International Journal Online of Humanities (IJOHMN)
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Social Media Portrayals of War of Waters: A Critical Discourse Analysis
No full textAlthough war of waters has existed throughout history, it has gained increasing relevance in recent decades, particularly in regions where transboundary rivers are politically contested. One of the most critical and ongoing disputes is between Iraq and Turkey over the control on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The study seeks to achieve three primary objectives: investigating the types of transitivity processes most frequently used in the politicians\u27 utterances; analysing how the positive self-representation and negative other-representation are uncovered in the politicians\u27 utterances; and exploring the similarities and differences in these linguistic tools between the two opposing sides. To achieve these objectives, the researcher employs a qualitative descriptive design, using an eclectic model that integrates Fairclough\u27s (1989) dialectal relational approach with van Dijk\u27s (1998) ideological square. One social media report is selected and analysed using transitivity at the micro level to uncover hidden ideological representations at the macro level. The findings reveal that material processes are the most frequently used in the politicians’ utterances, highlighting their focus on concrete actions and tangible events. Through these linguistic tools, they emphasise positive self-representation and de-emphasise, or delegitimise, the opposing side. The findings also reveal that in some instances Iraqi and Turkish politicians employ similar linguistic tools to shape their narratives and to ideologically represent the self and the other in different ways. In other instances, they employ different linguistic tools with different ideological representations. A corpus-assisted CDA of war of waters in Arab newspapers could be conducted in future research to examine ideological representations across diverse media
Theme Structure and Thematic Progression Patterns in the Introduction Section of Psychology and Biotechnology Research Articles: A Comparative Study
No full textStudies on thematic structure and thematic progression patterns focused on abstract and discussion sections of scientific research articles. Therefore, there is a need for more studies investigating other sections of research articles. In this paper, we investigated thematic structure and thematic progression patterns in Biotechnology and Psychology research article introductions to capture any significant differences between these two fields. These two fields represent, respectively, hard and soft sciences. Halliday’s (2014) Systemic Functional Linguistics approach to language and McCabe’s (1999) thematic progression patterns were adopted in this study as the frameworks for the analysis. After collecting 30 articles with a total word count of 19,517 words, 15 in Biotechnology and 15 in Psychology, the data was manually analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Frequency count of Theme aspects was carried out using Excel. After that, a t-test was conducted to evaluate the significance of the differences across the two fields. The results indicate a preference for using unmarked Themes more than marked Themes in both disciplines. There was also a similar tendency in both disciplines to use more textual Themes than interpersonal Themes. Finally, the most employed thematic progression patterns were the constant pattern, followed by the zig-zag. The split Rheme and split Theme patterns were rarely used. Future studies need to investigate thematic structure and TP patterns in the introduction section of research articles across other disciplines in order to capture the differences between fields
Unlocking English Language Mastery: A Comprehensive Review of Translanguaging in EFL Classrooms
No full textThe ability to transfer meaning from a source language to a target language is crucial, particularly in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classrooms, which is why translanguaging is one of the methods that enable teachers to deliver learning materials that are not only in one language but are needed. It provides two languages that can be used together to make teaching and learning easier. This article employs a comprehensive review technique to analyze existing literature on the topic and aims to outline the use of translanguaging in EFL classrooms. The researchers reviewed five studies to explore the benefits and challenges of implementing translanguaging in EFL classrooms through its similarities. The findings reveal that translanguaging improves students\u27 comprehension, reduces their language anxiety, improves their participation and understanding in the classroom, and supports teachers in clarifying instructions. Furthermore, this article mentioned the potential of using translanguaging in EFL classrooms as an effective teaching method, providing advantages for teachers and students. By synthesizing a wide range of studies, this article contributes to a deeper understanding of translanguaging in EFL contexts and offers a comprehensive perspective for scholars and practitioners
Life lessons and the Selected Minor Characters in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudide
No full textLiterary texts have multiple characters of different classes who have various educational qualifications and characteristics. Whatever their types are, they are full of significant life lessons for the reader, although they are not present on every page or chapter. They become integral to fiction for their remarkable positive or negative character traits. Readers hate the negative ones for their villainy. The good-natured ones win our hearts for their sweet gestures and benevolent nature. Jane Austen’s masterwork Pride and Prejudice (1813) is her second novel, full of interesting and distasteful characters. It is globally known not only for its unique story but also for its diverse characters. In it, several major characters have touched the hearts of readers of all ages and periods due to their interesting character traits. Equally, the text is well-known for its remarkable minor characters, who advanced the plot. They are not available page after page, but they teach significant life lessons. These selected characters belong to different classes and age groups with interesting characteristics. Among them, some are men and women. This paper aims to explore their character traits and contributions to readers by giving life lessons through behavior, activities, conversations, and thought processes
Rhetoric over War: Indigenous Dialogue and Conflict Resolution in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s The River Between
