Biography

Belal Rakhieh is an Associate Professor of Linguistics and Phonology in the Department of English Language and Literature at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (AHU), Ma'an, Jordan. He holds a PhD in Linguistics (Phonology) from the University of Essex, UK (2009), an MA in Linguistics and Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Jordan (2000), and a BA in English Language and Literature from the United Arab Emirates University (1997). He has taught at AHU since 2002. His courses cover linguistics, phonetics, phonology, grammar and research writing at undergraduate and graduate level, and he supervises MA theses. His research deals with the phonology of Jordanian Arabic, the morphology-phonology interface, sociolinguistics and contrastive studies. He has published on Arabic diglossia, code-switching and idiom translation, including two papers in Scopus Q1 journals. At AHU he has served as Director of the Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah Library (2011-2013), Dean of Student Affairs (2013-2017), Acting Dean of the College of Arts (2016), and Director of the International Relations Office and Consultant to the University President for International Affairs (2017-2018). He took part twice in the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program (2015 and 2018) and in Erasmus and TEMPUS projects.

Degree Major University Year
PhD
Linguistics / Phonology University of Essex
United Kingdom
2009
Master's Degree
Linguistics / Speech and Language Pathology The University of Jordan
Jordan
2000
Bachelor's Degree
English Language and Literature United Arab Emirates University
United Arab Emirates
1997
Position University / Department Period
Associate Professor
Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in linguistics, phonetics, phonology, grammar and research writing; supervising graduate theses; contributing to curriculum development and departmental work.
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University
College of Arts Department of English Language and Literature
2015/09
Present
Assistant Professor
Taught undergraduate courses in linguistics, phonetics, phonology and grammar, and supervised student research.
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University
College of Arts Department of English Language and Literature
2009/09
2015/08
Lecturer
Taught undergraduate English language and linguistics courses.
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University
College of Arts Department of English Language and Literature
2002/09
2004/08
Position Institution Period
University President Consultant for International Affairs
Advised the University President on international partnerships and strategy, and served as liaison between the President's office and international academic institutions.
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University 2017/09
2018/10
Director, International Relations Office
Managed the university's international relations activities and programs, and developed and maintained relationships with international partners.
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University 2017/09
2018/10
Acting Dean, College of Arts
Provided interim leadership for the College of Arts.
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University 2016/07
2016/09
Dean of Student Affairs
Oversaw student services, activities and welfare programs, managed the deanship's budget and staff, and dealt with student concerns.
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University 2013/09
2017/08
Director, Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah Library
Managed library operations, resources and staff, and developed library services to support research and learning.
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University 2011/09
2013/08
1
Analysing resumptives in French spoken by Jordanian tour guides
Malkawi, N., Rakhieh, B., & Al-Saidat, E.
Journal Article 2026
JournalSocial Sciences and Humanities Open
Published2026/06/01
AuthorsMalkawi, N., Rakhieh, B., & Al-Saidat, E.
TypeJournal Article
