The Meaning of Negative Structure in "Dalaa'il Al-I`jaaz"

Abstract

This research examines the semantic components of negative structure as shown in the analysis of Abdulqaahir Al-Jurjaani in his book "Dalaa'il Al-I`jaaz" (Proofs of Miraulousness). The research begins with a reference to the meaning of negation according to Abdulqaahir followed by the most important theoretical rules upon which the present analysis is based. The researcher divides these components into structural components, functional components, and mental and social components.

The researcher concludes that all these components work together to form the meaning of negative structure. Negative structure may also include additional meanings that do not appear in the form itself, but the characteristics of the form contribute to highlight them through the type of word, its lexical meaning, functional meaning, word order, morphemes included in the structure, and factors determining a case and its context. Negative structure may also have affirmative meaning. Abdulqaahir's analysis of negative structure includes structural and pragmatic considerations.