the connection between trauma and mental illness, emphasizing its lasting consequences. Drawing from her own experiences, Woolf profoundly conveys psychological suffering, reminding readers of the widespread impact of violence. The study argues that Woolf’s intention was not merely to depict postwar psychological trauma realistically but also to critique its consequences through satire. By analyzing the novel’s context, it becomes evident that Mrs. Dalloway serves as both a representation and a critique of trauma’s pervasive effects on individuals and society

Abstract This study investigates the forms and functions of unfilled pauses in English commercials within the framework of commercial discourse, therefore addressing a major gap in prosodic studies of scripted, monologic genres, which remains understudied compared to conversational or political speech. It focuses on how advertisers intentionally manipulate pauses as language tools for syntactic demarcation and persuasive strategies to enhance audience engagement. By using Praat, the research analyses a dataset of 25 British English advertisements and detects two primary types of pauses: short (0 to 500 milliseconds) and long (exceeding 500 milliseconds). Moreover, it explores the interplay between these pauses and syntactic frameworks, alongside their implications for semantic emphasis. The data reveal that pauses demonstrate isomorphic relationships (55.9%) corresponding with syntactic boundaries, alongside non-isomorphic relationships (44.1%) linked to significant information. The findings emphasise the importance of strategically employing pauses to enhance language coherence, act as persuasive instruments to engage the audience's attention, and underscore information pertinent to the product in question. This study seeks to deepen the comprehension of prosodic features, including pauses, in mediated communication through the synthesis of concepts from cognitive theories and cross-linguistic examinations.

Abstract Academic writing material considered necessary in higher education due to its vast implications in social and professional field. Therefore, several strategies have been supposed to master writing. The main problem of the research is that most students face difficulty in writing a paragraph such as: using various synonyms, describing persons, places, giving opinion… etc. These challenges make students unable to express their ideas in writing which hinders their creativity. In this respect, this study aimed to measure the effect of RAFTS Strategy on cultivating EFL students’ academic writing at Tikrit University where 90 students were chosen from first stage in Department of English, College of Education for Women by using a target sampling method. The study lasted for two months in 2023-2024 Academic Year. The target group received instructions based on RAFTS Strategy, while the second group, which is called the control group received instructions traditionally. Based on the gathered data via post-test in writing, it was found out that the results of experimental group who was taught by following RAFTS Strategy higher than the results of the control group who was taught traditionally. This indicates that the target group outperformed the control group in terms of writing scores and the results of writing test that was administered to them. The results of this study may be useful for the stakeholders who run Academic Writing courses at universities.

Abstract This paper presents a feminist literary analysis of Ursula K. Le Guin's 1985 work, Always Coming Home, focusing on its representations of gender and the challenges they pose to traditional gender norms. In depicting the Kesh, the novel portrays a futuristic egalitarian society in what was once Northern California, which exhibits alternative characteristics to those of contemporary gender dynamics. The analysis draws on Butler's Theory of Gender Performativity to examine how the Kesh society's fluid and non-binary gender expressions disrupt the traditionalist, normative male-female gender binary. It explores how the novel's depiction of gender-neutral roles and responsibilities within the Kesh community challenge stereotypical gender roles. It concentrates in particular on an analysis of the central character, Stone Telling

Abstract The current research explores the impact of ChatGPT, as a partner for peer interaction, on pragmatic development among EFL students. Based on Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural theory, the study uses a mixed-methods approach including pre-/post-tests, discourse analysis of interaction between learners and ChatGPT, and semi-structured interviews with EFL learners of intermediate level. Results show statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in learners’ production of contextually appropriate speech acts, ability to apply politeness strategies as well as sociocultural adaptation of language, parallel to findings of Tai (2023) on language practice through AI. Qualitative data points to ChatGPT functioning well as a low-stakes interaction opportunity and immediate feedback mechanism, which aligns with the principles of TMLL (Blake, 2013). As powerful as they are, however, they still cannot simulate paralinguistic cues or level of deeply culture-sensitive norms (Taguchi, 2009). The study highlights ChatGPT’s potential as a supportive tool for pragmatic development and reiterates the essential role of human interlocutors in nurturing intercultural communicative competence.

Abstract This study explores the cultural and social identities of the Yazidi women through their life personal experience stories. Their personal experience stories are put under the lenses of this research in order to gain a rich and deep knowledge about the displaced Yazidi women and their cultural and social identities. This study adopts the mixed method approach to collect and analyze the data. The data of this study comprises personal experience stories and interview questions of their storytelling experiences. The results of the analysis show that the Yazidi women construct their cultural identities through using different linguistic choices. Concerning their social identities, these selected Yazidi women will not align themselves with the brutal attack against them and will construct their social identities accordingly.

Abstract The current study deals with a linguistic phenomenon in English entitled: Implied Negation on the Lexical Level which means the indirect use of negated words and phrases without employing explicit negators. It aims to (1) identify and classify errors made by EFL college students in using implied negation on the lexical level (2) find out whether there is any significant difference in students’ performance between the two areas of the diagnostic test. To achieve these aims, a diagnostic test has been constructed on forty students from the second stage at the College of Education for Humanities-University of Tikrit for the academic year 2024-2025. In order to ensure the face validity, the test is exposed to a jury of specialists in the fields of linguistics and methodology of teaching EFL who agreed upon its validity and suitability. Twenty students are randomly chosen for the pilot study which revealed that the time needed to complete the test items is 50 minutes. As for the clarity of the items, it is noticed that most of the items are clear and the students find no difficulty in answering the test items. As for reliability, the items are divided into two halves (odd and even). Using the Pearson correlation formula, it is found out that the test reliability is 0.79. After applying the Spearman Brown formula, it is found out the test reliability is 0.89. This shows that the test is quite reliable and acceptable. The results of this study show that EFL College students make errors of different sources of the test. It is also clear that EFL College students encounter more and complex errors at the second part of the test (Using vocabulary to express negative meaning) and that their performance is inefficient in this area. Finally, the study ends up with some conclusions.

