Metadiscourse Markers in English and Arabic Opinion Columns: A Contrastive Study

Metadiscourse markers are crucial in opinion columns, enabling writers to engage readers and present persuasive arguments. However, their usage varies across languages for several reasons. Our study investigates the differences in the use of metadiscourse markers in English and Arabic opinion columns. Using Hyland's (2005) taxonomy, we analyzed 80 opinion columns through a mixed-method approach. While both languages exhibited similar patterns in interactive markers, notable differences emerged in interactional markers. English columnists employed more frequent hedging and direct self-reference, whereas Arab writers favored boosters and collective pronouns. Although both groups prioritized engagement markers, their implementation varied. English writers tended to use explicit imperatives and questions, whereas Arab writers preferred culture-specific references and implicit commands. These findings provide important theoretical and pedagogical implications for language teaching and translation practices between English and Arabic, highlighting the need to account for cultural and rhetorical preferences.