Arts for Linguistic & Literary Studies is a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal, issued by the Faculty of Arts, Thamar University, Republic of Yemen. It publishes original studies and papers by researchers from inside and outside Yemen, in Arabic, English and French. It is specialized in publishing papers in the fields of languages and literature. All papers received by the journal are subject to scientific and linguistic evaluation procedures. They are being sent to specialized experts with higher academic qualifications to check their appropriateness for publication according to their importance, originality, novelty, and feasibility. The journal is issued in a regular basis, on specific dates, every three months. It comes up with four issues each year, distributed over the following months: March, June, September, and December. The first issue was published in 2019. The journal is indexed in local and international databases, including: Dar Al-Mandhuma, the Arabic digital database Marefa, Askzad, Crossref, Google Scholar. The journal has got the following international standard codes: ISSN: 2707-5508 EISSN: 2708-5783 Local Number: 1631-2020 The International Document Number: the DOI: https://doi.org/10.53286/2118, and it seeks to be one of the top journals in its specialty. For more information on the journal, kindly contact us through the following email address: artslinguistic@tu.edu.ye
كلية الآداب - جامعة ذمار - الجمهورية اليمنية Faculty of Arts - University of Thamar - Republic of Yemen
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Cultural Hybridity in the Postcolonial Fiction: A Comparative Study of Season of Migration to the North and Admiring Silence
This study examines the representation of cultural hybridity in two postcolonial novels: Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih and Admiring Silence by Abdulrazak Gurnah. Both protagonists serve as central figures for exploring hybridity, having lived through colonial and post-independence periods, studied in England, and acquired its language and culture. Despite these shared experiences, neither succeeds in achieving integration or establishing an in-between space for hybrid identity. the paper begins with an overview of Homi Bhabha’s theory of cultural hybridity, followed by an analysis of how hybridity is portrayed through the protagonists in the two novels. It then addresses the failure of hybridity and incorporates critical perspectives from Western scholars. The study concludes that, although hybridity reflects cultural interaction between colonizer and colonized, it remains confined within the dominance of colonial discourse and its narratives of representing the “Other.” By comparing the two works, the research highlights the complexities of identity formation and the inherent challenges in transcending colonial structures.
Copyright (c) 2025 علياء محمود باكير https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Fictionalization of Reference in Mohammed Hasan Alwan’s Novel A Small Death
This paper explores the concept of the fictionalization of reference in Mohammed Hasan Alwan’s A Small Death, examining how autobiographical techniques typically associated with referential discourse are reshaped within a fictional narrative framework. Using a narratological–generic approach informed by semiotic interpretation, the study investigates three dimensions: the challenge of generic classification, the novel’s referential grounding in Ibn Arabi’s historical life and context, and its fictional construction through textual thresholds and spiritual insights. The findings suggest that A Small Death can be situated generically as a “novel of character,” blending referential material tied to biography and history with imaginative elements derived from a symbolically rich Sufi lexicon. This synthesis highlights how the novel negotiates the tension between documentation and imagination, producing a hybrid discourse that invites interpretive reading across the boundaries of history, fiction, and spirituality.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Poetics of Space in The Other Shore by Mohammed Jibril
This study explores the narrative functions of time and space in Mohammed Jibril’s novel The Other Shore. Drawing on modern narrative theory, the research highlights how time and space are not merely background elements but vital components that shape events and influence character interactions. Jibril stands out among Arab novelists for his precise and ideologically charged depiction of spatial and temporal settings. The study is divided into an introduction that traces the role of space and time in contemporary narrative analysis, followed by two main sections focusing respectively on the spatial and temporal structures within the novel. Findings indicate that Jibril meticulously constructs the novel’s space to reflect the cultural identity and ideological undercurrents of the narrative. Temporally, the plot unfolds linearly, with occasional flashbacks that return to the story’s origins, revealing deeper layers of meaning and character motivation.
Psychological and Social Alienation in the Autobiographical Novel I Saw Ramallah by Mourid Barghouthi
This study investigates psychological and social alienation in Mourid Barghouthi’s autobiographical novel I Saw Ramallah, portraying exile as a transformative experience that reshapes the Palestinian self both emotionally and socially. Employing sociological and psychological frameworks, the research traces the protagonist’s return after decades of displacement, revealing that repatriation does not dissolve alienation but amplifies it, as the reality of the homeland diverges sharply from its imagined image. The novel captures the complex interplay between personal estrangement and collective dislocation, reflecting the fragmentation of a people suspended between a lost homeland, a substitute exile, a conditional return, and an evolving identity. It further illustrates how language functions as a mirror of alienation, encapsulating the tension between memory and present reality. Through its narrative, I Saw Ramallah underscores the existential rupture experienced by the exiled Palestinian under the weight of political oppression and fluid social contexts, demonstrating that the end of physical exile often marks the beginning of a deeper, more profound estrangement.
