Investigating Politeness in the Prayers of Prophets: A Quranic Discourse Perspective


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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1744

Keywords:

Pragmatics, Politeness Principles, Politeness Strategies, Quranic Discourse, Prophets’ Prayers

Abstract

In religious contexts, prayers are essential communication between humanity and the divine. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the concept of politeness in the context of the Qur'anic prayers delivered by the Prophets. By adopting a Qur'anic discourse perspective, the study uncovered the underlying patterns and linguistic devices used in expressing reverence and humility before God. It also aimed to identify the communication strategies used in the prayers to determine how these principles were manifested. There was an argument that the communication strategy employed by the prophets implicitly manifested their humility and politeness, a fundamental attribute of the messengers of God. To address this, the politeness maxims proposed by Leech and insights into strategies in interpersonal communication developed by Brown and Levinson served as an analytical framework for examining politeness discourse strategies within prayer utterances. In addition, pragmatic identity and contextual methods were employed to understand the context of these utterances. The results showed several politeness maxims observed in the Qur'anic prayers of the prophets, including the maxims of tact, approval, and modesty. It also revealed the wisdom evident in their language and behavior. The Prophets utilized two strategies in their pursuit of politeness: the 'on-record' strategy, characterized by direct and explicit expressions and the 'off-record' strategy, involving indirect and subtle expressions. This study contributed to a deeper understanding of politeness's linguistic and cultural implications in religious communication. It also provided insight into the divine-human relationship portrayed in the Qur'an.

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Author Biographies

Muhammad Lukman Arifianto, Arabic Department, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang

Muhammad Lukman Arifianto is an Arabic Linguistics Lecturer at Universitas Negeri Malang. With a solid academic background in Arabic Linguistics, Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics, and Second Language Acquisition, he delves into the intricacies of language use. Muhammad's study focuses on various aspects of Arabic linguistics, pragmatics in Arabic discourse, sociolinguistic phenomena in Arabic-speaking communities, and second language acquisition. Through his dedication and expertise, he contributes valuable insights to the field. You can contact him at muhammad.arifianto.fs@um.ac.id.

Kholisin Kholisin, Arabic Department, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang

Kholisin is an Associate Professor of Arabic Linguistics at the Department of Arabic Literature, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang. With extensive academic credentials, Kholisin holds relevant degrees and expertise in the field. His study interests encompass Arabic Linguistics, Antropolinguistics, Sociolinguistics, and Arabic Grammar Teaching and Learning. Through his study, Kholisin explores the intricacies of the Arabic language, investigates the interaction between language and culture, studies sociolinguistic phenomena in Arabic-speaking communities, and contributes to advancing Arabic grammar pedagogy. As an accomplished scholar and educator, Kholisin plays a pivotal role in shaping Arabic linguistics and language education. You can contact him at kholisin.fs@um.ac.id.

Iqbal Fathi Izzudin, Arabic Department, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang

Iqbal Fathi Izzudin is an Arabic studies student at Universitas Negeri Malang. His interests in language and culture drive his academic journey. Iqbal's study spans Arabic translation, Quranic studies, and gamification. He is passionate about exploring language nuances through translation and delving into the profound aspects of the Quran. Additionally, he finds the integration of gamification in language learning intriguing, with its potential to enhance education. With dedication and a fresh perspective, Iqbal aims to contribute to advancing the Arabic language and literature. You can contact him at iqbal.fathi.1902316@students.um.ac.id.

Zulfa Azali Mujahidah, Arabic Department, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang

Zulfa Azalia Mujahidah is a Department of Arabic Literature student, the Faculty of Letters at Universitas Negeri Malang. Currently pursuing her academic journey, Zulfa is deeply interested in language and literature. Her study interests are Arabic learning media, Arabic literature, and semiotics. She is particularly fascinated by the development of practical learning tools for Arabic language acquisition, exploring the rich world of Arabic literature, and studying the intricate signs and symbols in linguistic communication. With her dedication and passion for language studies, Zulfa aspires to contribute to the field and promote the understanding and appreciation of the Arabic language and its diverse literary heritage. You can reach her at zulfa.azalia.2002316@students.um.ac.id.  

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2023-12-19

How to Cite

Arifianto, M. L., Kholisin, K., Izzudin, I. F. ., & Mujahidah, Z. A. (2023). Investigating Politeness in the Prayers of Prophets: A Quranic Discourse Perspective. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 10(5), 112–135. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1744

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Special Issue (Speech Acts: Research Studies across Languages and Cultures) Vol 10(5) (2023)

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Received 2023-06-23
Accepted 2023-08-25
Published 2023-12-19
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