Generalized ConversationalImplicature in English and Arabic Religious Texts : A Contrastive Study

Abstract EN

A generalized conversational implicature (GCI) is an inference generated by a violation of a maxim, a failure to perform a maxim, particularly the first maxim of Quantity on the one hand, and by indirectness conditions, especially those indicative conditionals or disjunctives with non-truth functional grounds on the other (Grice, 1989: 38, 61).

As for the generalized conversational implicature, two models, Grice›s and that of الجرجاني , are to be considered for the purpose of comparison between English and Arabic religious texts in the present study.

GCI in Arabic is mainly embodied in « المجاز المرسل » (transformational allegory) which الجرجاني propounds under « اللفظ و النظم » (utterance and syntagm).

This research aims at: 1.

Tracing similarities and differences between English and Arabic as far as the notion of GCI is concerned.

2.

Finding a common criterion for the pragmatic analysis of GCI in English and Arabic religious texts.

3.

Identifying the indication of GCI in selected religious texts in English and Arabic.

It is hypothesized that: 1.

Points of accord can be observed between Grice and الجرجاني in their propounding of the generalized conversational implicature.

2.

Religious texts carrying generalized conversational implicatures are exposed to be more economic and more effective.

3.

Generalized conversational implicatures can lead to purposes of either faviourable or unfaviourable implications.

The following are the steps to be followed in the study: 1.

Surveying the notion of GCI in English and Arabic.

2.

Describing English and Arabic data of generalized conversational implicature, using the models which yield descriptions of either language.

3.

Applying the notion of GCI to English and Arabic religious texts selected from The New Testament and the Glorious Qur›an.

4.

Investigating the aspects of similarity and difference of this notion in both English and Arabic.

The findings of the investigation validate the above hypotheses.