Mechanisms of the Implied Reader in al-Jahiz’s Epistle The Preference of Speech over Silence in Light of Reception Theory
This study investigates the mechanisms of the implied reader in al-Jahiz’s epistle The Preference of Speech over Silence through the lens of Reception Theory. After introducing the epistle and outlining Wolfgang Iser’s concept of the implied reader, the research analyzes selected mechanisms that shape the reader’s interaction with the text. On the formal level, it focuses on linguistic, rhetorical, and stylistic devices—such as sajʿ (rhymed prose), allusion, and other embellishments—which create interpretive gaps that the implied reader actively fills while engaging with the author’s ideas. On the semantic level, the study explores religious, social, and psychological dimensions that guide the implied reader toward deeper comprehension and foster responsive interaction with the text. The findings reveal that al-Jahiz consistently demonstrates respect for the recipient by diversifying his rhetorical and linguistic techniques to ensure sustained engagement. They also highlight his attentiveness to the cultural, religious, and psychological contexts of his readers, which allowed him to present his arguments in a compelling style that secures continuous reader involvement and directs the interpretation of his central message.
Scenographic Elements in the Play The Great Encounter
This study investigates the scenographic elements employed in the theatrical performance The Great Encounter, which articulated the theme of tolerance and peace against the backdrop of war. The performance gained particular significance for merging two short plays by Ali Ahmad Bakatheer (d. 1969), reimagined in an experimental vision by playwright and director Ali Ahmad Yafiʿi, and staged on December 10, 2018, at the Hafon Theatre in Aden. The analysis highlights the major scenographic components of the production: the interplay between text and performance in terms of writing, meaning, staging, and adaptation; the scenographic space shaped by stage design, perspective, and collage techniques; lighting and sound as central auditory and visual devices; and finally, the role of actors and costumes as interrelated material elements laden with semiotic significance. The findings demonstrate that, despite limited material resources, the performance effectively mobilized available scenographic components within an experimental aesthetic, integrating visual and auditory elements in ways that enriched the semiotic depth of the staging and reinforced its core message affirming the values of tolerance and peace.
The Theoretical Approach of Contemporary Arab Poets Toward Myth in Light of Salah Abdel Sabour’s Poetry
This paper investigates the theoretical perspective of contemporary Arab poets toward myth, focusing on the poetry of Salah Abdel Sabour as a case study. It examines how myth has been conceptualized and employed within modern Arabic literature, drawing on both Arab and Western critical frameworks. The study is built on a literary-analytical methodology that reads Abdel Sabour’s poetic works in light of the mythic imagination, highlighting how mythological references enrich poetic meaning and intensify emotional expression. The research covers the definition of myth, the aesthetic and functional dimensions of the mythic approach, and its integration into poetic structure and modern Arab thought. Findings indicate that myth constitutes a core element of artistic creativity in contemporary Arabic poetry, offering poets a symbolic and psychological language to articulate their inner states. The study also underscores the influence of interdisciplinary frameworks—such as psychoanalysis, symbolism, comparative mythology, and religious and literary traditions—on the evolution of the mythic approach in modern Arabic criticism. By situating poetry within this broader mythopoetic and critical context, the research affirms myth’s enduring role as both a creative device and a tool of existential reflection in modern Arab poetic discourse.
Death in If the Night Drowns Me by Abdullah al-Fayfi: A Stylistic Study
This paper examines Abdullah al-Fayfi’s poetic vision of death in his debut collection If the Night Drowns Me, where death emerges as a pervasive theme articulated through abundant vocabulary, imagery, and symbolism. Using a stylistic approach, the study analyzes three dimensions: the lexicon of death, the binary opposition of life and death, and the personification of abstractions. The findings demonstrate that al-Fayfi constructs a dialectic in which death is intricately interwoven with life, freedom, triumph, and abstract concepts, producing creative oppositional binaries. The collection presents multiple poetic scenes of death, including the martyrdom of a Palestinian child, the biblical narrative of Cain and Abel, and the experience of orphanhood. Furthermore, the personification of abstract entities—treated as living beings subject to death—reveals the poet’s strategy of imbuing abstractions with vitality and then withdrawing it to heighten symbolic significance. This stylistic employment positions death not merely as an endpoint but as a generative force that reshapes poetic meaning and enriches the thematic structure of the collection.