No full textThis paper explores how Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s The River Between presents an African-centred model of conflict resolution through culturally grounded rhetoric. Using Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis and Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric, the study examines how Waiyaki, Kabonyi, and Joshua as key characters use language to negotiate power, build unity, or promote division. Ngũgĩ constructs moments of high tension that are resolved not through violence, but through persuasive speech rooted in oral tradition and communal values. The argument is that such rhetoric, when anchored in local culture, becomes a practical tool for conflict resolution. The novel stands in contrast to real-world peace efforts that often fail due to external interference and the dismissal of indigenous knowledge systems. The main recommendation is that effective conflict resolution must begin with culturally resonant forms of dialogue already present in communities. Rather than impose outside solutions, efforts should support the voices and rhetorical traditions that have long sustained African societies
Allusion as a Medium of Gender Reconstruction in Selected Chi Nemerem’s Facebook Narratives
No full textPatriarchy is on the threshold of death, and the "survived" children of Okonkwo are fighting very hard to preserve his legacies. The need to preserve patriarchy arises as a result of ideological battle won by feminism and its effects on men and society. This study examines selected Chi Nemerem’s Facebook narratives on gender and suggests that Chi Nemerem engages in narrative gender reconstruction through allusion. Using the qualitative research approach, the study analyzes some of the narratives and finds that the narrator engages in reconstruction of gender in the texts, using allusions to gender. This study concludes that the technique of allusion enables Chi Nemerem to realistically reconstruct gender discourse, even as she utilises non-gender-based allusion as a means to reconstruct the identity and roles of genders in society. The study concludes that in his selected Facebook narratives, Chi Nemerem, employs allusions as a reality check on the positions raised by the feminists, for he employs familiar social incidents as a means of recreating the stance of feminist ideologues
The Influence of Written Peer Feedback on Writing Among EFL Students
No full textIt is commonly recognized that writing is the most difficult skill to master. Hence, writing in a foreign language is even more complicated. Consequently, support is required for EFL learners to overcome such difficulty. This study explores how written peer feedback affects the writing abilities of EFL learners at the university level. It involved third-year students from the English Department at Hajjah University, Yemen. The investigation used both pre-tests and post-tests to measure changes in student writing, and results were quantitatively analyzed. The findings reveal a significant improvement in writing among subjects of the experimental group in the post-test. Such progress pertained to the treatment given to the group. To conclude, peer feedback in EFL writing classroom positively affected writing outcomes
Behind the Digital Mirror: Motives and Body Image Consequences of AR Beauty Filter Use in Morocco
No full textAugmented reality (AR) beauty filters are increasingly used in online self-presentation, raising concerns about their impact on body image and well-being. Existing research has focused largely on Western contexts, leaving little evidence from North Africa. This study examined motives for AR filter use and their associations with self-perception and psychological distress among Moroccan women. An online survey was conducted with 295 participants. Measures included frequency of social media and AR filter use, motives for filter use, self-perception outcomes (body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, anxiety about unfiltered appearance, cosmetic surgery interest, and avoidance behaviors), and psychological distress. Results showed that appearance, validation/mood, and exploration motives were endorsed at comparable levels. Frequent filter use significantly predicted higher self-perception concerns, including dissatisfaction with natural appearance, lower self-esteem, and avoidance behaviors. Filter use did not significantly predict psychological distress, though some respondents reported feelings of exhaustion or harmful self-perceptions. These findings highlight culturally specific patterns of AR filter use and emphasize the need for interventions promoting media literacy in Morocco
Hedging Modal Verbs as Attitudinal Markers in Interpersonal Communication
No full textEffective communication in English is not merely optional but essential, particularly in academic and professional contexts. Modal verbs play a crucial role in enhancing both clarity and politeness in interpersonal communication by expressing various types of modality, including necessity, possibility, probability, and obligation. In addition to their grammatical functions, modal verbs—especially hedging modal verbs—serve as important pragmatic devices that allow speakers and writers to mitigate statements, show caution, and maintain social harmony. This study aims to examine the significant role of hedging modal verbs in facilitating effective interpersonal communication. Adopting a descriptive qualitative approach, the study is based on a comprehensive review of relevant literature to identify and analyze patterns in the use of hedging modal verbs. The findings from previous empirical and theoretical studies indicate that hedging modal verbs contribute substantially to communicative effectiveness by promoting politeness, reducing face-threatening acts, and enhancing interpersonal relations in both spoken and written discourse. The study concludes that the appropriate use of hedging modal verbs is a key component of pragmatic competence and should be emphasized in English language teaching and communication studies
Appropriate Methods of ELT in the Current Indo-Bangla Context
No full textThis paper claims that for any ELT methodology to be effective, the social context in which it is utilised must be taken into account since they represent the ideology and politics of the West, which rules the world by upholding Anglo-Saxon standards, establishing norms, and imposing its ideologies on non-Western nations. The classroom techniques and activities or tasks used in ELT methodology are primarily Western in origin and orientation; they promote the Western learning group ideals, learner autonomy, learner centeredness, group work, pair work, role play, simulation, and drama techniques – all of which are foreign to teaching-learning cultures in the periphery. However, this paper chooses to liberate ELT from methodological imperialism and promote critical, non-prescriptive, locally generated, bottom-up methods suitable for the present setting of India and Bangladesh to make ELT methods appropriate to the socio-cultural requirements of learners and teachers