About the Journal
“Foreign Languages in Higher Education” is an open-access, blind peer-reviewed journal for research in the broad areas of linguistics and foreign literature, as well as methods of teaching foreign languages published by Yerevan State University (Armenia). It welcomes contributions from all subdisciplines of linguistics (theoretical and applied) and literary studies (literary theory and literary criticism). It also provides a forum for cross-linguistic/cross-cultural and interdisciplinary research in the areas of linguistics, literature, cultural studies, and multimodal communication, as well as foreign language teaching methodology. For information about the manuscript format and the review process, please go to section For Authors.
Current Issue
Linguistics
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Linguistics
LINGUOSTYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF NARRATIVE STRUCTURE IN W. SAROYAN’S THE HUMAN COMEDY
AbstractThis article offers an integrated linguostylistic and narrative analysis of William Saroyan’s The Human Comedy (1943), exploring how the author’s language choices shape meaning and evoke emotional resonance. The study argues that the apparent simplicity of Saroyan’s prose conceals a subtle artistry: beneath the plain surface of his writing lies a carefully structured narrative voice that fuses language with emotion and deepens the reader’s engagement. Adopting a qualitative linguostylistic approach, the research examines selected passages from the novel on three narrative levels: lexical, syntactic, and discourse, to reveal how stylistic patterns contribute to the text’s overall aesthetic and thematic unity. The findings demonstrate that the linguistic and stylistic coherence of The Human Comedy reinforces Saroyan’s enduring humanistic vision that “life is good because it is life,” highlighting the profound emotional and philosophical depth behind his seemingly simple style.
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Linguistics
A GENDER PERSPECTIVE ON HEDGES: PRAGMATIC FUNCTIONS IN LITERARY DIALOGUES
AbstractHedges constitute important pragmatic resources in conversational discourse. They are not always simple indicators of uncertainty, but are often employed to soften claims, manage interpersonal relations, communicate epistemic caution, and support the co-construction of the conversation between speakers. The present study examines the gendered use of hedges in Dan Brown’s Inferno. The research adopts a qualitative discourse-analytic method to explore the dialogues between the main characters (men and women), particularly the forms and functions of hedging devices. The analysis views hedges as context-specific and situated speech acts influenced by interpersonal relationships. The results suggest that the female characters in the novel use hedges to soften claims and propositions, whereas the male characters use hedges to convey uncertainty and lack of knowledge. This confirms that hedges have multifunctional pragmatic uses beyond gender stereotypes. The study concludes that hedging patterns in literary discourse are influenced by the inherent gender differences, as well as character roles, communicative intentions, and contextual factors.
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Linguistics
THE CHALLENGE OF CAPTURING VONNEGUT’S SATIRICAL VOICE IN CAT’S CRADLE: THE ARMENIAN CONTEXT
AbstractThis paper analyzes Kurt Vonnegut’s stylistic framework in Cat’s Cradle and the specific difficulties of rendering his prose into Armenian. As a landmark of twentieth-century American satire, Vonnegut’s work relies on a unique blend of irony, black humor, and science fiction to critique modern societal absurdities. This study identifies key devices - specifically metaphor, irony, and forms of repetition such as dysphemism, metonymy, and merism - and examines their functional role in establishing the novel's narrative tone. Particular attention is given to the representation of scientific discourse and the symbolic function of "ice-nine." Through a comparative analysis of the Armenian translation, this study demonstrates how linguistic and cultural barriers are navigated to preserve Vonnegut’s original impact. The findings suggest that while formal equivalence is often used for direct imagery, dynamic equivalence and cultural adaptation are necessary to maintain the novel's biting humor and emotional resonance. This study contributes to Armenian literary research, with implications for the broader field of satirical and postmodern literary adaptation. Ultimately, the research highlights that successful translation in this context requires more than linguistic accuracy; it demands the recreation of Vonnegut’s complex worldview for the Armenian reader.
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Linguistics
THE INTERSECTION OF INTERPRETIVE AND COGNITIVE-LINGUISTIC ANALYSES IN TRANSLATION OF LITERARY TEXTS
AbstractThe present paper explores the intricate intersection of cognitive stylistics and hermeneutics within the framework of literary translation. Specifically, it examines the challenges of rendering metaphorical structures from English into Armenian, using selected excerpts from Jack London’s prominent novels: Martin Eden, The Star Rover and White Fang. Drawing upon G. Fauconnier’s “mental spaces,” P. Stockwell’s “figure and ground” concepts, and U. Eco’s “model reader,” the study investigates how translators navigate the cognitive and social schemata inherent in the source text. The research highlights the transition from literal translation to interpretive rendering, particularly in the case of “occasional” or novel metaphors that demand a deep hermeneutic analysis. By analyzing specific translational choices, such as the application of conceptual blending and the identification of universal versus context-specific metaphors, this paper demonstrates that successful translation is not merely a linguistic transfer but a dynamic reconstruction of the author’s original intention and the reader’s cognitive perception.
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