The Dramatic Tendency in the Poetry of ʿUrwa ibn al-Ward
This study explores the dramatic dimension in Ṣuʿlūk poetry, with particular focus on ʿUrwa ibn al-Ward, one of the most prominent Ṣuʿlūk poets of the pre-Islamic era. The Ṣuʿlūk poets, often rejected by their tribes, adopted a life of wandering and raiding, yet embodied ideals of courage and generosity by defying tribal norms and sharing spoils with the poor. By analyzing selected poems of ʿUrwa ibn al-Ward, the research highlights the presence of dramatic elements in his verse and examines how these features reveal the poet’s capacity to portray life, conflict, and adventure despite the absence of drama as a recognized literary genre in his time. Employing a psychological approach, the study begins with an overview of the Ṣuʿlūk poets and the life of ʿUrwa ibn al-Ward, then turns to an analysis of the dramatic structures in his poetry. The findings indicate that both the written and spoken word constitute the essential link between drama and poetry, showing that dramatic qualities have been embedded in Arabic verse since antiquity. Moreover, ʿUrwa drew heavily on real experiences, incorporating living characters and actual conflicts, thereby reflecting the dynamic interaction between his inner self and the surrounding reality.
The Fractured Self in Contemporary Saudi Poetry: Selected Models
This study investigates the fractured self in contemporary Saudi poetry through selected examples. It conceptualizes self-fracture as a critical mode of poetic self-expression, reflecting a state where the self is caught between reality and aspiration, or between power and vulnerability—physically, emotionally, or imaginatively. Rather than treating self-fracture merely as a thematic concern, the study frames it as an interpretive key that reveals aesthetic dimensions, experiential depth, and poetic vision. The research focuses on three primary manifestations: spiritual fracture, fracture in the face of loss, and fracture in the quest for meaning. These forms are analyzed not just for their content but also for their impact on shaping poetic identity and consciousness. The study concludes that expressions of brokenness, regardless of form or intensity, function as a tool through which poets engage with self-awareness, relational dynamics, and existential reflection. In contrast to inflated expressions of ego, the articulation of fracture often unveils deeper truths about the self and its place in the world.
AlHanoof Bint Sulaiman Bin Mohammed Al-Atrash
Modern Arabic Criticism and Rhetoric: Transformation, Rupture, and Continuity in the Thought of Mustafa Nasif
This study explores the key transitional phases in modern Arabic literary criticism, focusing on the shift from classical Arabic rhetoric to contextual methodologies, and subsequently to textual approaches. It investigates the dynamics of rupture and continuity, emphasizing the theoretical and methodological transformations while highlighting the persistent connection between tradition and modernity in the works of many Arab critics. The research adopts the critical experience of Mustafa Nasif as a representative model, with reference to other relevant voices in the field. The study underscores the challenges posed by the departure from traditional rhetorical and linguistic frameworks, especially in the absence of consensus on the adoption of Western critical terminology and literary theory. The paper is divided into an introduction, a conclusion, and three main sections: the first addresses the transition from rhetoric and classical criticism to contextual and then textual methodologies; the second examines the theoretical foundations of Nasif’s critical project; and the third presents applied analytical models that characterize Nasif’s distinctive "second reading" of Arabic literature. The study concludes that the early enthusiasm for contextual methodologies as modern tools of analysis eventually declined, with many Arab critics returning to rhetorical principles, often integrating them with stylistic and poetic analysis.
The Interplay of the Cultural and the Visual in Travel Literature: A Study of the Formation of Epistemic Identity in Al-Maqdisi’s Trip: Aḥsan al-Taqāsīm fī Maʿrifat al-Aqālīm
This paper investigates how cultural frameworks intersect with visual observation in shaping epistemic identity within travel literature, focusing on Al-Maqdisi’s Trip: Aḥsan al-Taqāsīm fī Maʿrifat al-Aqālīm. By analyzing materials that extend beyond direct witnessing, the study identifies the ways in which unseen cultural sources—both oral and written—inform the travel narrative and influence its epistemological orientation. Although Al-Maqdisi repeatedly affirmed his intent to record only what he had directly observed, his broader cultural knowledge inevitably filtered into the text through transmitted oral accounts, dialogues, reports, and written works he consulted, sometimes cited and other times not. The findings highlight how this interplay between the cultural and the visual not only shaped the narrative’s descriptive strategies but also redefined its central concern with vision and observation, thereby revealing the subtle yet powerful role of cultural mediation in constructing knowledge within the travel text.
Manifestations of Formalist Concepts in al-Sakkaki: A Reading in Rhetorical Criticism
This paper examines al-Sakkaki’s rhetorical legacy through the lens of Formalist theory, with the aim of identifying the mechanisms of his critical thought, mapping the epistemological system underpinning his work, and tracing the transformations of Arabic rhetoric across pre- and post-Sakkaki contexts. Using Miftaḥ al-Ulum as the primary text, the study adopts a meta-critical approach to analyze the convergence between al-Sakkaki’s rhetoric and Russian Formalist concepts. The findings reveal multiple formalist tendencies: metaphor is treated as a product of formalist cognition where meaning resides in form, whether on the paradigmatic or syntagmatic level; eloquent discourse is classified in graded hierarchies; and informative statements are analyzed across levels of rhetorical effect. Al-Sakkaki’s dedicated discussion of the essence of poetry further aligns with poetics in its attempt to define what constitutes poetic discourse and distinguishes it from prose. Collectively, these features underscore the presence of both explicit and implicit formalist orientations in his work, suggesting that al-Sakkaki anticipated aspects of a formalist and even post-formalist rhetoric with pragmatic extensions.
