Epithet in English and Arabic

Abstract EN

Epithet is a term used to characterize a person or a thing.

It is a descriptive word or a phrase added to or substituted for a person’s name.

The study is divided into three sections.

The first two sections deal with the concept of epithet in English and Arabic respectively.

Similarities and differences between English and Arabic in terms of the concept, types and uses make the third section of the paper.

The most important concluding remarks arrived at are: 1.

The concept of epithet in English and Arabic is the same but its realizations are different.

2.

Western scholars have tackled epithet from different levels but Arab linguists have discussed it only from a grammatical angle.

3.

In both languages, the combination of noun and adjective is not seen as a literal relationship but rather a non-literal one.

4.

Two forms of epithet are used in Arabic whereas English utilizes a number of forms for epithet.

5.

In English, the main use of epithet is in fiction and politics.

In Arabic, epithets are mostly employed for religious purposes.