A Phonological Study of the Patterns of Nicknames in Mosuli Arabic with Reference to Meaning

A Phonological Study of the Patterns of Nicknames in Mosuli Arabic with Reference to Meaning

Section: Article
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 22 (2026): issue 22
Pages
1186-1161

Abstract





Nicknaming is a widespread linguistic phenomenon, often used to express affection or familiarity. In many languages, including Mosuli Arabic, a single proper name can yield multiple nicknames depending on social and linguistic factors. This study investigates the phonological processes involved in the formation of nicknames in Mosuli Arabic, aiming to identify the rules and patterns that govern this transformation. Names are categorized according to syllable structure, vowel–consonant combinations, and stress patterns to uncover general tendencies in nickname formation. The analysis reveals that, while nickname creation often involves creative manipulation, it also reflects consistent underlying phonological structures. These findings highlight the intuitive linguistic knowledge speakers use in adapting proper names into more familiar forms





Keywords:

Nicknames, Mosuli Arabic, phonological patterns, syllable structure, and stress

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Authors

Zahraa Mohammed Saleh Ahmed

College of Basic Education / University of Mosul / Mosul - Iraq

Anmar Hammoodi Saeed

College of Arts / University of Mosul / Mosul - Iraq

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A Phonological Study of the Patterns of Nicknames in Mosuli Arabic with Reference to Meaning : A Phonological Study of the Patterns of Nicknames in Mosuli Arabic with Reference to Meaning . (2026). Journal of Education for the Humanities , 6(22), 1186-1161. https://jeh.uomosul.edu.iq/index.php/jeh/article/view/62402
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A Phonological Study of the Patterns of Nicknames in Mosuli Arabic with Reference to Meaning : A Phonological Study of the Patterns of Nicknames in Mosuli Arabic with Reference to Meaning . (2026). Journal of Education for the Humanities , 6(22), 1186-1161. https://jeh.uomosul.edu.iq/index.php/jeh/article/view/62402