International Journal of Language & Linguistics

Exaggeration Expressions of Arabic used by University Instructors and Students: The Case of Ajloun National University
Dr. Mahmoud A. Al. Sobh

Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate Arabic exaggeration expressions that are used in congratulation and the influence of the variable of gender on using such expressions . The participants were 23 instructors and 22 BA Jordanian students at Ajloun National University . This study is based on the quantitative (questionnaire) approach. Participants were asked to complete the five Likert scale questionnaire according to their frequent use of the exaggeration expressions. The researcher used frequencies, percentages, means and three way ANOVA to analyze the data. The findings of this study reveals that the exaggeration expression , such as "Alf mabruuk, Mubarak" is the most prominent (mean 4.05) expression used by students and instructors, it got the highest agreement degree followed by "Alf alftrilyunmabruuk". The findings also reveal that exaggeration expressions are used on happy, social and religious occasions which people got used to using them, they become part of their customs and culture. They are used for encouragement, overstatement of numbers and providing addressees with a kind of happiness. The findings also reveal no statistically significant differences between male and female instructors and also students due to gender. Some recommendations were suggested.

Full Text: PDF