This study investigates the usage of resumptive elements (REs) in the spontaneous French of Jordanian Arabic-bilingual tour guides. We suggest that the grammatical resumption system of their first language (L1), Jordanian Arabic, will considerably affect their second language (L2) French syntax, characterised as an "intrusive resumption" language where REs are mostly ungrammatical. We looked at real-life audio recordings from guided tours and found that people preferred subject REs (like ils and elle) over object REs. Subject pronouns constituted 90% of all REs used by Jordanian guides. In a similar sample of native French speakers, they represented 81%. This overproduction is seen as a direct transfer from Arabic, where resumption is an essential syntactic approach. The results suggest that REs serve as a compensatory mechanism to alleviate processing demands and surmount obstacles associated with the French gap strategy in real-time speech production. These findings clarify the connection between L1 transfer and bilingual syntax, providing insights into the adaptation of L2 learners in professional environments. The findings have importance for language teaching, demonstrating that students who speak a language similar to their own need specific education on how to employ native-like syntactic mechanisms.
2
Code-switching among Arab users of social media platforms: A sociolinguistic analysis (in progress)
Rakhieh, B., Malkawi, N., & Al-Saidat, E.
Other 2026
Journal
Published2026/01/01
AuthorsRakhieh, B., Malkawi, N., & Al-Saidat, E.
TypeOther
3
A lexical study of coffee shop signs in Jordan
Alkhaldi, A. A., Rababah, M. A., Al-Saidat, E. M., Rakhieh, B. M., & Rababah, K. A.
Journal Article 2023
JournalInternational Journal of English Language and Literature Studies
Published2023/01/12
AuthorsAlkhaldi, A. A., Rababah, M. A., Al-Saidat, E. M., Rakhieh, B. M., & Rababah, K. A.
TypeJournal Article
Shop signs are essential because potential customers see signs before they use the service that a business offers. This study investigates how the promotion of goods or services is lexicalized in commercial café signs in the trendy Jordanian society. It investigates the linguistic material of café signs in a sample of 142 café sign boards in Irbid-Jordan. The signs were photographed and 20 cafés' owners were interviewed to better understand the factors that affect their use of café signs. The study employed the qualitative approach to analyse the observation and interview data. The results revealed that the café signage was largely dominated by the English language due to its vitality, globalization, economic motivations, and the customers' positive attitudes toward English. The study also revealed the lexicalization of trendy café names, lexical modernization, foreign cultural and pragmatic referents, such as superiority, religious, emotional, ethical, physical strength, color, historical, floral, celebrity reference which aim to heighten prominence. Different linguistic strategies including politeness strategy, personification, and metaphor were found in the signs to attract customers. The study would contribute to a better understanding of the use of English in lingua franca contexts in Jordan, and utilizing these commercial signs as a realistic source of learning linguistic strategies and pragmatics.
4
Acoustic study of the production of stressed and unstressed-reduced syllables in word recognition
Kreishan, L., Abu Rakiyyeh, B., & Abuoudeh, M.
Journal Article 2022
JournalThe Journal of Al-Hussein Bin Talal University for Research
Published2022/01/01
AuthorsKreishan, L., Abu Rakiyyeh, B., & Abuoudeh, M.
TypeJournal Article
5
Translation of culturally bound color-based idioms: A case study of Jordanian BA English students
Rakhieh, B. A., Al-Saidat, E. M., Al-Shammari, J. N., & Rabab'ah, K. A.
Journal Article 2014
JournalInternational Journal of Translation
Published2014/01/01
AuthorsRakhieh, B. A., Al-Saidat, E. M., Al-Shammari, J. N., & Rabab'ah, K. A.
TypeJournal Article
6
Conversational sequences and dialogue grammar in Kam
Rakhieh, B. A., & Abbadi, R.
Journal Article 2014
JournalInternational Journal of Academic Research
Published2014/01/01
AuthorsRakhieh, B. A., & Abbadi, R.
TypeJournal Article
7
Developing student translation competence: A practical approach employed in teaching English-Arabic translation courses
Abbadi, R., & Rakhieh, B. A.
Journal Article 2014
JournalAl-Hussein Bin Talal Journal of Research
Published2014/01/01
AuthorsAbbadi, R., & Rakhieh, B. A.
TypeJournal Article
8
Arabic diglossia: A phonological study
Amer, F. H., Al-Adaileh, B. A., & Rakhieh, B. A.
Journal Article 2011
JournalArgumentum
Published2011/01/01
AuthorsAmer, F. H., Al-Adaileh, B. A., & Rakhieh, B. A.
TypeJournal Article
9
The Phonology of Ma'ani Arabic: Stratal or Parallel OT
Rakhieh, B. A.
PhD Dissertation 2009
Journal
Published2009/01/01
AuthorsRakhieh, B. A.
TypePhD Dissertation
Conference / Paper Location Date Participation
International Conference on Linguistics (ICL) - Petra I
The impact of phonetic instruction on listening ability enhancement: A case study from Jordan
