Multifunctionality of mʕliʃ in Jordanian Arabic: A Discourse-Pragmatic Perspective
Abstract
This study examines the pragmatic functions of mʕliʃ in Jordanian Arabic and explores how this discourse marker operates in naturally occurring interaction. The analysis is based on 175 tokens collected from everyday conversations across different social contexts. Using a qualitative discourse-analytic approach supported by descriptive frequency analysis, the study identifies eleven pragmatic functions of mʕliʃ, including consolation, request mitigation, reassurance, apology, permission-seeking, conflict calming, disagreement, disapproval, threat-making, turn-taking, and conversational closure. The findings show that the most frequent functions are related to facework, particularly consolation, reassurance, request mitigation, and apology. These uses suggest that mʕliʃ plays an important role in maintaining solidarity, reducing interpersonal tension, and softening face-threatening acts. However, its occurrence in disagreement, disapproval, threat-making, and interactional management demonstrates that it is not limited to politeness. Rather, mʕliʃ functions as a context-sensitive pragmatic marker whose meaning depends on speaker intention, sequential position, and interactional context. The study also reports preliminary gender-related patterns, with female speakers using mʕliʃ more often in supportive contexts and male speakers using it more often in assertive or confrontational contexts. The study contributes to Arabic pragmatics by offering a systematic account of an under-researched discourse marker in Jordanian Arabic.
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https://doi.org/10.36923/jicc.v26i2.1474
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