Journal of Language Studies

Abstract The study is an exploratory research which generally aims to generate a hypothesis regarding the efficacy of using feedback comments on social network for language learning purpose namely English vocabulary and phrasal expressions based on the university students’ both perception and experience. Teaching and learning have been unceasingly and unwillingly restrained to input exposition in classes without having been considering tie strengthening with the outside, i.e., real world. As teaching and learning a foreign language has been understood as getting involved with the culture, there have always been challenges with the ways how one could have an access to. Additionally, due to social media several methods have been tried out to learn English language better and effectively but less or almost none has yet attended to the use of feedback comments to do so. Therefore, the present study tries to work on the gap and reveal out the role and the strength of using this method to learn or improve English language by getting an in –depth insight in the users’ viewpoint. The study attempts to answer the following questions respectively, (i) what are the students’ perception concerning the use of feedback comments for learning?, (ii) to what extent can feedback comments, from the students’ perspectives, aid to learning English as a foreign language?, (iii) can feedback comments as well as posts on socials networks serve as a worthwhile academic platform for learning English language vocabulary and phrasal expressions? The study aims to gain insights regarding the efficacy of feedback comments on social networks in learning English vocabulary and phrasal expressions. In addition, it intends to unveil the extent to which the input exposition as feedback comments allows for learning English vocabulary and phrasal expressions. A mixed approach for seeking data is used, i.e., qualitative and quantitative. Thus, a structured questionnaire as well as an interview is administered to meet the aims of the study. University students in Kurdistan Region of Iraq at Salahaddin University- Erbil, College of Basic Education are target population of the study. The study concluded the followings, (i) the generation of an explorative hypothesis as EFL vocabulary and phrasal expressions can be efficiently learned due to the interaction with posts and feedback comments on social networks, (ii) having access to experiencing and interacting with so-called virtual authentic culture of English Language due to posts and feedback comments on social networks, (iii) recognizing posts and feedback comments as an extra unique method or technique for learning English Language vocabulary and phrasal expressions efficiently

Abstract The present study is entitled “The Role of Needs Analysis in Designing a Digital Syllabus for EFL Undergraduate Programs”. The main aim of this study is to explore the factors that should be considered in designing a digital syllabus for EFL undergraduate programs. Therefore, the study has set up two instruments to investigate the EFL undergraduate students’ views at Mosul University through a questionnaire. According to the outcomes and the interpretation that were made throughout this study, EFL teachers and students ratify the significance of the role of the needs analysis for any trend of new syllabus design. However, an inadequate consideration of the needs of EFL students has been taken. So, there are recommendations raised through this study for the universities around Iraq to guarantee more consideration for the needs of EFL student before designing and developing any new digital syllabuses. In addition, the capacity needed, and the required training for the adaptation of digital should be taken to enhance and to give more readiness to the universities to improve the teaching experience and skills for both teachers and students to allow them to use digital educational platforms more effectively. Finally, the study endorsed the usefulness and the effectiveness of the digital syllabuses that were implemented in Mosul and Duhok universities. The applications of Google Classroom as digital syllabuses were effectively invested for different aspects of the students learning process. On the other hand, this study reveals many challenges that EFL teachers and students are facing while using digital syllabuses. In one word, it can be said that digital syllabuses and digital platforms are effective, but it requires more consideration of the EFL students’ capacity and skills. Also, the factors that affect the application of such syllabuses should be very carefully taken into the account.

Abstract The spread of Covid-19 virus has complicated the education process as face-to-face communication in class has become more difficult. In light of this issue, the advancement in internet and social media applications has offered a possible and effective substitution for communication and learning between teachers and students. WhatsApp is one form of the social media application that arises to be an easy way to connect teachers and students virtually and an effective method to communicate the visual and written materials to students online. Although 74.5% of the Iraqi people are social media users in January 2020 (Hootsuite & We Are Social, 2020), using WhatsApp as a means for learning is not without issues. This study aims at investigating the frequency of using the application, the effectiveness of the application in the learning process, the preference of using such an application from the students’ perspectives, and the berries that might hinder the use of this application in Iraqi learners’ environment. For these purposes, the data was collected by means of a questionnaire developed based on previous studies in using social media for learning. A random sample of 1200 Iraqi school students were selected from three Iraqi schools. The data were analyzed using SPSS in order to find out the means and frequencies. The findings showed that the majority of students (91.7%) use WhatsApp for educational purposes. Almost two-thirds of students showed preference to use the application in their educational settings in various aspects, such as sharing information and study materials, submitting homework and assignments, discussing study course topics with their classmates or teachers, and enquiring about exams and assignments dates. The findings also showed that a number of barriers limit the use of this application in learning, such as the poor internet connection in certain areas in Iraq, the high cost of smart phones and laptops, and the students’ motivation to use the technology in for education purposes. The findings in this study emphasized the vital role of social media application in the area of education.