The Argumentative Function of Repetition in the Literature of Ahmad bin Alwan (d. 665 AH)
This study examines the argumentative function of repetition in the literary discourse of Ahmad bin Alwan (d. 665 AH), a prominent Sufi writer whose works embody persuasive strategies aimed at engaging and influencing the recipient. The analysis highlights how repetition, at both the lexical and sentence levels, operates as a rhetorical technique capable of reinforcing spiritual concepts, shaping convictions, and guiding behavior. By combining the argumentative and stylistic approaches, the research explores how bin Alwan employed repetition to magnify the concept of the Mohammedan reality, to reinterpret Quranic vocabulary through a mystical lens, and to consolidate essential Sufi doctrines. The findings reveal that repetition in his discourse was not merely a stylistic ornament but a deliberate persuasive device that enabled him to establish authority, stimulate interaction, and deepen the reader’s receptivity to his mystical vision. In doing so, the study underscores the significant role of repetition as a mechanism of argumentation and persuasion in classical Sufi literature.
Temporal Connectives and Their Argumentative Impact in the Story of Moses and Pharaoh in Surat Taha
This study examines the argumentative function of temporal connectives in constructing the rhetorical structure of the Quranic discourse, focusing on the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Surat Taha as a model of the conflict between truth and falsehood within a tightly ordered temporal sequence. Temporal connectives such as idha, idh, lamma, fa, thumma, and ḥatta are analyzed not only as narrative devices for organizing events but also as effective mechanisms in shaping Quranic argumentation and reinforcing persuasive logic. Through a detailed analysis of the text, the research demonstrates how these connectives contribute to sequencing events, intensifying conflict, and guiding the audience toward understanding truths and internalizing arguments. By employing an argumentative approach, the study uncovers the deeper semantic functions of these tools, showing that they transcend mere chronological markers to become instruments of rhetorical pressure and strategic direction that highlight the logic of the discourse and enhance its persuasive impact, thereby reflecting the coherence between temporal structuring and the divine message’s communicative purpose.
Copyright (c) 2025 د.غالية المسند https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Speaker’s Voice in Ahmed Al-Nehmi’s Poem "I Am Not One of You": A Pragmatic Study
This study examines the speaker’s voice in Ahmed Al-Nehmi’s poem “I Am Not One of You” through a pragmatic lens. Centered on the Palestinian cause, the poem deploys polyphony—multiple voices—to influence the addressee and inspire resistance against occupation. The most prominent voice is that of the Palestinian speaker, depicted as a symbol of resilience and national struggle. This voice encapsulates the collective suffering of a homeland and serves to persuade the Arab addressee to abandon passivity. The analysis follows a structured approach, presenting each voice in the order it appears in the poem: the poet, the land of Palestine, the Palestinian child, the Palestinian woman, Arab leaders, the resistance fighter, and finally, Palestine personified. These voices act as rhetorical tools that enhance the poem’s emotional depth and communicative power. The study concludes that the strategic use of multiple voices enables the poet to embody different perspectives while maintaining a unified message. This multiplicity functions as a pragmatic device that strengthens the poet’s communicative intent and amplifies the urgency of the political message.
Argumentative Techniques in the Cultural Supplement of Al-Watan Newspaper (Issues 1–30): A Pragmatic Study
This research explores argumentative techniques in the cultural supplement of Al-Watan newspaper, focusing on issues (1–30), within a pragmatic framework informed by Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca’s New Rhetoric. By analyzing both critical essays and satirical caricatures, the study highlights the newspaper’s role as a cultural channel and a medium of transformation, where persuasive discourse is a central tool. The research integrates journalistic culture with the pragmatic functions of argumentation, demonstrating how quasi-logical reasoning, rhetorical figures, and other argumentative strategies are employed to influence readers. Through an introduction and two main sections—one addressing argumentative mechanisms and the other examining argumentative techniques—the study reveals that the newspaper largely employs argumentation aimed at persuasion and impact, whether through rejecting negative issues, promoting positive values, or presenting literary and cultural critique that broadens the reader’s capacity for reflection, interpretation, and critical engagement. Ultimately, the study underscores the cultural, literary, and social significance of Al-Watan’s cultural supplement as a space where journalism intersects with rhetoric and argumentation.
