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Borrowed English Words in Iraqi Arabic: A Lexical Analysis

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  • Najwa Nabeel Kamel

    (University of Muthanna, College of Education of Humanities Sciences, Department of English, Iraq)

Abstract

This research discusses loanwords from English into Iraqi Arabic and how some of these words have become part of our speech. It explores how borrowed words adapt to their new environment and the phonetic changes they undergo. The research focuses on loanwords used in hospital settings among doctors, nurses, and even patients. Words related to medical equipment and diseases used in hospitals were collected. The reasons for borrowing and using English words in Iraqi Arabic are attributed to technological development, the emergence of the internet and social media, and the global dominance of English as a universal language. In Iraq, the American invasion led to the borrowing of many English words into Iraqi Arabic, and these words continue to be used today. The pronunciation of borrowed words differs due to grammatical differences between English and Arabic. Another reason is that English contains letters not found in Arabic, such as (V) and (P), while Arabic does have (F) and (B). Borrowed words adapt to the new language. Even the plural forms differ.

Suggested Citation

Handle: RePEc:cxi:jlls00:v:4:y:2026:i:2:id:813
DOI: 10.61424/jlls.v4i2.813
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