Abstract The ability to speak English fluently is one of the basic prerequisites to be a voice which can be heard in every corner of the world. In other words, learning oral English language has become an essential necessity for humans since individuals are integrated culturally and economically closely. It is crystal clear that what you intend to say highly depends on your oral language proficiency and accuracy which helps the listeners to get your oral messages appropriately. The study sets out a questionnaire which consists 25 closed ended questions that has been taken from The Survey on Barriers of Oral English Learning for College Learners in China by Yuehong Wei1 & Li Zhang 2013 with a little bit of change. The questionnaire distributed to the Kurdish learners of English from first stage to fourth stage randomly at Rapparin University in Kurdistan region of Iraq. The data which collected through the questionnaire has been analyzed via quantitative methods. The purpose of the study is to indicate the barriers of oral English language learning, and their accurate scales among the Kurdish learners of English.

Abstract Carly Churchill has a rare position within British contemporary’s post-war dramatists. She is perhaps the most innovative and elusive writer of her age, an ardent advocate of women’s equality and rights. The socialist feminist ideology of Churchill is indeed unquestionably the best of the postmodern society. Churchill lives under Thatcher’s leadership, and she is among the leader who, not just in her nation but across the western world, transforms the cultural and social landscape of the state. This pivotal event appears as a backdrop for Caryl Churchill to challenge how a competent lady in the patriarchal system has risen on the social ladder and what she does for women and the society in her era. This study aims at knowing how Thatcher’s theatre has depicted in Caryl Churchill‘s Top Girls . The work tries to set the effect of Thatcher on women and society in the period of her role as a prime minister of Britain and how her legacy makes citizens be successful in their jobs, but hates everyone around them, including their friends, coworkers, and even their families. The study hypothesizes that Churchill was affected by Thatcherism in her era and this influenced her style of writings. The paper starts with an Introduction of the Top girls play and Thatcher's regime , then follows the methodology of the study and the discussion comes afterwards and it ends with a conclusion that points out the results of discussion

Abstract George Packer is one of the American celebrated playwrights of contemporary political drama. He is very much influenced by the recent history of Iraq which is reflected and can be recognized in his works, most notably in his opulent 2008 play Betrayed. It is based on a journal article written for The New Yorker Magazine after Packer's last visit to Iraq during America's invasion of 2003. Betrayed argues many political and social issues, but it focuses heavily on the US's alleged democracy and freedom so as to prove (their lying) and reveal their hidden colonial interests. Packer shows the audience how Iraqis' hope turns suddenly into a disappointment as a result of the tragic actions that have happened instead of stabilization and peace. Thus, their dependence upon America's good intentions make them ultimately look for asylum outside Iraq. Hence, this paper aims at investigating America's false claims and phony promises of democracy and liberty. It also explores their betrayal which is accomplished in pillaging, looting, destructing, militias, murdering, sectarian dividing, and bombing.

Abstract The current study attempts to investigate how hedges are employed in written political discourse. Its main aim is to identify the hedging devices used in Trump’s letter to the speaker of the House of Representatives on the occasion of his impeachment trial. The study aims at determining the types, forms and pragmatic functions of the hedges in the letter under study. To achieve the aims of the study, an eclectic model of which is composed of Hyland’s (1996) and (2005) is used in the analysis of data. The most important conclusions of the study are: the most commonly type of hedges used in Trump’s letter is content-oriented hedges, reader pronouns is the most widely used form of hedges, and the most commonly pragmatic function used is seeking the reader's involvement.