Patterns and Functions of Mā in the Diwan of Hatim al-Ṭaʾi: A Syntactic-Semantic Study
This research investigates the syntactic and semantic functions of the particle mā in the Diwan of Hatim al-Ṭaʾi, a leading pre-Islamic poet of the ḥujjah era, with a focus on its diverse patterns and roles in meaning construction. After a brief overview of the poet and his corpus, the study examines particle mā in its negative, infinitival, and pleonastic uses, and nominal mā in its relative, conditional, interrogative, and other forms, supported by applied analyses of selected verses. The findings reveal that this diversity not only enriches meaning and reinforces emphasis but also contributes to maintaining metrical balance in poetry. Furthermore, the study highlights Hatim’s distinctive use of the Ḥijazi mā functioning like laysa, showing a stylistic alternation between application and non-application, which reflects individual choice rather than strict conformity to a specific dialect. This nuanced treatment challenges conventional grammatical interpretations and underscores the flexibility of linguistic usage in early Arabic poetry, thereby offering a fresh perspective on the role of mā in shaping both meaning and poetic form.
Syntactic and Morphological Criticism in al-Shatibi’s al-Maqāṣid al-Shāfiya li-l-Shalūbīn: Compilation and Analysis
This paper explores al-Shatibi’s syntactic and morphological criticism in al-Maqāṣid al-Shāfiya li-l-Shalūbīn, a key text in Arabic grammar renowned for its scientific and philosophical depth. Using a comparative approach, the study analyzes points of divergence between al-Shatibi and Abu Ali al-Shalubin on syntactic and morphological issues, and investigates the underlying reasons for their disagreements. The findings reveal al-Shalubin’s intellectual rigor and his cautious acceptance of earlier positions, alongside al-Shatibi’s commitment to critical inquiry, which enriched grammatical studies through systematic, evidence-based debate. While al-Shatibi frequently challenged al- Shalubin, he did so with reasoned argument rather than bias, drawing on semantic interpretation, syntactic and morphological conventions, or foundational principles as bases for critique. His objections appeared in various forms, including contesting violations of established norms, questioning rare or anomalous usages, rejecting certain transmitted reports, and scrutinizing analogical reasoning. The study concludes that such critical engagement elevated Arabic grammatical discourse and underscores the constructive role of scholarly disagreement in advancing linguistic thought.
The Separation of the Restrictive Pronoun with Innama between Ibn Malik and Abu Hayyan
This study investigates the grammatical issue of separating a pronoun restricted by innama, with particular focus on the debate between Ibn Malik and Abu Hayyan and its connection to Sibawayh’s position. Employing a detailed analysis of six thematic sections, the research traces the origins of the disagreement, reviews the views of grammarians who attributed the construction to poetic necessity, examines the contributions of al-Zajjaj, and analyzes both Ibn Malik’s interpretation and Abu Hayyan’s objections along with the responses to them. The findings indicate that grammarians often use the phrase “the pronoun after innama” as shorthand for “the pronoun restricted by innama,” and that the rules of separation apply equally to nominative and accusative pronouns. The study further concludes that the central point of contention stems from the ambiguity surrounding Sibawayh’s citation of the poetic line “innama nuqtalu iyyana,” which generated divergent interpretations of his intent. By uncovering the reasons for this ambiguity, the research clarifies the broader implications of pronoun restriction and its treatment in Arabic grammatical thought.
Schematic Representation of Lexical Meaning: A Cognitive Linguistic Study of Selected Entries from Lisan al-Arab
This study, grounded in cognitive semantics, explores how mind maps can be applied to lexicography in order to uncover the conceptual and mental structures underlying meaning. Focusing on selected entries from Ibn Manzur’s Lisan al-Arab, particularly verbs of motion and nouns referring to body parts, the research moves from a theoretical discussion of mind maps to a practical analysis of their application. The study extracts core meanings, organizes them schematically, and reveals the conceptual frameworks shaping them. The findings demonstrate that semantic expansion does not occur through arbitrary convention but evolves via interrelated categories that branch from an original core meaning into derived sub-meanings. Such expansions are made possible by conceptual relations linking primary and secondary senses, which in turn allow meaning to be systematically structured and schematically represented. The results highlight the value of cognitive approaches in rethinking lexical semantics, positioning language as a mental activity grounded in perception, embodiment, and experience.
The Aesthetic Significance of Quranic Verse-Endings in Surah al-Dukhān: A Rhetorical Study
This study explores the aesthetic significance of Quranic verse-endings (fawāṣil) in Surah al-Dukhān, treating them as a dynamic structural element that shapes both semantic content and rhetorical rhythm. Using an integrative approach that combines phonetic, rhetorical, and contextual analysis, the research highlights how the fāṣilah functions as both an aesthetic and semantic device. After outlining the concept and importance of the verse-ending, the study examines two primary domains: the verse-endings of punishment scenes, characterized by auditory force and intensified awe, and those of mercy scenes, marked by softness and reassurance. The contrast underscores how sound and meaning interact to reinforce the thematic context. Since early Islamic scholarship, critics have recognized the unique stylistic role of Quranic verse-endings, noting that they transcend sajʿ and rhyme by fusing semantic depth with phonetic resonance. The findings further demonstrate that the verse-ending is deliberately constructed for rhetorical effect, employing strategies such as emphasis, explicitness, and antithesis. This study affirms that investigating Quranic verse-endings provides a significant pathway to understanding rhetorical inimitability and appreciating the enduring impact of Quranic discourse on the human soul.
