Multifunctionality of mʕliʃ in Jordanian Arabic: A Discourse-Pragmatic Perspective
Abstract
The present study explored the pragmatic functions of Mʕliʃ in Jordanian Arabic. The data consisted of 175 tokens of Mʕliʃ compiled from naturally occurring interactions among speakers in the sample. The objective of the present research was to investigate the pragmatic functions of Mʕliʃ through a qualitative discourse-analytic approach, supported by descriptive quantitative analysis. Findings revealed that the Jordanian speakers in the sample utilized this discourse marker to perform 11 pragmatic functions: reassurance, politeness marker of requests, consolation, apology, disapproval, disagreement, asking for permission, conflict-calming, threat-making, turn-taking, and conversational closing. The data also showed that some functions, such as consolation, politeness markers of request, reassurance, and apology, were produced more frequently than others (e.g., disapproval and disagreement), which may reflect broader cultural values of harmony, solidarity, tolerance, and empathy. The study also suggests a possible association between gender and the distribution of these functions. The study indicates that women tended to use Mʕliʃ to perform politeness and supportive functions more than men did. Using a three-domain framework (facework-oriented functions, interactional management functions, and stance-marking and evaluative functions), the analysis of the research outcomes demonstrates that Mʕliʃ serves as a multifunctional pragmatic marker and that its interpretation depends on the situation or context.
- The study analyses 175 naturally occurring tokens of mʕliʃ.
- Mʕliʃ performs eleven pragmatic functions in Jordanian Arabic.
- Facework functions are the most frequent uses of mʕliʃ.
- The marker also manages interaction and indexes speaker stance.
- Gender-related patterns suggest different supportive and assertive uses.
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https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v26i2.1474
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