Abstract English as a foreign language classes are characterized by the cooperative nature between the teachers and the learners. Translation classes at university level form no exception since different types of assistance are expected from the teachers to their students while engaged in the varied translation tasks. As a result of teachers realizing the value of the assistance, they must give students activities to make translation assignments easier and progress them to the point where they can complete their translation work independently. The concept of scaffolding has emerged as a central idea in education. Scaffolding strategies form a variety of teachers’ competent means to enable learners move progressively towards better understanding and, ultimately, noticeable independence in the learning/translation process. The current research aims at investigating the role of scaffolding in enhancing learners’ performance in translation by the two-fold approach it has adopted. First, theoretical by attending to a set of topics and topics that are quite pertinent to the concept of scaffolding in education. Second, practical by administering a questionnaire to a sample of 27 teachers of translation so as to validate the following hypothetical points: The use of scaffolding strategies in translation classes at university level, if any; the use of different scaffolding strategies in such classes, and the role of teachers’ gender and the students’ study stage in any differences that might be in the use of the different scaffolding strategies. The results show that scaffolding is used in translation classes at university level, translation teachers use different scaffolding strategies and there is no effect of teachers’ gender and students’ study stage on the use of such strategies in terms of being different from one study stage to another.

Abstract In the light of the great changes in the world due to Corona pandemic (henceforth COVID 19), and the weakness of communication imposed by the pandemic, the world has found a way to communicate and overcome the difficulties that people face during communication with the continuation of the pandemic. Even with the pandemic, politeness emerges in its most useful form. It is possible that nonverbal communication can be more effective in the current circumstances. Thus, different types of non-verbal communication are employed to express politeness and courtesy such as: facial expression, eye contact, haptics, proxemics, gestures, etc. These categories of non-verbal communication are of great use for effective social communication. They are expressed and used for different functions such as: to show respect and privacy or to express politeness. Nowadays, these cues are employed in an effective and special way to face the circumstances imposed by Corona pandemic and keep contact with others in a save way with the sense of politeness. This study aims at presenting different categories of non-verbal communication in the light of politeness, It also aims at explaining and analyzing different functions of these cues and showing how these cues are affected by Corona pandemic. It tries to answer the question 'to what extent could Corona pandemic affects the use of certain cues of non-verbal politeness. This study concludes that most of the non-verbal cues are corresponded differently according to the situation to express politeness. Non-verbal politeness is employed extremely to serve the current situation imposed by the pandemic. Non-verbal politeness responds positively to the effects of Corona pandemic.

Abstract Lexical relations are important from the point of view of different fields as they are one of the tools that are used in formulating their theories and perspectives. Thus, whenever the list of lexical relations becomes more comprehensive, the theories and perspectives become more thorough. The current research is a try to add and coin a new lexical relation which is called midonymy. This lexical relation refers to a lexical item (midonym) that lies in the middle between two extremes such as the midonym warm which lies between the pair of extremes hot and cold. When one is asked about the meaning of the midonym B, the answer can be It is something between A and C. Midonyms can vary according to the nature of the midonym itself or according to its relation with the two extremes that surround it. Midonyms can be classified into: mixing, verbal, absolute-relative, transitive-intransitive and mutual-exclusive midonyms. The pair of extremes should surround each midonym and a midonym cannot be a midonym if one or both of them is/are missed, that’s why the title of this research shows that midonymy is in need of two extremes. The extremes also vary according to their nature into: antonymous extremes, sequential extremes, orientational extremes, hyponymous extremes and superiority of extremes. Concerning the terminology, the linguistic concept is midonymy, the noun that refers to the one element related to this lexical relation is midonym, and the adjective is midonymous which means something related to or a type of midonymy.

Abstract Vocabulary and style are part of the mechanisms that writers adopt to embody their ideas and leave an impact on the reader. Vocabularies have a distinctive expressive property that allows the writer to depict reality and make the reader see what one can imagine of the world. In each tale, we see the author excel in the area he deals with, such as colloquial, warlike or religious vocabularies, and even the spelling of certain words is very similar to the way these words are pronounced by the characters. Themselves. This study attempts to research the impact of the relationship between style and vocabularies in certain tales of Guy de Maupassant, as well as the spelling of vocabularies in the tales.Vocabulary and style are part of the mechanisms that writers adopt to embody their ideas and leave an impact on the reader. Vocabularies have a distinctive expressive property that allows the writer to depict reality and make the reader see what one can imagine of the world. In each tale, we see the author excel in the area he deals with, such as colloquial, warlike or religious vocabularies, and even the spelling of certain words is very similar to the way these words are pronounced by the characters. Themselves. This study attempts to research the impact of the relationship between style and vocabularies in certain tales of Guy de Maupassant, as well as the spelling of vocabularies in the tales.