Similar Verses Containing the Root Dh-K-R: A Rhetorical Study
This paper probes the rhetorical logic behind the Quran’s use of the root dh-k-r in verses that appear outwardly similar. By comparing each pair or cluster of similar verses, the study explains why the text sometimes opts for a nominal form instead of a verbal one, substitutes a single letter, or replaces one clause structure with another. Two focal sections analyze, first, shifts in morphological form and, second, shifts in syntactic arrangement. The findings reveal that dh-k-r spans a rich semantic field—ranging from “remembrance” and “supplication” to “glorification”—and that every stylistic variation serves a calculated rhetorical aim, whether to emphasize, omit, singularize, pluralize, masculinize, or feminize. The study shows that the Quran’s nuanced deployment of dh-k-r underscores both its semantic breadth and its matchless stylistic precision.
Rhetorical and Figurative Phenomena in the Prose and Poetry of Ibn Abi Ḥajlah: Selected Examples from Diwan al-Ṣababah
This study investigates the rhetorical and figurative dimensions in the prose and poetry of Ibn Abi Ḥajlah, with special reference to selected passages from his renowned book Diwan al-Ṣababah, a classical work on love and longing. Structured into an introduction, a preface, and two sections, the research first contextualizes the author and his text while clarifying central rhetorical concepts such as ʿIlm al-Badīʿ and ʿIlm al-Bayan. The first section highlights Ibn Aiī Ḥajlah’s prose style, which is marked by various rhetorical embellishments, most notably rhymed prose (sajʿ), antithesis (ṭibaq), Quranic allusion (iqtibas), and literary incorporation (taḍmin). The second section examines his poetic expressions, where figurative devices such as simile and metaphor emerge as prominent stylistic features. Through this dual focus, the study concludes that Ibn Abi Ḥajlah’s literary production—both in prose and verse—reveals an impressive command of rhetorical and figurative techniques that reflect his creative eloquence, refined style, and careful artistic selection. These findings underscore the significance of his contributions to Arabic rhetorical tradition and highlight the aesthetic richness of Diwan al-Ṣababah as a literary and cultural artifact.
Linguistic and Cultural Betrayal in Hafiz Ibrahim’s Translation of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables
This paper investigates the phenomenon of linguistic and cultural betrayal in Hafiz Ibrahim’s Arabic translation of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, considering it a notable case of infidelity in literary translation. Betrayal in this context refers to the loss, distortion, or modification of the original text’s aesthetic or cultural essence. Such alterations may arise due to linguistic and cultural constraints, translator subjectivity, or self-censorship aimed at minimizing potential controversy among the target audience. Literary translation, often deemed one of the most intricate translation forms, demands not only semantic accuracy but also the faithful rendering of stylistic and cultural features. Employing a comparative analytical method, the study explores the theoretical dimensions of betrayal in literary translation, the balance between fidelity and creativity, general trends in translating Les Misérables, and specifically Hafiz Ibrahim’s rendition. The findings indicate that cultural betrayal significantly impacts the preservation of the source text’s meaning, with notable deviations in Ibrahim’s version altering both linguistic intent and cultural context. These shifts underscore the challenges faced by translators of canonical literary works, particularly when navigating between preserving the original voice and adapting to the expectations of the target readership.
Research Trends in Arabic Language Curriculum and Teaching Methods in the Kingdom of Bahrain
This study investigates research trends in Arabic language curriculum and instructional methods within the Kingdom of Bahrain through the application of bibliometric analysis. The analysis covered a sample comprising master’s theses, doctoral dissertations, and peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2011 and 2025. The results highlight a noticeable divergence in focus: journal publications primarily addressed emerging themes such as self-regulated learning and the integration of technology, while doctoral dissertations concentrated on more traditional areas like reading comprehension and written expression. The qualitative findings further revealed the dominance of only two central themes, a concentration that risks neglecting other significant dimensions of research. The study also identified inconsistencies in the novelty and renewal of topics, with research overwhelmingly directed toward students, representing 77.7% of the total sample. In terms of educational stages, most studies were confined to primary and university levels. Additionally, the review found an absence of studies employing systematic, stratified, or cluster sampling techniques, despite their potential to enhance statistical accuracy and representativeness.
