Pragmatics of the term "Deviation" in the works of Al-Sakkaki, Ibn Al-Athir, and Al-Alawi

Abstract

The term "deviation" gains its pragmatics in Arabic rhetorical texts by being, on one hand, a rhetorical term and, on the other hand, a semantic term. It is concerned with Arabic expression in its rhetorical nuances, and it also pertains to the significance of words in terms of their usage. Thus, it reflects the unusual use of language, representing the transition of words in a text from their usual context to a new context that contradicts the apparent meaning. This transition provokes questions and captures attention, showcasing the creator's ability to utilize the latent expressive capacities of the language while considering the audience, who tends toward variety and renewal, avoiding repetition and monotony that lead to tedium and fatigue. Therefore, it often serves as the main reason for the creator's resorting to introducing something unexpected or unusual at the levels of sounds, words, forms, vocabulary, and styles, both temporally and spatially, necessitating contemplation and reflection to understand its purpose.