Evidentiality in Sa'di's Poetry and Prose: A Corpus Stylistic Study

This study introduces evidentiality to the stylistic analysis of literary works, focusing on Sa dī's use of linguistic means to illustrate a real or ideational world. Three of his major works are analyzed using Krippendoff's frequency approach, and it is argued that Sa dī deployed an array of evidentials, from direct visual evidentials to heard and quoted evidentials. The book will appeal to general linguists, pragmatics and stylistics practitioners, literary critics, and those interested in contrastive analysis of literature and cultural studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking study pioneers the application of evidentiality to the stylistic analysis of literary works, particularly focusing on the renowned Persian writer Sa'di. By delving into how Sa'di employed linguistic means to depict a real or ideational world, the authors shed light on the significance of evidentiality in shaping the narrative. They begin by introducing the concept of evidentiality, defining it, explaining its coding in Persian, and outlining the rationale behind its analysis. The book further explores the semantic-pragmatic functions of evidentiality, highlighting its role in establishing the validity of a narration and the author's commitment to it.

To demonstrate the application of evidentiality in Sa'di's works, the authors analyze three of his major masterpieces: Būstān, Golestān, and Sonnets. They employ Krippendoff's frequency approach to examine the prevalence of evidentials in these texts. The analysis reveals that Sa'di employed a diverse range of evidentials, including direct visual evidentials in Golestān and Sonnets, as well as heard and quoted evidentials in Būstān. To support their findings, the book includes translations of Sa'di's poetry and prose, allowing readers to appreciate the linguistic artistry of his writing.

In addition to analyzing Sa'di's works, the authors explore historical and contemporary manifestations of the Persian narrative style, examining the cultural concerns of the Persian speech community. They discuss the influence of Persian literature on other languages and cultures, as well as the challenges faced by Persian speakers in preserving their heritage and identity. The book appeals to a wide range of scholars, including general linguists, practitioners of pragmatics and stylistics, literary critics, and those interested in contrastive analysis of literature and cultural studies.

Through its comprehensive exploration of evidentiality and its application to Sa'di's literary works, this study offers valuable insights into the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Persia. It demonstrates the power of stylistic analysis in revealing the depth and complexity of literary works and contributes to our understanding of the role of language in shaping narratives and cultural identities.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032443607