Saeed Mohammed Saeed Al-Dhafiri Al-Ghamdi
A Proposed Training Program Based on Selected Artificial Intelligence Applications to Develop the Academic and Professional Competencies of Secondary School Arabic Language Teachers
This study proposes a training program grounded in selected artificial intelligence (AI) applications to develop the academic and professional competencies of secondary school Arabic language teachers in Saudi Arabia, in accordance with the linguistic competency standards set by the Ministry of Education. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the research reviewed relevant literature, prior studies, and official documents to identify 15 AI applications suitable for enhancing teachers’ subject-specific and professional skills. Additionally, it compiled a framework of 25 essential academic competencies for Arabic language instruction and 30 professional competencies. Drawing on these inputs, the study designed a 24-hour training program, to be implemented over four weeks, integrating targeted AI tools to support instructional effectiveness and professional growth. The program aims to bridge the gap between technological advancements and language pedagogy, equipping teachers with innovative strategies to meet evolving educational demands. The researcher recommends the program’s adoption and experimental application with a representative sample of secondary school Arabic language teachers to assess its effectiveness in fostering competency development.
The Visual Image in Arabic at Your Hands Series and Its Role in Developing Critical Reading Skills for Non-Native Speakers of Arabic
This study investigates the role of visual images in Arabic at Your Hands Series in fostering critical reading skills among non-native speakers of Arabic. Moving beyond the conventional view of images as mere pedagogical aids that introduce written lessons, the research argues that images function as parallel texts, possessing structural and semantic depth comparable to written discourse. Organized into three sections, the study analyzes the structure of the image, the interplay between visual and written texts, and the semantic dimensions conveyed by imagery. Drawing methodologically on selected structuralist and semiotic approaches, the analysis reveals that images in Arabic textbooks at King Khalid University not only prepare learners for textual engagement but also carry symbolic richness and layered meanings that actively cultivate critical thinking. By positioning images as readable texts, the study underscores their potential to transform language learning into an integrative process that engages both visual and verbal literacies.
The intonation patterns of Ibbi Yemeni Arabic: An acoustic phonetic study
This paper aimed at offering an acoustic linguistic phonetic description of the intonation patterns of Ibbi Yemeni Arabic (IYA) dialect in terms of tonal inventory, intonation systems and pitch movements associated with different grammatical patterns. Using a corpus of controlled spontaneous speech samples of four male speakers comprising 11 elicited grammatical patterns including declaratives, interrogatives, imperatives, exclamatives and vocatives, the three systems of IYA intonation: tonality, tonicity, tone were examined and identified. Data analysis was done both perceptually through phonemic transcription and acoustically using Praat programme (Boersma & Weenink 2023). The key findings showed that IYA has six tones: fall, low rise, high rise, fall rise, rise fall, and level tones. IYA is characterized by post-lexical nuclear accent and tonicity, a level tone in declaratives, narrow pitch range and accentuation which is unattested in other Arabic dialects, and more varied intonation patterns than Taizi Yemeni Arabic )TYA( and Sanaani Yemeni Arabic )SYA(. The study outcomes situate the IYA dialect on equal footing with other colloquial Arabic dialects, highlighting differences in pitch contours for questions, statements, or emotional expressions, emphasizing cultural nuances of intonation to enrich communication competence.
The Interpersonal Function of Intonation in the Declarative Statements of the Spontaneous Speech of the Thamari Dialect of Yemeni Arabic: A Study Based on Halliday’s Approach
The main aim of this paper is to investigate the function of tones in construing neutral declarative statements, elicited in neutral contexts in the Thamari Dialect of Yemeni Arabic (DDYA), and then to contrast it with the intonational patterns of declarative statements construing surprise, and reservation, elicited in different contexts. This study examines these intonational patterns in the spontaneous speech within the Systemic Functional Linguistics framework (SFL). The system of tones is acoustically analyzed in this study by means of the PRAAT software program. Our main concern in this intonation system is to answer the question whether variant contexts trigger variant intonational patterns in the declarative Mood aspect of DDYA. The main criteria adopted to identify the marked and unmarked intonation pattern is the frequency of occurrence ratio. The intonational contour patterns are analyzed acoustically by eliciting the F0 contour on PRAAT. The data then is analyzed at different levels i.e. the phonological realizations of the intonation patterns, and the meanings and the speech functions they construe in the semantic level. Finally, in the statistical analysis, the data is grouped into two categories: congruent and incongruent patterns. The data showcases that two intonational approaches have been used by DDYA speakers to convey attitudinal expressions. While a Mid-Fall pattern is used to express facts of neutral mode, a Rise-Fall and a Fall-Rise patterns are used to convey surprise and reservation keys respectively.
