Uses of the Superlative Form ‘af’al’ in Arabic Proverbs: Pragmatic Study in Majma' al-Amthāl for al-Maydānĭ

Abstract

The superlative degree of comparison is apparently connected with the Arabic proverb as it is an important form of expressing socially-communicated meaning in a brief, specific, and accurate way. The study aimed to identify the distribution of proverbs that make use of the superlative degree of comparison in Majma' al-Amthāl by al-Maydānĭ to show their pragmatic function in delivering speech and to highlight the achievement impact these proverbs have made in the process of rhetorical communication. The study came up with several results, the most important of which is the frequent circulation of these proverbs in language use, as they constitute (22.58%) of the total proverbs in Majma' al-Amthāl by al-Maydānĭ. The superlative degree of comparison in Arabic proverbs is regarded as a morphological unit used to express the comparison between the preferred and the non-preferred. Moreover, proverbs in this structure include a statement to convey influence, conviction, stimulation and values that make the listener follow the most appropriate feature through comparison between the preferred and the non-preferred.