International Journal Of Literature And Languages

A Comparative Interpretive Model for Assessing Patterns of Influence in Selected South African Literature

Dr. Kwame Mensah — 2026-08-01

South African literature represents a complex interaction of indigenous traditions, colonial encounters, linguistic diversity, political transformation, and evolving cultural identities. Literary influence within this context cannot be adequately explained through linear models that assume direct borrowing or simple textual imitation. Instead, influence emerges through dynamic processes of adaptation, reinterpretation, cultural negotiation, and ideological transformation. This study proposes a Comparative Interpretive Model (CIM) for assessing patterns of influence in selected South African literary works by integrating comparative literary criticism, hermeneutic interpretation, cultural contextualization, and intertextual analysis. The proposed model is developed through qualitative comparative research using selected canonical and indigenous literary texts represented within the available scholarly and primary literature. The study synthesizes existing scholarship on South African literary traditions, Setswana and Sesotho oral narratives, poetic traditions, folklore, colonial literary development, and postcolonial literary criticism. Rather than treating literary influence as a unidirectional process, the proposed framework conceptualizes influence as a multidimensional interaction among language, culture, history, ideology, and artistic innovation. The findings demonstrate that South African literature exhibits layered influence patterns shaped by indigenous oral traditions, colonial education systems, multilingual expression, religious discourse, folklore, and socio-political transformation. The Comparative Interpretive Model provides an analytical framework capable of evaluating these overlapping influences while preserving cultural specificity. The study contributes a systematic methodology for literary scholars interested in comparative African literary studies and establishes a theoretical foundation for future interdisciplinary research on literary influence in multilingual societies.

Issues of Drama Criticism in Karakalpak Literature in The Independence Period

Allanazarova Zuxraxan Jannazarovna — 2026-08-11

This article examines the role and significance of critical reviews in the development of drama criticism within Karakalpak literature during the independence period. Based on a comprehensive analysis of published reviews, critical portraits, and scholarly articles, the study identifies both achievements and persistent challenges in drama criticism. The study reveals that while the independence period witnessed increased critical activity, drama criticism in Karakalpak literature remains underdeveloped relative to criticism of poetry and prose due to both objective and subjective factors, including scarcity of critical materials, insufficient specialists, quality variations, and tensions between literary and theatrical criticism. The article concludes that effective drama criticism plays an essential role in literary development by evaluating artistic quality, contextualizing historical and ideological influences, facilitating multi-perspectival analysis, identifying social and moral dimensions, and providing constructive guidance for playwrights.

The Social Life of Emojis: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Visual Communication

Saba Khalid — 2026-08-10

This article examines emojis as a distinctive semiotic system within digital communication, analyzing their social functions through a sociolinguistic lens. Drawing on a corpus of 2,500 emoji-containing messages collected from Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and WhatsApp, the study employs a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative frequency analysis with qualitative discourse-pragmatic coding. The findings reveal that emojis function as far more than decorative affective markers; they operate as complex paralinguistic resources that perform multiple social functions including tone modulation, politeness management, identity performance, and relationship negotiation. Significant variation in emoji use was observed across gender, age, platform, and relational context. Female participants demonstrated greater frequency and diversity of emoji use, particularly for politeness and solidarity functions, while male participants showed higher utilization for sarcasm and ironic purposes. Platform-specific affordances significantly shaped emoji practices, with WhatsApp favoring phatic and relational functions, Instagram enabling identity curation, and Facebook facilitating both. The study further reveals that emoji competence constitutes a form of digital pragmatic literacy, with users demonstrating sophisticated awareness of contextual appropriateness norms. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on visual communication in computer-mediated discourse and have implications for understanding how digital semiotic resources are reshaping social interaction in the twenty-first century.

The Concept of Love in Uzbek Folk Proverbs: A Linguocultural And Cognitive Analysis

Sadullaeva Madina Kosimovna — 2026-08-13

This article investigates the linguocultural and cognitive representation of the concept of love in Uzbek folk proverbs. As the most concise yet semantically rich expression of folk wisdom, proverbs encapsulate cultural perceptions, stereotypes, and moral norms related to love. The study employs conceptual analysis, discourse analysis, and linguocultural analysis methods. The concept of love in Uzbek proverbs is examined through positive and negative connotations, gender aspects, family relationships, and spiritual-moral values. The findings suggest that love in Uzbek folk proverbs primarily serves educational and social functions within the community.

Features of The Artistic Language of Chingiz Aitmatov’s Works

E’zoza Turapova — 2026-08-10

This article examines the distinctive features of the artistic language in the works of Chingiz Aitmatov and analyzes the principal linguistic means that shape the uniqueness of his individual style. Particular attention is paid to ethnocultural vocabulary, national realia, figurative language, and phraseological units, which contribute to the imagery of the narrative, reveal the writer’s philosophical vision, and reflect the national culture of the Kyrgyz people. The findings demonstrate that the artistic language of Chingiz Aitmatov is a fundamental component of his literary legacy, ensuring the organic integration of national identity with universal humanistic values.