Abstract Nabi is one of the greatest Turkish poets in the poetry of Nudhum. He was born ın Urfa in 1642 and died ‘n Istanbul in 1712. He is one of the Divan poets and is famous for this style of poetry. Nab’ has vast imaginations in the field of Turkish poetry, for this pen used to write profusely. Most of his poems were based on the principle of poetry for the people. His poetry was in the shape of a rhyming couplets. Nabi was also capable of popular proverbs and aphorisms. He is the one who established a poetic style for himself along with his contemporaries, that is the style of poetry of Nudhum.

Abstract

There are many aspects of the miracles in the Holy Qur’an, and it was miraculous with its eloquence, rulings and laws, as well as miraculous with its telling of previous nations and some news of later nations as well as multiplicity of cases of rhetoric and its varying levels and methods, we initially chose the topic of “the multiplicity of affirmations in the shortest surahs from Surat Al-Dhaha to Surat Al-Nas.” This study is a huge one and could not be confined in one research as that depend on sources and references. The current study deals with the multiplicity of affirmations in the shortest Surah from Surat Al-Duha to Surat Al-Nas, and endeavor to uncover secrets of these grammatical structures and patterns in the miraculous book of the Holy Qur’an, and highlights the semantic aspects that are related to them, as well as consistency and cohesion between the affirmations and their significance. (Statistical study) from sources and references. I have divided the study into an introduction, three chapters, and a conclusion. The introduction included a definition of the research, its importance and objectives. As for the first topic: - it included the definition of assertion , its types and purposes. The first requirement: - the definition of assertion linguistically and idiomatically, and the second requirement: - types of assertion, and the third requirement: - the purposes and benefits of assertion .. The second topic included: - affirmations in the shortest surah and the first requirement: Affirmations from Surat Al-Dhuha to Surat Al-Bayinah, and the second requirement: - asserting from Surat Al-Zalzalah to Surat Al-Nas.

Abstract

The summary of the research is based on the fact that the political events (the period of sedition) that took place at the beginning of the literary poet’s career, have refined his personality and his poetic flair and prompted him to pay attention to the affairs of people and rulers once and to harmonize with every ruler who enters Cordoba in a hope that he will find in this ruler his desire for the return of Andalusian glory, but he gets disappointed over and over again. And also the strife prompted him to play his literary role in defending the Andalusian character from being lost. The complex of deficiency that accompanied the Andalusian character and its feeling of that towards everything that comes from the East prompted Ibn Shaheed to show this character at the top of its giving, and this was achieved in the critical looks that he came up with, as well as in his poetic philosophy that based on innovation and uniqueness in poetic images. So taking with him depends on changing the poetic image and increasing it, and what his journey in the minions and whirlwinds and the permission of the writers and Oriental poets to show him his superiority and the supremacy of Andalusian literature and that it is an independent literature with its characteristics and poetic arts. Among the characteristics of this superiority were the prose, critical and poetic features of Ibn Shaheed, which are the focus of this study.

Abstract

This research aims to highlight part of the book (Sharah Al-Qasara Fi Al-Tasrif) by the Ottoman scholar Ali Bin Bali, nicknamed Manq Al-Roumi (died. 994 AH), In which he explained the book (Al-Qasara Fi Al-Tasrif) by Alaa Al-Din Al-Khujandi (died. 830 AH). This research is specific to one of the pillars of the science of morphology, which is (an explanation of the types of changes from assimilation, ellipsis, and metathesis). Through him, we learn about the linguistic personality of Manq Al-Roumi, his method of explanation, his method of presenting the material, and his way of clarifying the issues of this chapter.

