Abstract: Prior research has shown that academic reading poses a significant challenge for university students. One of the primary explanations is the lack of a positive reading culture among university students. Several studies have demonstrated the positive and negative effects of various factors on reading cultures. Notably, some studies indicate that university students do not read books regularly, and their cultural surroundings discourage them... [...] Read more

Abstract: For several decades, the use of the internet to frame stories has posed significant challenges for conventional media houses globally, including in South Africa. Moreover, what remains largely unexplored is the impact of using Indigenous languages to cover international events on social media platforms in South Africa. To address this research gap, this study examines the framing strategies employed by the South African Broadcasting... [...] Read more

Abstract: The paucity of studies on plagiarism in some under-explored contexts, such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan, highlight the necessity of conducting this study. To this end, 200 Iranian, 185 Afghan, and 170 Tajik EFL students, who share certain commonalities regarding culture and language, participated in the study. The iThenticate (2013) questionnaire and two essay-type questions on the main reasons for committing plagiarism and possible ways to... [...] Read more

Abstract: The present study aims to develop an intercultural competence (IC) instrument for Chinese students of Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL). In order to do so, we took steps to modify the statements and confirm the validity of the IC instrument. The new instrument was validated by using exploratory factor analysis through a self-report methodology. The results showed that the instrument possessed adequate validity and reliability. The 28-item... [...] Read more

Abstract: Whenever we turn our TV news channel on, we are likely to hear about an Iran-U.S. conflict. Images of the leaders of these two countries intimidating each other can be seen in news channels all over the world. When we are talking about Iran-U.S. international relations, most people think of the political relations which this study takes as intergovernmental rather than international relations. In this study, as we are Iranian and U.S.... [...] Read more

Abstract: International students in Malaysian universities face uncertainty and anxiety toward a multi-new culture, a must-encountered cultural shock. This study investigated the relationship between superficial causes of AUM theory and uncertainty and anxiety in a high-context culture. In this study, 388 international students from different faculties were chosen through a method called stratified random sampling, which sampled two public universities... [...] Read more

Abstract: Translation plays a vital role in globalisation by acting as a bridge of cross-cultural communication. The current study investigated 232 published Web of Science (WoS) core journal articles on domestication and foreignisation concepts in translation studies in the past two decades through bibliometric analysis. Specifically, the evolution of the concepts with major research trends, burst detection, keyword timelines, and citation networks is... [...] Read more

Abstract: As part of a university course activity, one group of Canadian and one group of Iranian students were randomly partnered to exchange e-mail messages via the Internet for seven weeks. Before beginning their correspondence, all students completed a questionnaire measuring their stereotypes, attitudes, and knowledge about the people and culture of their prospective e-pals. Students from both countries then exchanged messages and photos. In... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study is an attempt to provide an alternative insight into the nature of foreign language anxiety (FLA) from a cross-cultural perspective. The participants were 122 Arab and 107 Iranian second/foreign language students. The present study used a mixed methods design, i.e. questionnaire and interview, to gain a richer understanding of the participants’ FLA. It was found that in addition to experiencing anxiety due to pressures related to... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study intended to propose a model of intercultural communicative competence integrating international posture, L2 motivational self-system, autonomy, and cognitive learning strategies. To do so, 180 EFL learners in the Iranian EFL context, selected by convenience sampling procedure, participated in the study. The findings, derived from structural equation modeling, showed that the model adequately fits to the data. That was discussed... [...] Read more

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which rhetorical strategies, as a sub-genre of persuasive discourse, are deployed in scholarship application letters in Iran in Persian and English. To this end, 96 application letters fora fictitious scholarship were written by Iranian university students and were further analyzed according to a framework initially proposed by James, Scholfield and Ypsilandis (1994). Aristotle’s taxonomy... [...] Read more

Abstract: Dubbing is the main mode of audiovisual translations which is used on IRIB (Iran’s national TV) for transferring and broadcasting foreign series such as "Due South". Given priority to the target culture (that is Iranian culture), IRIB's policy is to filter and transfer foreign assumptions and values; so, the main strategies in IRIB's dubbing may match well with Schleiermacher’s (1998) concepts of "domestication" in order to create what Toury... [...] Read more

Abstract: Drug abuse has been proven to be a mental disorder because of the heavy intake of substances usage controlled by the environment. Environmental factors play a significant role in drug addiction and recovery. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding environmental factors contributing to relapse and hinder motivation for recovery among drug addicts in Malaysia. Therefore, the objective of this research is to find out the impact of the... [...] Read more

Abstract: Cultural products, particularly films, are considered tools for exporting and diffusing the culture of one society to another. Films selected for international festivals are a case in point. However, subtitling such films for an audience of other languages is a demanding task. This challenge may negatively impact the films' qualification, although they may technically and aesthetically be evaluated and ranked on top. The attraction of the... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the framing of the Gaza conflict on social media in Jordan and its impact on public opinion. By employing qualitative methods, it explores the emotional, political, and ideological underpinnings of digital discourse through in-depth interviews with Jordanian social media users, journalists, and political analysts. The findings reveal that online conversations predominantly center on humanitarian and moral matters;... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the sociopragmatic functions of ostensible commissive speech acts in Saudi spoken Arabic, focusing on invitations and offers. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined participant observation and recall interviews, we analyzed 58 naturally occurring instances through the lenses of speech act theory, politeness theory, and the joint pretense model. The findings reveal eight core communicative functions: signaling... [...] Read more

Abstract: Legally, the law in Indonesia has regulated and mandated female representation of 30%, but in the Aceh election supervisory institution, the representation figure does not reach the threshold. Aceh, as a province that was given the privilege of Sharia autonomy, actually experienced a deficit of representation, not caused by theological reasons, but because of structural obstacles and institutional bias. This study aims to evaluate the... [...] Read more

Abstract: The present study examines the contemporary validity and applicability of Hofstede's power distance dimension. Since the introduction of Hofstede's cultural value framework in the early 1980s, cultural, social, political, and commercial relationships among countries have undergone substantial transformation. These changes may have influenced how individuals perceive and enact power relations across intercultural contexts, making a... [...] Read more

Abstract: The number of immigrants living in Finland has significantly increased since the 1990s. It can be challenging to live and integrate into a new society. This study explores the challenges immigrants face living and integrating into Finnish society. Drawing on data collected from 103 immigrants living in Finland, this study shows that the challenges immigrants face integrating into Finnish society can be classified into four main categories:... [...] Read more