The Role of Context in Directing the Similarities and Differences in Discourse (The Holy Quran as a Model)

Abstract

Linguistic studies have witnessed successive and extensive developments since the revelation of the Holy Quran, whose influence spread across the world. Scholars have continually studied its language and concepts, not limited to any specific time frame, as research into the Quran continues to this day. With the advancement of linguistic studies across various languages, especially linguistics, which has imposed its influence through the systematization of phenomena and the establishment of terminologies, the focus shifted to studying language in its practical use. Linguists developed systems and defined theories, including the contextual theory, which emphasizes that language study must not be isolated from the external factors surrounding it. Lexical meaning alone is insufficient to comprehend the intended message in utterances.

This study consists of an introduction and two main sections. The introduction addresses the concept of context as understood by Arab and Western scholars, the meaning and significance of particles, and the relationship between context and particles.

The first section explores the role of context in the Quranic verses with differing meanings, presenting applications of how context specifies certain particles and words. The second section investigates the role of context in verses with similar wording, highlighting the impact of the omission of particles in these verses.

Ultimately, the study arrived at several conclusions, which represent the culmination of efforts in this research. The objective is to identify some theoretical rules for the unseen meanings within Quranic discourse through the practical procedures offered by contextual theory and its analytical framework. This analysis shapes and defines the overall meanings of utterances. I humbly seek Allah’s guidance for success in this endeavor.