Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 PhD Graduate Student, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University,Tehran, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Speech acts constitute a pivotal concept in both linguistics and the philosophy of language, delving into the functions and meanings of verbs within a discourse, considering social contexts and the relationships between speaker and listener. The primary objective of this research is to provide a systematic explanation of language functions. Adopting a pragmatic linguistic approach and employing John Searle's classification of speech acts, this study analyzes the prayer of Abu Hamzah Thamali. The aim is to identify the semantic rules governing the use of language to achieve specific speech acts and to represent the discourse of the prayer in relation to the human-divine connection. To this end, the prayer text is segmented into smaller semantic units and analyzed through Searle's theoretical framework. Findings reveal that the prayer of Abu Hamzah Thamali encompasses various speech acts, including Representatives, directives, expressives, and commissives, each serving a distinct purpose. Representatives speech acts exhibit the highest frequency (53%), followed by directives (35%). Expressives (11%) also have a notable presence, while commissives (1%) are employed minimally. These frequency counts indicate that the speaker primarily focuses on conveying beliefs, stating facts, and motivating the audience. Overall, this research demonstrates that speech act analysis serves as a potent tool for comprehending the linguistic structure and diverse functions of prayer. This method not only elucidates the underlying meanings and concepts embedded within the prayer text but also deepens our understanding of the communicative structure in religious texts.
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