The Role of English Loanwords in Kurdish EFL Pronunciation Challenges

The present study aims at investigating the role of English loanwords in Kurdish English as a Foreign Language (EFL) pronunciation challenges while speaking English. To explore the pronunciation challenges and difficulties, a questionnaire is designed which consists of 20 items focusing on issues associated with the mispronunciation of English loanwords of Kurdish EFL learners. The questionnaire is given to the students at English department, College of Education, Charmo University and the collected data are analyzed statistically. A study hypothesizes that Kurdish EFL learners may have challenges and difficulties in pronouncing English loanwords when speaking English meanwhile the first language affects pronouncing the loanwords while they speak English. Hence, the students should avoid using pronunciation rules of the first language to pronounce the English loanwords while communicating in English. This helps the Kurdish EFL students pronounce the English loanwords correctly and communicate accurately. According to the findings and conclusion of the present study, it is suggested that Kurdish EFL students should be aware of pronouncing English loanwords and use the original pronunciation of the loanwords when speaking English.