چکیده:
Abstract: Examining the Islamic greeting formula. ?as-salaamu asalykum,
and [he responses to it, the paper shows that the form of this phatic
expression abounds with semantic information, expressing a variety of
meanings. This finding constitutes a strong challenge to the long standing
conception of a large number of scholars that phatic language is empty of
meaning.
Introduction:
Language fulfills a variety of communicative functions including
the phatic function discussed in sociolinguistics and anthropology. This
function “involves the use of language as a means of maintaining
interpersonal relations.” (de Waard and Nida 1986: 26-27). Expressions
used to establish such relations involve, interalia, greeting formulas like
good morning, good evening and hello.
Malinowski (1923) calls this type of linguistic function “phatic
communion” and defines it as a type of speech in which ties of union are
created by a mere exchange of words”. (p.315). Phatic expressions,
according to him, do not express meaning; rather they express a social
function; they do not come as a “result of intellectual reflection, nor do
they necessarily arouse reflection in the listener. Once again we may say
that language does not function as a means of transmission of thought.”
(p.315). Malinowski also, maintains that “phatic communion... serves to
establish bonds of personal union between people brought together by the
mere need of companionship and does not deserve any purpose of
ideas.” (p.316). Thus, he doubts that phatic expressions
express meaning, inquiring “Are words in phatic communion used
emirarily io convey meaning, the meaning which is symbolically theirs?
Certainly not! They fulfill a social function and that is their principal
aim...” (p.319).
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