MAP Education and Humanities

Frontstage and backstage BELF email communication: a case study of a Turkish Bosnian company

Elma Dedovic Atlla — 2025-06-17

English has assumed the role of a global business lingua franca (BELF) at the turn of the 21^st century, with an ever-increasing number of multinational corporations (MNCs) adopting English as either their official corporate language, or, the working language as a natural byproduct of a company’s linguascape. This paper investigates the use of English in a business context drawing from the BELF paradigm, i.e. it sets out to compare and contrast the frontstage and backstage English in a multinational organization in written (email) communication, as an answer to a call by Kankaanranta et al. (2018), as this specific kind of study within this genre is still underrepresented and under-researched within the Global South setting.

The emails used in this study were collected from a small-sized Turkish-Bosnian international company based in B&H with a total of 10 employees. The approach adopted for the analysis of the study is discourse-analytical in its essence, supported by corpus analysis instruments. The analysis showed that the backstage English, primarily used among employees for internal communication, is indeed in most cases characterized by BELF features. Conversely, frontstage English, was shown to be aligned more closely with native English norms due to its role in corporate branding and external communication, although showing some variability as well. It is expected that the results of the study will help in understanding English communication nuances within this particular business context and help businesses foster clearer, more effective interactions across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

Challenges Faced by High School, University, and Adult Language Learners While Speaking English

Sedina Selimović-Korjenić — 2025-06-19

Speaking is generally considered an important indicator of foreign language proficiency, as it requires the ability to produce language in real-time and to communicate effectively with others. Being able to speak a language well means being able to use the appropriate grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation to express oneself clearly, which is not an easy task, and students face many difficulties trying to develop this language skill. The current study aimed to explore the difficulties faced by high school, university, and adult language learners while speaking English. The study is an empirical qualitative study in which the researcher used a semi-structured interview to collect data from 15 participants, 5 from each of the above-mentioned groups. The findings were sorted and analyzed into three categories of difficulties faced by students while speaking in English. The findings revealed that some of the main problems language learners experience while speaking in English are nervousness, lack of confidence, anxiety, lack of vocabulary, fear of being criticized by peers, grammar, and lack of fluency and vocabulary. This study suggested that creating a positive and supportive learning environment, empowering learners to take control of their learning, and providing ample opportunities for practice and interaction are key strategies for improving language learning outcomes.

Aqua Vitae: The Inner Seascape of Sylvia Plath

Ajla Smajic — 2025-09-10

This paper explores the profound and almost mystical connection between Sylvia Plath as a person and the element of water. It traces its presence across prose and personal history but with her poetry as the biggest focus. Water emerges as a central motif in Sylvia Plath’s work from childhood to adulthood as it is filled with emotional states transformative themes. This draws on biographical insights and highlights how her experienced were shaped by the metaphors of water as comfort and loss. In her work, water is depicted as a dual force, it is healing and secure while also being filled with fear and a tool of destruction. Works such as “Tulips”, “Crossing the River” and “Mirror” are examined to showcase the depth of the seascape which fills her life. (Transitions, transformations, the conscious and the unconscious and the lines of life). The paper finds that Plath’s use of water imagery not only enriches the emotional depth of her writing but also offers insight into her own world. The personal combines with the natural element to give ways Sylvia Plath lived her life. Ultimately, the paper argues that understanding Plath’s connection to water provides a deeper appreciation of her literary legacy and herself.