scholarly journals Using Context Clues in Determining Contextual Meaning of Arabic Words

Author(s):  
Mohd Azidan Abdul Jabar ◽  
Syazmira Mansor

Language context plays an important role in determining the meaning of a word. To understand its meaning, it is imperative that context be considered. Today, many students have difficulty understanding the meaning of Arabic words as they are unable to understand the context. However, words, phrases or sentences in a text can serve as a guide or clue to understand the meaning of unknown words. This is termed as context clues. This study aims to identify how context clues help students determine the contextual meaning of an Arabic word. Their understanding process is analysed from the critical discourse analysis perspective using a three-dimensional model introduced by Fairclough (1989). This study was conducted using a questionnaire and interviews with twenty undergraduates studying Arabic language from five Malaysian universities. Five Arabic words were selected from five news texts quoted from the Arab news portal al-Ra’i (http://alrai.com/); covering sports, economics, politics, social and technology. The words selected have many meanings, depending on the context of the sentence. Students must determine the meaning contextually by stating the context clues in the text that guided them. The findings show that context clues can help students understand the meaning of Arabic words and enhance their understanding based on its sentence context. References

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imron Hizbullah ◽  
Muhammad Taufiq Al Makmun

<em>This paper investigates the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) in studying the inauguration speech of Donald Trump at the Capitol Hill, Washington DC on January 20, 2017. The objective of the study is to uncover the hidden messages regarding ideologies shared and critiques appointed to Obama’s presidency. The paper uses the theory of CDA by Norman Fairclough by focusing on the three aspects of research which are (1) micro or linguistic analysis, (2) Mezzo or discursive analysis, and (3) macro or contextual analysis. The three dimensional model of CDA is aimed to uncover the ideologies shared and critiques appointed to based on linguistic features, socio-political aspect, and discursive practice. The American Dream is represented in seven issues risen which are (1) US economic condition during Obama’s presidency, (2) US political condition during Obama’s presidency, (3) US social condition during Obama’s presidency, (4) The concept of making America great again, (5) Anti-radical Muslim immigrants, (6) America First, and (7) Nationalism. The result of the study reveals that the speech brought some ideologies or thoughts shared to the audiences and might change the people’s perception on Obama’s two periods of presidency who is considered as failure.</em>


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-57
Author(s):  
Sidra Mahmood

Linguistically, the word ‘language’ has shifted into ‘discourse’ which is a social phenomenon not only to express the thoughts but also to reflect the mindset and contexts of a specific community. The purpose of this study is to examine the slogans written on Pakistani automobiles and to understand the logic behind the social and cultural affiliations of these slogans. Pakistani culture of the art of making pictures and written phrases, poetic verses and imperative sentences on vehicles is famous all over the world. The study has analysed the writings found on vehicles, and although these writings might look trivial on the automobiles, they address various social issues. The Three-Dimensional Model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) by Fairclough (2001) is used as a theoretical framework that explains the study at three levels: lexical, syntactic patterns, interpretations, and social practices. The discourses written on the vehicles are characterised into different categories, which are life’s mission statements, loud messages, mind baffling messages, everyday life annoyances, provoking statements, and religious looms. Twenty images and pictures have been captured from vehicles as a random sample of this study. The results reveal the mindset behind these discourses. They are used to highlight social issues which Pakistan faces, being a developing country. In short, the study discloses the strong link between the vehicles and the people using them to convey messages to the society which can bring harmony among the public. The current study is limited to only Pakistani motor vehicles.


Author(s):  
Seyyed Alireza Hamedi ◽  
Seyyedeh Mina Hamedi ◽  
Seyyedeh Maryam Hamedi ◽  
Seyyedeh Massoumeh Hamedi

The present study aims at exploring the extent to which Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) familiarity may have an impact on flow experience. In so doing, the community sample of 60 students comprising 16 males and 44 females participated in the study. Initially, the pretest was conducted to ensure the homogeneity of their proficiency level. Besides, the participants were asked to reflect on their flow experience while reading three distinct genres of journalistic texts prior to the application of the treatment. During the treatment phase, they were instructed how to critically examine other journalistic texts relying on Fairclough’s (1989) three dimensional model along with Van Dijk’s (1995) theoretical framework of CDA over 10 successive sessions. Finally, utilizing paired- samples  t-tests, the results of the posttests on the very three texts which were conducted at the pretest stage, indicated that the application of CDA  has a significant influence on the students’ optimal experience while reading descriptive, expository, and narrative genres of journalistic texts.