Abstract Linguistic permissibility is the permissibility and amplitude of speech, as the word may have more than one meaning, with some meanings being preferred over others in terms of context or origin of meaning. This is according to what appears in the poetic evidences in the lexicon of (Lisan al-Arab by Ibn Manzu:r d 711 AH), since it is known that poetic evidences are part of the other origins of linguistic with the conditions known by Arab linguistics.

Abstract

The current research aims to know the effect of the question circles strategy on the achievement of rhetoric among fifth-grade literary students and the development of their contemplative thinking. Its sample consists of two experimental and control groups of (60) students, with (30) students in the experimental group and (30) in the control group. The researcher has two research tools: an achievement test for rhetoric subject of the type (multiple-choice) with four alternatives, and he has specified its paragraphs with forty items, and its validity, stability and psychometric properties have been verified. The second tool that is represented by the deep thinking consists of (30) items that are characterized by validity and stability and discrimination power. The researcher has applied statistical methods such as Pearson's t test and t-test for two independent samples, as well as, Alfa, Kronbach and the Statistical Package Program (SPSS) for the social sciences and has reached the following results: 1- There is a statistically significant difference between the averages in favor of the students of the experimental group who have studied rhetoric using the question circles strategy over the students of the control group who have studied the subject according to the usual method. 2- There is a statistically significant difference between the students of the experimental group and the students of the control group in developing reflective thinking and in favor of the experimental group. The researcher has reached a set of conclusions, recommendations and suggestions.

Abstract

The verbal factor occupied a wide field in linguistics, and the claim of Ibn Madha’a Al Qurtubi to dismiss it was one of the strongest responses to the grammarians. This research discusses the semantic factor that did not get enough attention, so I decided to approach it exclusively from the Kufi’s grammarian’s vision for flexibility purposes in the language ideology that needs some renewals occasionally. The parse symbols grabbed my attention while I was flipping between the pages of Arabic language books. These symbols appear with the Kufi’s’ parse without the verbal factor, meaning without explicit or implicit tools. This language phenomenon appeared in specific Kufi’s grammarian’s context that Basrans did not believe in. Basrans referred to it as implicit lexical. Two of the Kufi’s’ terms are “Sarf” and “Khilaf”. Some scholars are confused between them_as it will be discussed_ As the study tried to root each term and attribute it to its author, the details of each of them and its evidence from the Qur’anic verses and the speech of Arabs in poetry and prose, from the Arabic scholars the term came in the context of his words, and we have been accustomed to mentioning the position of the visuals in responding to the opinion of the Kufi’s by appreciating the verbal factor. And all of this required us to dedicate this study to the moral factor and be supportive for it for the Kufi’s. Research problem: The problem of the research is summarized in the presence of parse symbols that occur in issues of the Kufi’s grammar and the presence of a verbal factor that is without explicit or implicit tools. Also, there are not enough studies about this aspect. Research questions: 1. How to solve the problem of “Khilaf” in the semantic factor? 2. Did the Kufi’s decide to eventually convert from the factor theory? Research Purpose: Based on preceding information and questions, new goals and desires emerged to explain the following: 1. Practical promotion for the term “Semantic factor” 2. Explanation of the role of the semantic factor to explain some of the parse symbols. Research Importance: Achieve the expected goals of encouraging the linguistic medium to decrease the use of the verbal factor as Qutrub says: “ The speaker who will do Raff’a, Nasb, and Jarr. Research Methodology: The methodology used in the research is descriptive and analytic.

Abstract

The research delves into a study of the authorship in the novel “Sadda Makhool”. It starts from an artistic viewpoint indicating that the narrative universe is based on the artistic elements, which construct the narrative structure (action, character, time, and place). The study resorts to approach each one of those elements, reveals the richness and the important role to enrich the narrative universe and how the activities of those elements contrast from work to another. The action materializes and shows up the narrative temperament through which characters vie and conflict throughout the place and time that could be changed according to the narrative ambition that writer attempts to achieve.

