Journal of English Studies in Arabia Felix

Speech Act Types and Their Illocutionary Functions in the Socotri Folktales

Halimah Ahmed — 2025-08-01

This study investigates the types and functions of speech acts in Socotri folktales, highlighting their role in reflecting cultural identity and communicative norms. Using conceptual content analysis, ten folktales comprising 10,322 words from Folktales from Socotra were examined and analyzed their illocutionary functions. The analysis revealed that representative acts were the most used, followed by directives and expressives. In terms of illocutionary functions, collaborative purposes were predominant, especially in acts such as asserting, reporting, and announcing. Competitive functions were also present, often taking the form of ordering and demanding. Conflictive functions emerged less frequently, typically involving threatening and accusing. Convivial functions appeared least often, with complimenting, thanking, and apologizing being the most notable examples. This study links pragmatic analysis with cultural narratives. It supports the preservation of Socotri's linguistic heritage and offers insights into the unique communicative practices embedded in its folklore.

Analysis of Linguistic and Cultural Aspects in Translation of ‘Official Invitations for a Symposium on Socotra Island’

Abdullah Mohammed Salem — 2025-08-25

This study investigated the translation errors found in Arabic invitations and their English counterparts, focusing on a sample of invitations that the Center for Studies and Environmental Sciences, University of Aden issues issued in 2002 for participating in First International Symposium on Socotra Island. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and content analysis design, the study identified a range of translation issues, particularly in lexical, semantic, and grammatical domains. These errors, attributed to a lack of familiarity with cultural norms in English-speaking contexts, underscore the importance of both linguistic competence and cultural awareness for translating formal documents. To address these challenges, the study recommends a specialized translation team of professionals trained in both language and intercultural communication. Such a team would help ensure that official documents, including conference invitations, reflect the institution’s academic standards and foster effective international collaboration

Investigation of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in Libyan Higher Education

Nagamurali Eragamreddy — 2025-09-03

English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) has largely been researched in the worldwide context. This study investigated Libyan teaching staff’s preparedness for EMI. A qualitative case study design was used to collect data from EMI 30 lecturers in ten Libyan public universities. Data were gathered through an online questionnaire with Likert-scale and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative responses were treated with thematic analysis. The main findings show pervasive concerns regarding students' English proficiency, dependence on code-switching, and the absence of a systematic EMI evaluation and training. These findings explicitly respond to the main research question, validating that EMI readiness, linguistic challenges, and assessment inefficiencies are pertinent challenges. The paper concludes that successful EMI in Libya needs localized solutions, institutional commitment, and specialized pedagogical support to transition from symbolic adoption to substantive implementation.