Petra, Ma'an (organized by Al-Hussein Bin Talal University)
Jordan
2013/11/19 Paper Presentation
International Conference on Linguistics (ICL) - Petra I
Developing student translation competence: A practical approach employed in teaching English-Arabic translation courses
Petra, Ma'an (organized by Al-Hussein Bin Talal University)
Jordan
2013/11/19 Paper Presentation
Essex Graduate Conference in Linguistics (EGCL 12)
Geminates inalterability and inseparability in Jordanian Arabic
University of Essex, Colchester
United Kingdom
2007/05/01 Paper Presentation
Workshop Organizer Date Role
TOEFL Preparation Training (certification obtained)
Amideast
Jordan
2024/05/19 Participant
Third International Staff Week (Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility KA107)
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2018/11/26 Participant
TEMPUS Project EQTEL Training (Technology Enhanced Learning)
University of Turku
Turku, Finland
2017/02/26 Participant
MEDAWEL Project: Integrating a Holistic Approach to Student Services for Increased Student Well-being
MEDAWEL TEMPUS Project
Amman, Jordan
2015/10/12 Participant
MEDAWEL TEMPUS Project National Conference
MEDAWEL TEMPUS Project
Beirut, Lebanon
2015/09/11 Participant
MEDAWEL TEMPUS Project Meeting
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
2015/06/10 Participant
MEDAWEL TEMPUS Project Meeting
University of Alicante
Alicante, Spain
2015/01/26 Participant
Committee Organization Role Period
University Council
Council
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Member - Representative of the College of Arts 2026/10 — Present
Faculty of Arts Council
Council
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Member 2023/09 — 2024/08
Organizing Committee, International Conference on Linguistics (ICL) - Petra I
Conference committee
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Member 2013/01 — 2013/11
Faculty of Arts Council
Council
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Member 2012/09 — 2013/08
University Council
Council
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Member 2012/09 — 2013/08
UNESCO Club, Deanship of Student Affairs
Student club
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Counselor 2012/09 — 2013/08
Academic Appointments Committee, Language Centre
Academic committee
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Member 2012/01 — 2012/12
Administrative Staff Affairs Committee
University committee
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Member 2011/09 — 2017/08
Higher Committee of Students' Union Elections, Deanship of Student Affairs
University committee
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Member 2011/01 — 2011/12
Study Plans Committee
Academic committee
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Chair 2010/09 — 2012/08
Committees of Enquiry
University committee
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University Chair and member 2009/09 — Present
Award Granting Body Year Amount
International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP): Creating Pathways to University Partnerships
Honor
U.S. Department of State 2018
International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP): Youth and Community Conflict Resolution
Honor
U.S. Department of State 2015

Additional Information

Day Time Location Notes
Interest Area Description
Phonology Analysis of the sound systems of Arabic dialects, particularly Jordanian Arabic and the dialect of Ma'an, within Optimality Theory (OT).
Morphology-Phonology Interface How morphological and phonological processes interact in Arabic.
Sociolinguistics Diglossia, code-switching and language use in society.
Contrastive Studies Arabic-English comparison and its implications for teaching and translation.
Field Description
Linguistics
Phonetics
Phonology
English Grammar
Research Writing
English Writing and Communication
Course Code Level Credits

Languages: Arabic (native), English (excellent), French (fair). English Academic Supervisor and Teacher, English Access Microscholarship Program, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Jordan and delivered by Al Qantara Center for Human Resources Development, Ma'an (2014 - present). English Academic Supervisor and Teacher, American Language Center (ALC), Ma'an (2022-2024); member of the organizing committee that established the center. Research interests: phonology, the morphology-phonology interface, sociolinguistics, contrastive studies. Technical skills: Microsoft Office, Moodle, AI tools for teaching and research.