2020 ◽  
pp. 147402222094482
Author(s):  
Eloise Symonds

Recognising the popularity of partnership models, this article questions the current literature on partnership within the humanities and explores the possibility of effectively implementing partnership within the English discipline, through exploration of the traditional modes of learning associated with specific disciplines and the barriers that exist through the traditional teacher-learner dynamic. It considers the difficulty of breaking down both the conventional learning methods of reading English and traditional hierarchies in universities in order to foster more collaborative processes. In this article, I use Fairclough’s three-dimensional model of critical discourse analysis to explore 32 interviews, 12 observations and 12 policy documents from two post-1992 English universities. Negotiating partnership models in the humanities requires further exploration, with attention given to conventional methods of learning associated with disciplines, traditional learner-teacher hierarchies and the structural barriers these associations create for establishing collaborative learning relationships between academics and undergraduates.


2018 ◽  
Vol III (I) ◽  
pp. 298-324
Author(s):  
Abdul Waheed Qureshi ◽  
Rab Nawaz Khan

The research in hand is a textual analysis of the novel Body Surfing by Anita Shreve which explains the role of language in the construction of an ideology as reality. The aim is to highlight the construction of a certain concept or ideology as a dominant truth claim in society through discourse and how is it blindly followed by all the members without the least strife to change that socalled dominant ideology. Language as a major agent in the construction and perpetuation of an ideology is forever the discourse of those who are in power. This research will propound the discourse active behind the verity of 'oppression' done to women as taken-for-granted and fair. By employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as research method, the study will critically examine the role of language in legalizing women oppression. We have cultivated the idea of 'women as weak' into something real, that has come to us generation after generation, through language. This supposition provides theoretical underpinnings for the research, which is arrived at through CDA by treating language post-structurally. The literature analyzed highlights the role of language in the process of meaning-making by considering it to convey reality. The various words and phrases from the extracts in hand with contextual and conceptual affiliation, are dealt with under the backdrop of Fairclough's (1992) Three Dimensional Model of CDA, which results in the recognition of oppression thought as legitimate by the ultimate use of language. The analysis done under the backdrop of poststructuralism will show that language is not the depiction of maximum reality rather; it is we, the users of language, who make it real by considering some concepts as truth and others as myth. The paper concludes that the opposite gender is actually oppressed and that this oppression is not given, rather the constructed one. CDA challenges this oppression and declares it the work of language only. It (language) has no signs of reality, subsistence or truth.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1279
Author(s):  
Joshua Addy ◽  
Emmanuel Amo Ofori

Referring to politicians’ use of language to promote their ideologies before, during and after elections, campaign speeches represent a key genre in political discourse. In this study, we examine the campaign speech of a Ghanaian opposition leader, Nana Akufo-Addo, at the manifesto launch of his party. We analyze his use of language to create identity and solidarity with the electorate, with the aim of persuading them to accept and support his ideas and ultimately vote for him. Drawing on Fairclough’s three-dimensional model of critical discourse analysis (CDA), the study revealed that Nana Addo utilised the pronouns I, you, our and we and repetition to create a positive bond, identify and show solidarity with the electorate. Also, these strategies were aimed at persuading voters to endorse him as the most credible candidate for the position of president. This study contributes to CDA research on the nexus between language, politics and society.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 482-511
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Dowaidar

