A study of linguistic highlighting in Naftas al-Masdur from the perspective of Jeffrey Leach

Document Type : Grammatical-rhetorical

Authors

1 PhD student in Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22091/jls.2025.12624.1683

Abstract

This study investigates rhetorical-syntactic research within Persian literary texts, with a particular focus on identifying, categorizing, and analyzing grammatical and rhetorical features that contribute to stylistic richness and aesthetic effect. The research examines how specific grammatical structures and rhetorical devices function together to produce meaning, rhythm, and emphasis in classical and modern Persian literature. Building on the traditions of Arabic rhetoric (balāghah) and Persian stylistics, the study integrates theoretical insights from both classical poetics and modern linguistic approaches. The primary aim is to establish a framework that not only documents existing rhetorical-syntactic patterns but also interprets their literary and communicative significance.Drawing on an extensive corpus of selected Persian texts from different literary periods, the analysis reveals that Persian authors have historically employed a variety of syntactic strategies—such as parallelism, inversion, ellipsis, and syntactic repetition—in coordination with rhetorical figures like metaphor, simile, antithesis, and hyperbole. The findings indicate that these combined devices serve both aesthetic and pragmatic functions: they reinforce thematic unity, enhance emotional appeal, and structure the reader’s interpretive process. This dual role underlines the interdependence between grammar and rhetoric in shaping literary style.The study further shows that many rhetorical-syntactic features in Persian literature correspond to universal stylistic principles found in other literary traditions, but are also deeply embedded in the cultural and linguistic characteristics of Persian. By highlighting these patterns, the research contributes to a better understanding of Persian stylistics, offering methodological tools for literary criticism, stylistic analysis, and pedagogy in Persian language and literature. 
Introduction
Persian literature, enriched by centuries of poetic and prose traditions, displays a complex interplay between rhetorical artistry and grammatical construction. Historically, Persian stylistic studies have been rooted in classical balāghah frameworks, which emphasize eloquence, metaphor, and rhetorical ornamentation. However, these studies often treated grammar and rhetoric as separate domains, overlooking the ways in which syntactic structures themselves could carry rhetorical weight.
The present study addresses this gap by investigating how rhetorical functions are embedded within grammatical structures, thus contributing to literary meaning and aesthetic effect. By focusing on the syntactic dimension of rhetoric—here referred to as "rhetorical-syntactic research"—this work proposes that grammar is not merely a vehicle for meaning but a formative element of literary style.
This integrated approach draws on both classical theory (e.g., ma‘ānī, bayān, and badī‘) and modern linguistic-stylistic models, including functional grammar, foregrounding theory, and discourse analysis. It thereby bridges the methodological gap between traditional rhetoric and contemporary linguistic criticism.
Materials & Methods
The study employs a qualitative textual analysis of selected Persian literary works across historical periods, ranging from classical poets such as Sa‘di, Hafez, and Khaghani to modern prose stylists. The corpus was chosen to reflect both diversity in genre and representativeness of stylistic richness.
The methodology involved

Textual Selection – Choosing excerpts known for their rhetorical and syntactic density.
Rhetorical Identification – Classifying rhetorical devices (metaphor, simile, antithesis, parallelism, etc.).
Syntactic Analysis – Examining sentence structure, word order, and grammatical cohesion.
Functional Interpretation – Linking grammatical structures with rhetorical effects, considering thematic and pragmatic contexts.
Comparative Analysis – Cross-referencing findings with both classical rhetoric manuals and modern stylistic frameworks.

Analytical tools included Halliday’s functional grammar for clause analysis, Leech’s foregrounding theory for identifying deviation and parallelism, and classical Persian rhetorical taxonomies for historical grounding.
Research findings
The results reveal that Persian literary texts often use syntactic patterns not merely for clarity or grammaticality but as rhetorical strategies to foreground meaning, rhythm, and thematic motifs. Key findings include:

Parallelism & Repetition: Repetition of syntactic patterns (especially at the clause level) reinforces rhythm and thematic unity. This device is frequent in both poetry and prose, enhancing memorability and oral performance.
Inversion (Taqdīm wa Ta’khīr): Deviations from the canonical word order create emphasis and highlight key thematic elements, aligning with the concept of ikhtisās in classical rhetoric.
Ellipsis & Omission: Intentional omission of grammatical elements creates interpretive gaps, inviting reader engagement and inference. This is often paired with metaphor to intensify meaning.
Coordination of Figurative & Syntactic Devices: For example, metaphors often occur in parallel syntactic structures, making them more striking and easier to process.
Foregrounding through Deviation: Both syntactic deviation (unusual word order, rare constructions) and semantic deviation (unexpected imagery) function to draw attention to key passages.

The study also notes that many such rhetorical-syntactic features serve pragmatic functions, such as persuasion, emotional appeal, and thematic framing.
Discussion of Results & Conclusion
The integration of rhetorical devices and grammatical structures is a defining characteristic of Persian literary style. Classical rhetoric provided a conceptual framework for identifying and categorizing rhetorical figures, but often overlooked the syntactic mechanisms through which these effects were achieved. Modern stylistics, on the other hand, recognizes syntax as a key component of literary form but rarely grounds its analysis in the cultural and historical specificity of Persian poetics.
This research bridges these perspectives by demonstrating that:

Syntax in Persian literature is not neutral; it is deliberately manipulated for rhetorical effect.
Many rhetorical-syntactic patterns have deep cultural roots in Persian poetics, yet they align with universal stylistic strategies.
Understanding these patterns enriches both literary criticism and language pedagogy, as it equips scholars and students to appreciate how form and meaning are intertwined.

The findings suggest that further studies could apply corpus-based methods to quantify the distribution of rhetorical-syntactic patterns in larger Persian text collections. Such work could also compare Persian stylistics with other literary traditions to explore cross-cultural rhetorical universals.
In conclusion, this study reaffirms that grammar and rhetoric in Persian literature are interdependent dimensions of stylistic artistry. Recognizing their interplay allows for more nuanced literary analysis, deeper appreciation of Persian cultural heritage, and more effective teaching of Persian as a literary language.
 
 

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Main Subjects

References

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Rhetoric and Grammar Studies
Volume 15, Issue 27
September 2025
Pages 205-225

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