English as a Marker of Modernity and Educational Status among Students at the University of Raparin

Abstract

     This study investigates how University of Raparin students view English as a sign of education and modernity. The contradictions between English adoption and Kurdish cultural identity maintenance at the University of Raparin are the focus of this study, which fills the empirical research gap on how Kurdish university students view English as a sign of modernity and educational standing. Thus, 80 undergraduate students are given a 16-item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics are used to analyze the data. The results show that students place a high importance on English for academic success, technology, and access to international networks. Nonetheless, there are moderate correlations between improved social standing and English skill, with a sizable number of indifferent answers. There are conflicts between Kurdish identity and English adoption: few students think English language advances the country, while many find it difficult to switch between Kurdish and English. Furthermore, a sizable portion concur that proficiency in English is more crucial for a job opportunity than Kurdish, although some are concerned that using English excessively could undermine Kurdish identity. According to the study's findings, students must negotiate a challenging language environment where Kurdish stays the dominant identity marker, and English provides access to academic and worldwide resources. Ultimately, culturally relevant English instruction and balanced language policies are among the recommendations.

Authors’ Bio

Khunaw Sulaiman Beirut is an English teacher at the College of Basic Education at the University of Raparin, holding a PhD in English Language and Linguistics from Salahadin University. She has been teaching since October 1989, with research interests in pure and applied linguistics, and sign language. Her M.A. thesis is entitled inflectional suffixes in English and Kurdish. The title of Ph.D. is The Role of Discourse Analysis in Sign Language. She has published articles on sign language structure, including American Sign Language (ASL) and Kurdish Sign Language (ZAK).

Dana Ibrahim Ahmed holds a Ph.D. in English language in the United Kingdom (UK), and works as an English Language Lecturer at the University of Raparin, Ranya, Iraqi Kurdistan. His research interests include English language teaching, applied linguistics, and discourse analysis. He has experience in academic instruction and curriculum development at the university level.

Aveen Kamal Ali holds an M.A in Linguistics from the University of Raparin, College of Basic Education, Iraqi Kurdistan. She has translated six genres from English to Kurdish and (vice versa), including 101 American English Proverbs, Moral Stories, 40 Flowers, 40 English Proverbs, Life is a Journey, and Life with Allah. She is interested in linguistics, cross-cultural communication, and has expertise in multiple translation genres.