Pragmatic Representations in Arabic Rhetorical Studies The Interrogative Chapter in Al-Qazwini’s Al-Idah as a Model

Abstract

This study attempts to provide an analysis of Arabic rhetorical studies through the lens of the modern theory of representation, focusing on the pragmatic aspects of this field. The study is guided by the following question: Does the theory of representation have the ability to provide a useful analysis of rhetorical studies by utilizing the pragmatic dimension of the application process?

The significance of this study lies in its pioneering use of the theory of representation in analyzing Arabic texts. Although it focuses on a scientific text in the field of Arabic rhetoric, it is a necessary step to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach in studying Arabic texts in general. Future studies, God willing, will expand to include literary texts .

The study aims to:

1-Define the term "representation" in a manner consistent with its new application in rhetorical studies, according to pragmatic principles .

2-Illustrate the sensory representations in the interrogation chapter by Al-Qazwini and their use in enriching Arabic rhetorical studies.

3-Identify some forms of mental representation in the interrogation chapter by AlQazwini and their role in producing literary meaning in the text.

The study is structured into an introduction and two main sections, preceded by this preface as follows:

-         Preface: Outlines the theoretical foundations of the study and defines the concepts of representation and pragmatics.

-         First Section: Examines realistic sensory representation (imagery) .

-Second Section: Explores mental abstract representation (imagination) .

The study reached two main conclusions, summarized as follows :

1-Establishing the foundation for using the theory of representation in a pragmatic manner in studying Arabic rhetorical texts.

2-The representations derived from the studied text are categorized into two main axes:  1-Sensory representations      2-Mental representations