A Pragmatic Analysis of a Select of Iraqi Proverbs

Abstract

This research paper is mainly concerned with the analysis of a select of Iraqi proverbs in terms of semantics, pragmatics and implicature. It is then a linguistic study that highlights the true meanings of the respective proverbs. Proverbs are meant to function in many ways within an Iraqi community because they are the latter’s product. This paper proves that the Iraqis tend to use very compact, brief and rhetorical speech acts as proverbs and messages having super effects on recipients. A select of Iraqi proverbs are taken into consideration to explain this phenomena and the reason behind the shaping factors of this kind of proverbs. Besides, the Iraqi proverbs mostly tend to use the formal language. Iraqis tend to employ Standard Arabic in their proverbs and in verses of wisdom-oriented poetry—not to mention Quranic verses or excerpts thereof—to cite the wisdom contained therein for the purpose of reforming and guiding people toward what benefits them and their society. This does not, however, imply that Iraqis do not use proverbs in the colloquial dialect; rather, they utilize them when such expressions are impactful within the appropriate context. In this respect, the dissertation is based on Sperber and Wilson’s Theory of Relevance, Herbert Paul Grice’s theory of the cooperative principle, and Searle and Austen’s speech act theory, which aim at explaining the way in which the addressers manage to convey to their recipients their intended message in an implied yet impressive manner.