Analysis of Polysemy in Modal Structures of the Holy Quran Based on Force Schema: A Case Study of Jaʿala, ʿAsā, and Laʿalla

Document Type : Scholary

Authors

1 Professor in the Department of Quranic Studies and Hadith, Faculty of Theology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

2 Postdoctoral Researcher, in the Department of Quranic Studies and Hadith, Faculty of Theology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran & member of the Quranic and hadith interdisciplinary studies research group

Abstract

In the classical view of grammar, modal structures are merely combinations of logical and homonymous operators with their root theme; however, the cognitive view considers the modal meaning of verbs an extension of their root-physical meaning. This research is a case study of three grammatical categories of “jaʿala,” “ʿasā,” and “laʿalla” in the Quran to explain the relationship between the root meaning and the modal meaning of these grammatical categories based on the force schema. The examination showed that the modal meaning of “jaʿala” is derived from the metaphorical extension of the root meaning of to build and to place; concerning God, it means the presence of sufficient force, and in relation to agents other than God, it refers to the lack of enough power. “ʿasā” and “laʿalla” have similar meanings and functions, and their modal meaning is derived from the root meaning of to do to the components of removal or absence of restraints and the presence of sufficient force (which, in human physical experience, is essential to acting) in a graded manner. Reference to the removal or absence of restraints approximates the meaning of “ʿasā” and “laʿalla” to possibility, and reference to the presence of sufficient force approximates their meaning to certainty.
 

Keywords

References

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The Quran: Contemporary Studies
Volume 3, Issue 8 - Serial Number 8
Third year, Number 8, Summer 2024
July 2024
Pages 51-79

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