Sociolinguistics and the Analysis of Youth Discourse on Iraqi Social Media

20-05-2026

“Sociolinguistics and the Analysis of Youth Discourse on Iraqi Social Media”
Today, Wednesday, 20 May 2026, the Department of Linguistic and Translation Studies at Bayt Al Hikma organized a scientific workshop entitled “Sociolinguistics and the Analysis of Youth Discourse on Iraqi Social Media” in Dr. Mahmoud Ali Al-Daoud Hall, under the supervision and attendance of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the House of Wisdom, Dr. Qahtan Nima Hassan Al-Khafaji.
The session was chaired by Professor Dr. Imad Jassim Salman, Media Advisor to Bayt Al Hikma, and moderated by ??????? Qais Nasser from the Department of Linguistic and Translation Studies.
Through the presented research papers, the workshop sought to shed light on the analysis of youth discourse that reflects the reality of young people’s lives in Iraq, while identifying challenges and proposing appropriate solutions. The study of language occupies a central place in the concerns of nations and societies, as it constitutes a fundamental pillar in shaping social identity.
The workshop commenced with a welcoming speech by the session chair, followed by the presentation of research papers delivered by a number of distinguished scholars and specialists.
Professor Dr. Abdul Wahid Mishal from the College of Arts at the University of Baghdad discussed sociolinguistics as an effective analytical tool for addressing Iraqi youth amid rapid digital transformations, and explored ways of employing this field in communicating with them.
Professor Dr. Mohammed Khudair Al-Zoubi from the College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Baghdad presented a research paper offering an explanatory study of sociolinguistics and youth discourse analysis, taking social media platforms as a model. He examined the stylistic and semantic transformations that have affected both Classical Arabic and colloquial language as a result of digital interaction and linguistic blending.
Likewise, Professor Dr. Imad Mohammed Mahmoud from the College of Arts at the University of Baghdad presented a paper entitled “Language and Identity in Iraqi Youth Digital Discourse,” addressing the impact of cultural discourse in strengthening language and expressing national identity, belonging, culture, history, and social character. He also emphasized the importance of activating such discourse within universities and schools.
On the other hand, Professor Dr. Haider Fadhil from the College of Arts at the University of Baghdad delivered a research paper on linguistic alienation in contemporary digital media. He discussed the influence of language on human thought and culture, stressing the need to reformulate the linguistic system through comprehensive efforts involving both institutions and individuals in order to limit the dominance of digital spaces over younger generations.
In addition, Dr. Nizar Abdul Ghafar Al-Samarrai from the College of Arts at Al-Esraa University presented a paper entitled “Youth Discourse on Social Networks between Language and Social Identity,” examining the impact of social media language on society in the formation of multiple identities based on criteria such as age and ideological affiliation, which in turn has contributed to social fragmentation and the emergence of internal conflicts.
In the concluding session, Dr. Iman Salim Yousif from the College of Arts at Al-Mustansiriya University presented a research paper on verbal violence in sports discourse, highlighting the relationship between sociolinguistics and digital discourse analysis within the Iraqi environment, along with the presentation and analysis of selected examples of sports-related comments made by young people online.

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