Journal of Studies in Applied Language (JSAL)
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1- Master of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Qom University, Qom, Iran , samanefathollahzade@gmail.com
2- Assistant Professor and Faculty of Arabic Language and Literature Department, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Gilan University, Gilan, Iran
2- Assistant Professor and Faculty of Arabic Language and Literature Department, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Gilan University, Gilan, Iran
Abstract: (166 Views)
Discourse analysis often employs the theory of speech acts, a cornerstone of pragmatics that explores language's role in social interaction and offers a potent method for dissecting literary texts. John Searle, building upon the philosophical foundations laid by his mentor Austin, concentrated on language's philosophical dimensions and classified speech acts into five categories: assertives, expressives, directives, commissives, and declarations. This study scrutinizes Imam Ali's letter to Malik al-Ashtar using Searle's speech act theory. Findings suggest that directive acts are most prevalent in Imam Ali's political discourse, with commands and persuasions being used to engage Malik al-Ashtar's attention and to steer him toward the letter's content and Imam Ali's viewpoints. Imam Ali adeptly employed these directive acts to maintain his audience's engagement. Assertive acts, used for clarification and exposition, are also prominent in his letters. Imam Ali relied on these to recount past events or to issue warnings, as his primary objective in writing was to enlighten and inform Malik al-Ashtar. Expressive acts, which convey the writer's sentiments, perspectives, and reflections on occurrences, are less frequent in Imam Ali's correspondence and are fitting given the letters' context. Commissive acts are similarly scarce, as Imam Ali did not outline future actions for Malik, and the letters lack a commissive character. Furthermore, Imam Ali utilized declarative acts to proclaim new conditions for Malik, employing verbs such as appointing, announcing, and revoking, which are characteristic of declarative speech acts that announce changes in the world.
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