Journal of Language Development and Linguistics

Classroom Silence and its Meaning in English Language Learning Contexts

2025-12-24T04:46:11+00:00

Classroom silence is a pervasive phenomenon in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning contexts, yet it remains insufficiently understood within mainstream language pedagogy. Classroom silence has long been perceived as a sign of disengagement or lack of competence in English language learning contexts. However, recent perspectives in applied linguistics suggest that silence may carry complex pedagogical, cognitive, and sociocultural meanings. This study aims to explore the forms, functions, and underlying meanings of classroom silence in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning environments. Employing a qualitative research design with a case study approach, data were collected through classroom observations, in-depth interviews with students and teachers, and reflective field notes.

Linguistics as Geopolitical Strategy: Framing, Legitimacy, and Power in Global Discourse

2026-03-26T04:15:18+00:00

This study investigates the strategic function of linguistics in forming transnational geopolitical configurations from 2015 to 2025. The paper draws from 250 purposively sampled texts official speeches, media releases, and mainstream news and media coverage, from the US, Russia, China, and the European Union. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), semiotics, and linguistic pragmatics serve as the conceptual basis to explain how political elites employ discourse strategies to shape a global public opinion by using strategies such as framing, euphemism, delegitimising opponents' claims, and conceptual metaphors. Quantitatively, the study indicates framing (35%) and euphemism (28%) when utilised by the United States and China, respectively, served to strengthen legitimacy for foreign policy, to frame 'good' narratives, delegitimisation (22%) was used mainly by the EU and Russia to frame a good enemy, and conceptual metaphors (15%) - though the least used, were also effective in framing normative imperatives.

Exploring Speech Acts and Common Ground in Student Corruption Discourse: Insights from Southeastern Universities in Nigeria

2026-01-20T03:48:57+00:00

Using the mixed method research design, the study looks at how students use speech acts and shared knowledge to negotiate meanings around morally and legally questionable behaviours, drawing on Speech Act Theory and Common Ground Theory. The study's examination of focus groups, participant interviews, and naturally occurring conversations shows that corruption is frequently spread covertly through code-switching and uniquely grounded expressions that mainly rely on mutual understanding among peers. These pragmatic strategies assist to preserve group cohesion and steer clear of overt moral judgment in addition to reflecting underlying sociocultural attitudes regarding corruption. The study contributes to how language both reflects and reinforces institutional and pervasive corruption in higher educational institutions by revealing the influence of context, purpose, and common knowledge on corruption-related discourse.

An Analysis of Idiomatic Expressions Used in Percy Jackson’s Novel Entitled Greek Gods

2026-02-22T09:39:47+00:00

The purpose of this research was to identify the types of idiomatic expressions and to analyze the Idiomatic meanings of idioms used in Rick Riordan’s novel Percy Jackson: Greek Gods. This study implied a descriptive qualitative research design, focusing on the interpretation of meaning, concepts, and linguistic phenomena rather than statistical measurement. The data were collected from the novel and analyzed using Makkai’s idiom classification and a pragmatic stylistic approach based on Grice’s cooperative principles. The findings reveal that there are 118 idiomatic expressions found in the novel, which are classified into six types of idioms, namely phrasal verb idioms, tournure idioms, phrasal compound idioms, incorporating verb idioms, pseudo-idioms, and irreversible binomial idioms. The meanings of the idioms lie in the novel depends heavily on narrative context rather than literal word meanings.