Analyzing the errors of EFL Learners in Translating Idiomatic Expressions into Arabic
This study aimed to present an empirical investigation into the types, frequency, and linguistic characteristics of errors occurring in the translation of English idiomatic expressions into Arabic by EFL learners. A quantitative descriptive methodology was employed, with data collected from a random sample of 80 undergraduate English majors at the Faculty of Education, University of Hodeidah, Yemen, via a multiple-choice assessment questionnaire. The analysis revealed a high error incidence of 67.8%, predominantly characterized by inappropriate literal rather than idiomatic translation. These findings indicate significant deficits in learners' idiomatic competence, attributed to insufficient lexical knowledge, limited exposure to authentic language use, and a failure to process meaning in context. The study concludes by advocating for pedagogical interventions that incorporate authentic materials, visual aids, contextualized instruction, and communicative exercises to enhance the acquisition and accurate application of idiomatic language.
Re-Visiting Translation of the Yemeni Constitution in the Light of House’s Revised Model
Translator is always between the two horns of the dilemma: he needs to make balance between preserving accuracy of meaning, function and style of Source Language (SL) and maintaining acceptability of the translated text with all its potentials in the Target Language (TL) which, sometimes, makes translation so difficult, if not impossible. This study investigated the quality of the translation of the constitution of the Republic of Yemen through House’s revised model (2015). This model was found within Hallidayan components of discourse and functions that received acceptability and was used as one of the most common qualitative tools of Translation Quality Assessment (TQM) (El-Farahaty, 2015; Sarcevic, 1997; Varmazyari et al., 2016). The model depends on a three-layer scheme of analysis: lexical, syntactic, and textual. Then, based on the previous analysis, the study compared these discursive components in the target text (English version) to their equivalent in the source text (Arabic version). The study concluded that the translator, partially, succeeded in transferring the potential meaning from Arabic into the English, whereas he, in some other parts of the target text, fell short to render the source text satisfactorily based on House’s model (2015) which was appropriate for providing a qualitative account for the translation of the constitution of the Republic of Yemen.
Teacher Training and Professional Development in King-Saud-UniversityGerman as a Foreign Language
This study aimed to provide insight on the current state of teacher preparation and professional development in Saudi Arabia with focus on GFL contexts. It explored this as part of Saudi Vision 2030 to highlight the crucial role that teacher training and professional development play in influencing the quality of GFL instruction. This study considered the quantitative methodology where data was collected from 30 GFL teachers from King Saud University using a close-open ended questionnaire. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the 30 GFL instructors from various Saudi Arabian areas and educational levels. Data analysis was done with the use of a statistical tool-SPSS. The study concluded that many teachers are remarkably ready and prepared to teach GFL. This was drawn from the positiveness of the preparedness factors for GFL teaching that were examined in this study; this includes their experience in teaching field, content of the training program, level of use of technological tools, as well as active participation in professional development programs. This study also recommends that cultural and context – sensitiveness be included in German Language programs. This study provided insights into culturally tailored professional development in meeting GFL instruction quality.
The impact of foreign electronic games on Arabic language and culture in Saudi Arabia
This paper explores the phenomenon of electronic games from a linguistic perspective, focusing on their impact on education, culture, communication, and language acquisition and highlighting the impact of these games on language and culture in Saudi Arabia. A closed-ended questionnaire was distributed electronically to a sample of 170 participants. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS and Smart PLS4 programs. The results revealed that the majority of youth, regardless of gender, increasingly use electronic games in foreign languages—primarily English. Playing electronic games has reinforced the dominance of English over Arabic, leading to a gradual decline in the use of the native language. This preference is largely influenced by the perception that foreign languages, particularly English, are associated with prestige and higher social status. The prevalence of foreign-language games is further supported by their high quality and accessibility via the internet and mobile applications, in addition to peer influence. The study recommends promoting the development of innovative Arabic-language games, encouraging local game developers, dubbing foreign games into Arabic, and replacing foreign character names with culturally relevant Arabic alternatives to preserve identity and appeal to younger generations.
Poetry is the Last Resort of Translation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
This study investigates the potential and limitations of artificial intelligence (AI) in translating poetry from English to Arabic compared to human translations. Focusing on Khalil Gibran’s Sand and Foam, the research compares a human-translated version by Antonious Basheer with an AI-generated version produced by ChatGPT-4. Using Multidimensional Quality Metrics (MQM) and qualitative assessments, the study analyzes accuracy and fluency, reflecting the poetic fidelity of both translations. Findings reveal that while ChatGPT-4 excels in grammatical consistency and structural clarity, it often lacks emotional depth, stylistic features, and cultural resonance in human translation. Conversely, although more expressive, the human version contains notable inconsistencies and errors. The results highlight both AI's promise and current limitations in literary reproduction, advocating for a hybrid approach that combines AI efficiency with human creativity. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of poetic translation and offers pathways to enhance AI’s role in preserving literary artistry.