Abstract

Proverbs are a culture heritage and a picture of society, carrying with them customs, traditions, and customs that were passed down from generation to generation, as they are linguistic text and grammatical evidence that came as a result of certain events and context. Metonymy and the end of rhetoric, which is satisfactory to the public and the private, and because it is more used in conversations, and to be easy to trade The Arabs brought it out in the lightest of words and sentences, as it is full of meaning and suffices you. The statement, which is also a summary of the people’s heritage, wisdom, and experiences, and since it is indicative of the society’s culture, language, events, and attitudes, its connection and Proverb adherence to contextual theory with its main axes, the linguistic and cultural context, and the situation, is inevitable. Except in the light of the relationships of its vocabulary to each other, the Arabs preceded the West in this, even if they did not call them by the same names. It has a figurative and contextual connotation as well, and since social conditions as well as language are the basis on which the proverbs are said, I chose Firth's contextual theory. To show the value of proverbs and the effect of paving and systems in their semantics, he did not talk about the meaning in its general form, but rather talked about the functional meanings of the compound buildings in sentences according to the linguistic levels of phonetic, morphological, grammatical, and semantic, as well as the lexical coherence and consistency that bring words together.

Abstract

In its narrative formation, the complete story depends on a sentence of elements, characteristics and features that make it of great privacy, including the intensity of condensation, reduction, emphasis, deletion of verbal appendages and partial details to the extent that guarantees it a complete narrative condition. At the same time, and this can be said that the irony of the narrative in the very short story is varied, numerous and multiplicity of the areas it touched, including a fertile story that distinguished its multiple types in enriching the sensitivity on a large scale.

Abstract

This research is based on the manifestations of the semiotics of emotions in the novel (Washm Nasie Albayadh) which means'' bright white tattoo''. It is written by the Iraqi novelist Ali Lafta Saeed. The aim is to reveal the importance of emotional interaction through the events of the novel. This is especially when any narrative act is only an inevitable result of the feelings and emotions experienced by the character. The novel (Washm Nasie Albayadh) introduces us to the subject of war, its tragedies, its impact on the individual, and the psychological state that it leaves behind. This includes suffering from anxiety, fear, tension, and looking for peace and tranquility. Since the semiotics of emotions investigates emotional states related to the self, we will adopt in our study a plan based on a preface and two sections: The first section: lexical and semantic manifestation, and the second section is characterized by “Emotional Chart” which includes formation, preparation, tropical phrasing, emotion, and moral correctness. After reading the novel and investigating the most prominent emotions in it, we conclude that the writer has intensely embodied the feelings of fear until it became the dominant identity phenomenon. Along with the emergence of emotions, anxiety and anger are the closest feelings that overlap with the emotion of fear. The writer used description and metaphor to express and magnify the passions.

Abstract

Writing an introduction is one of the oldest traditions in literary texts of all kinds of prose and poetry. In this introduction, the poet has paid special attention to some cases and the results of this research show that Ferdosi is one of the poets who used different themes and subjects in his introduction Aloz and Begoret for a challenging phenomenon that in this paper we try to analyze the introductory element in terms of content structure in a descriptive-analytical way, to show that Ferdowsi was able to phrase his introduction based on the subject matter of his work In the introduction, express yourself concisely and in the shortest possible time and in the shortest possible phrase, introduce your ultimate goal .

Abstract

This research entitled (Character Dimensions in Karwan Omer Kakasor’s novel Shall I See My Childhood Friend Again?) is an attempt to answer the question: What is the importance of the character element in general and particularly in this novel? If we know that the character is the closest element to the novelist in order to express his views and ideology, then it will be easy to explain the importance of the character in the novel as a kind of narration, because everything that happens in the text, is due to the activity of the characters

Abstract

Our research entitled (the main personality in the Novel "Nights of Adam" by Bayan Salman) it studies the main personality in the Novel "Nights of Adam" by Bayan Salman. Since most of the personalities of her novel, it shows the views, issues and difficulties individual in the society. The significance of the paper is illustrating the issues of individual by a writer. We have used the descriptive analysis method. In the beginning descriptive method has been used to demonstrate the theory aspects then the analysis method has been used to analyze the texts. Our research consists of two chapters, in the first chapter (theorized the concepts of the research) which is two sub-parts, the first sub-part is about the personality concept and the second one is about main personality in the aspect of novel. The second chapter (the main personality in the Novel "Nights of Adam" by Bayan Salman) which. describes the main personality in the Novel "Nights of Adam" . So, the result demonstrated in some points, the references and Abstract of the research in Kurdish, Arabic and English have been illustrated.