Abstract This study aims to investigate the attitude of Iraqi EFL teachers towards the teaching of literature at selected preparatory schools in Karbala, Iraq. Participants in this study are ten preparatory EFL teachers. Using semi-structured interviews as research instruments to collect the information on the phenomenon being studied. A qualitative analysis is performed on the gathered data. The results showed that, first, Iraqi EFL teachers thought that literature is a useful tool for teaching languages. Second, Iraqi EFL teachers consider that literature provides linguistic, cultural, and social values. Third, Iraqi EFL teachers see literature written by native speakers as the best source for teaching languages; therefore, the local (Iraqi) literature has not been preferred to be used by them. Fourth, despite their obvious belief in literature as a useful tool in language teaching, Iraqi EFL teachers are still struggling to promote literature as a way of teaching English. The results also show that the sample of the current study had certain challenges. The first one concerned context issues, which included a lack of resources, technology, visual aids, and an ideal classroom atmosphere, while the second one concerned some teachers, who have a lack of confidence in teaching literature. Therefore, it is advised to continue training EFL teachers to share information and experience between them and provide them the new methods and strategies they need to teach literature and to strengthen their self-confidence.

Abstract Social justice is a fundamental aspect of human societies, with every civilization reflecting its principles in religious, legal, and cultural frameworks. In Islam, social justice is deeply rooted in the Quran and the Hadith, which provide a comprehensive guide to ensuring fairness, equality, and ethical conduct in personal and societal interactions. These texts outline the responsibilities and rights of individuals, promoting harmony and addressing social disparities. This study is considered as a reference for the Muslim and the non-Muslim people, as it aims to highlight the concept of the social justice in the light of Glorious Quran through a pragmatic lens, exploring how linguistic expressions and speech acts convey justice-related principles. It purposes to demonstrate the applicability of pragmatic theories—typically used in conversational language analysis—to religious texts, highlighting their explicit and implied meanings. The research focuses on selected Quranic verses that pertain to social justice. To analysing these texts and achieve these objectives, the researcher employs an eclectic analytical model. Leech's model builds on Austin's speech affect theory and Grice's conversational implicature theory, the research involves a detailed analysis of selected Quranic verses and Hadith to validate these hypotheses, emphasizing their relevance to promoting social justice in religious and societal contexts.

Abstract English language is an international language that many people worldwide, including Iraq, try to learn. As such, teaching and learning English as a foreign language has taken an outstanding position in the educational system of the country. Grammar is essential regardless of whether a language is taught or learnt, and without grammar, no one can correctly write or speak language. There are many grammatical components including prepositions which play a crucial role as they form a crucial part of the structure of both spoken and written English. The proper use of prepositions usually indicates the speaker or writer's ability ability on the part of the speaker or writer to select the right preposition and put it in its right position within the utterance or the sentence. On this basis, teaching the prepositions of English and implying them within the curricula at the different studying levels have been heavily heeded by English language textbook designers. Yet, Iraqi learners of English find it difficult to use prepositions, mainly those of time and place, appropriately as they fail to choose the right prepsitions in, on, at of time and place, and put them in the right context. Setting out from this problematic issue, the current research aims at probing Iraqi secondary pupils' knowledge of the English prepositions of time and place, namely at, on and in at both comprehension and recognition levels. It is hypothesized that Iraqi secondary school pupils do not have good control over the use of prepositions of time and place already referred to and that there are no differences between pupils of urban and rural schools as far as their knowledge of the prepositions of time and place is concerned. To bring about the preceding aims and validate the relevant hypotheses, a test of 40 items (20 on the prepositions of time and 20 on the prepositions of place) has been administered to 2 samples of female pupils, 20 pupils each, at two preparatory schools (a school inside the city of Mosul and another outside the city of Mosul) to investigate their knowledge of the prepositions in question in termns of comprehending and recognizing them. The findings show a low performance by both samples of pupils with a slight difference in favour of the sample of pupils of the urban school.

Abstract This paper attempts to offers a comprehensive overview of the socio-political argument about interconnection of power abuse, moral collapse, and class conflict as represented in Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men (1946). This study at examining Warren's novel with the corrupting influence of power abuse through the moral variation presented by the central character, Willie Stark. Framed through theoretical lenses of Marxist literary criticism and Gramsci’s theory of Hegemony, this study examines the populist politician whose moral collapse reflects the broader deterioration of personal and societal values. The novel tries to describe the intersection of personal ambition and political hegemony, signifying the manipulation of power and populist ideology. This study critically examines the complications around political life and its ethical consequences to situate All the King's Men within the context of broader literary composition, highlighting the exploration of power dynamics and social structures. The study concludes that Warren’s novel remains significant to contemporary debates by disclosing how specific factors as corruption within power structures, the manipulation of public narratives and prioritizing political expediency over moral principles lead to both personal and societal collapse. These forces undermine genuine human values and replace them with empty political promises, highlighting the important contrast between rigid ideological thinking and pragmatic approaches to governance.