AbstractThis study is an attempt to investigate medieval humor in the Ayyubid period (1171–1250). In a period of constant wars, terrible plagues, and turmoil, Ibn Mammātī wrote a pamphlet entitled Kitāb al-Fāshūsh fi Aḥkām Qarâqûsh (stupidity, or the decisions of Qarâqûsh). It is a small volume which contains words and actions that Qarâqûsh could have said or done. The book is written as an attempt to ridicule one of the most important political leaders of the Ayyubid state Emir Qarâqûsh Ibn ‘Abd Allāh al-Asadī (surnamed as Bah’āaddīn Qarâqûsh) (n.d. – April 1201). The book is so influential that historical facts are overshadowed, and overwhelmed by the humorous anecdotes that branded Qarâqûsh forever as a symbol of a lunatic tyrant. This manuscript, however, is believed to be one of the oldest books on political humor in the Egyptian history (Al-Najjār 1978: 56). Therefore, using a critical discourse analysis perspective, the study seeks to examine and analyze humor and jokes in selected anecdotes from Ibn Mammātī’s book. I have drawn upon the three-dimensional model of discourse analysis developed by Norman Fairclough (1992a, 1995a, 1995b, 2001, 2003). The study aims to prove that this pamphlet has been used in the entire Islamic world in different epochs as a defense mechanism against all the ruthless sultans, kings, rulers, and presidents. I claim that these jokes have served as a sort of recreation for the people, as a means of peaceful protest, and as a silent cry against oppression and tyranny.


sjesr ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-19
Author(s):  
Aasia Nusrat ◽  
Sardaraz Khan ◽  
Ms. Shaista Shehzadi

This study aims to explore and uncover power play in Dharna 2014 speeches of Imran Khan. The study has followed the theoretical perspective of power (Fairclough, 2003) in its two-dimensions i.e. power within and behind discourse. This research is significant in terms of enabling common public of Pakistan to understand their leader in terms of the concept of power by comprehending the meaning that language conveys. The research method applies thematic analysis and utilizes Fairclough’s three-dimensional model (1989) as data analyzing tool. The speeches were analyzed by considering Textual, Discursive and Societal levels of discourse. The key findings in case of power within discourse include that the speaker showed the use of pronoun ‘I’ in order to show his power and by using the pronoun ‘we’ he gained the support of the audience in order to win their hearts and reflect this as a power on the rulers. The speakers explained in detail the unjust rule of the government by using different linguistic tools like modal verbs, vocabulary, transitivity, inter-discourse etc. Moreover, in case of power behind discourse, the key findings include the power of west and Islam in the speaker’s speeches.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Ali Furqan Syed ◽  
Samina Naz ◽  
Rizwana Yousaf ◽  
Muhammad Ali Shahid ◽  
Shahnawaz Shahid

Language considers a form of social practice in Critical Discourse Analysis, and it is frequently used in political discourse written, verbal and visual including public speeches. This paper examines the Prime Minister of Canada's press conference speech, held at the House of Commerce on June 8, 2021 (https://www.rev.com/blog, 2021), in the aftermath of a Muslim family's murder in Ontario's London. The Three-Dimensional Model of Fairclough has been used to investigate the implicit/explicit power displayed in PM Justin's speech, as well as the display of power at the textual, discursive, and societal levels, in the context of the speech's two key themes: anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia. The study examines speech using a qualitative approach and addresses power within the discourse as well as the power behind the discourse. The findings show how language reflects political leaders' ideologies and how social behaviors can shape and be shaped by speech. The Prime Minister skillfully employed language to convey the ideological divides between Muslim communities and the western communities. After drawing the line of demarcation, he urged world leaders to take steps to resolve their differences to achieve global harmony and peace. This study enables the general public to comprehend Justin Trudeau's position on prevalent intolerance and the ideology of Islamophobia, as well as its effects.


2019 ◽  
Vol IV (I) ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
Akbar Ali ◽  
Salma Hassan ◽  
Fazal Hanan

The main purpose of the study is to highlight the ideological representation of an Islamic state, Pakistan along with leadership mindset in the textbook. It is a discourse study of the prescribed English textbook used as a core teaching material at intermediate level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. The researcher has analyzed various extracts and taken different lessons from the textbook of English compulsory taught at second year in the intermediate level. The study has used the Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis as a tool for the analysis of the textbook. In this connection the researcher has used the three dimensional model as framework for the analysis of the textbook. After a detailed analysis of the various lessons in the textbook, the researcher has given findings and further recommendations at the end of the study. The findings show that the prescribed textbook taught at intermediate level represents the ideology of the state as well as Islamic ideology along with the leadership qualities for the students.


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