Journal of Al_Anbar University for Language and Literature

This study aims to analyze the narrative time in the short story collection "Closing the Eyes" by the Iraqi writer Louay Hamza Abbas, focusing on the disruption of the traditional chronological sequence through the techniques of analepsis (flashback), prolepsis (flashforward), and ellipsis. It seeks to understand how time is transformed into a dynamic and active element in constructing the complex plot, developing characters, and enriching the reading experience.
The research adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, relying on the theoretical framework of Gérard Genette for the analysis of narrative time.
The results showed that the temporal deviation was intentional and masterful, contributing to the creation of multi-layered plots and the revelation of the psychological depths of the characters. It also enhanced elements of suspense and reflection, making the reader an active participant in the construction of meaning. The study confirmed that temporal complexity did not pose an obstacle but rather added profound semantic and psychological dimensions. The analysis demonstrated the writer's skill in employing prolepsis to build future expectations and using ellipsis to accelerate the narrative pace and focus on pivotal moments. The results further confirmed that temporal complexity did not hinder the reader but enriched the text's semantic and psychological layers. Finally, the study illustrated how these techniques collectively contributed to transforming time from a mere framework for events into an existential dimension linking memory and identity.
The study concluded that time in the collection transcended its role as a framework for events to become an existential dimension connecting memory and identity, thereby granting the texts a distinctive human depth.

Aim(s): This paper examines Shakespeare’s creativity in forming compound adjectives coined in his eminent play Hamlet. Specifically, this paper aims at identifying the types of syntactic patterns Shakespeare utilizes to create different compound adjectives.
Methods: To fulfill the objectives of this paper, Langacker’s (2008) Model of Cognitive Grammar has been adopted to deconstruct the compound adjectives produced by Shakespeare, then identify the way he conceptualizes them. The analysis employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative procedures. Eight randomly chosen compound adjectives were analyzed qualitatively within the framework of Cognitive Grammar, whereas all (69) compound adjectives were analyzed quantitatively. The compound adjectives are decomposed into their original parts of speech, which divulge the grammatical class of every word found in the compound adjective.
Results: The findings indicated that Shakespeare formed different compound adjectives, utilizing multifaceted syntactic patterns. The meanings of these compound adjectives are metaphoric, which convey implicit meanings when interpreted within context. Morphologically, Shakespeare used five morphological structure to form compound adjectives. Syntactically, it has been proved that Shakespeare concentrated on recruiting the attributive type of adjectives more than the predicative type.
Conclusions: It has been concluded that Shakespeare invented nineteen syntactic patterns that he exploited in forming compound adjectives by combining different parts of speech. Additionally, Shakespeare formed simple structures and complex structures in coining compound adjectives

This study explores the way female characters speak in the Crucible. It examines how their speech refers to the gender roles they face in the patriarchal society of Salem. The researcher focuses on three female characters. Their voices reflect obligation, resistance and manipulation. With this aim, the study adopts a qualitative content analysis approach. It applies two gendered theories: Tannen’s difference theory (1990) and Lakoff’s theory of women’s language (1975). Both theories help to reveal how women use language to assert their identity. The two theories also show how women negotiate authority and cope with constraints imposed on them in a male-dominated society. Major findings show that women use their voices not only for reflecting their social status, but also as a powerful tool for self-expression. This study contributes to the domain of gender and language fields. It highlights how theoretical texts embody complex relationships among gender, language and authority. The study concludes that the speech of women in The Crucible reflects their inner conflict. It reflects both suppression and resistance, and shows how they utilize speech as a means of empowerment

This research presents a comparative study between the poets Al-Mutanabbi and Nali Al-Shahrazuri. Despite their chronological and linguistic differences, their cultural and geographical environments justify this comparative approach. The idea of the research arose in response to the frequent presence of these two poets in literary circles and the desire to uncover the similarities and differences in their poetic experiences.
The aim of the study is to analyze the works of Al-Mutanabbi and Nali from the perspective of the American school of comparative literature. This study examines the elements of poetic construction, intellectual vision, and cultural identity, with the aim of identifying the possible aspects of influence and interaction between them.
Methodology: The comparative literature approach was adopted, in accordance with the American school, which is concerned with studying the interactive relationships between different literary genres, focusing on cultural and intellectual aspects.
Key Findings:
• The presence of clear intersections in poetic themes, such as love poetry, pride, and praise, despite the differences in historical contexts.
• The two poets share a common theme of highlighting the poetic self as the center of discourse, reflecting a clear individualistic tendency that expresses the superiority and distinction of the self.
• The difference is evident in the use of ghazal; for Nali, it represents a primary purpose that reflects the sincerity of experience, while for Al-Mutanabbi, it serves other purposes.
Conclusion: The study reveals intersections and differences in the poetic vision and intellectual themes of Al-Mutanabbi and Nali, with an analysis of the influential cultural and historical roots, and an exploration of issues of language, identity, pride, ghazal, and the view of the self.

This study provides a pragmatic investigation of refusal strategies among Iraqi EFL learners, examining how gender and proficiency level influence the choice of strategies in English. Using a mixed-methods design that combines quantitative and qualitative analysis through a Discourse Completion Test (DCT), the study analyzes data from 60 Iraqi learners across different proficiency levels and genders. The findings reveal that indirect and adjunct strategies were the most frequently employed, reflecting a strong influence of Arabic pragmatic norms on English refusals. Although female learners tended to use more polite and indirect strategies, while male learners were slightly more direct, statistical tests showed no significant gender-based differences. Similarly, high-proficiency learners demonstrated more native-like use of mitigators and softeners, whereas low-proficiency learners showed greater evidence of pragmatic transfer and directness; however, these differences were not statistically significant. The results highlight the persistence of L1 pragmatic influence even among advanced learners, underscoring the need for explicit pragmatic instruction in EFL classrooms. This research contributes to the field of interlanguage pragmatics and cross-cultural communication by offering insights for language educators and curriculum designers on how sociocultural and linguistic variables shape pragmatic competence.

To raise awareness against drug abuse requires effective messages to guide interpretation and behaviour. The current study examines how pragmatic strategies are employed in anti-drug awareness posters. The aim is to communicate implicit meanings and encourage behavioural change. The analysis develops an eclectic model. The developed model is built on Grice’s (1975) theory of conversational implicature and Yule’s (1996) presupposition frameworks. Accordingly, five authentic English anti-drug awareness posters were purposefully selected from the Pinterest platform. It revolves around three main questions: (a) what types of posters can be identified, and how do they connote meaning? (b) what conversational implicature is generated to empower the intended meaning, and (c) which type of presupposition is most commonly used in the utterances found in the dataset.
The findings show that utterances used in anti-drug posters mainly depend on persuasive or emotional appeals and convey meanings with either positive or negative connotations. Conversational Implicatures function as specific inferences in context , while generalised ones appear in negatively connoted utterances. Existential and lexical presuppositions are frequent, embedding implicit assumptions about drugs as harmful and life-threatening. These strategies enhance the effectiveness of the messages and emphasise the importance of adopting a pragmatic approach to analysing public awareness campaigns. The study recommends expanding to larger datasets and conducting comparative research to enhance its applicability across different contexts and increase its generalizability .