The representation of power in some of Molana’s letters

زبانشناسی و گویش های خراسان

Article 8, Volume 2, Issue 3, October 2010   

Document Type: علمی - پژ‍وهشی

DOI: 10.22067/lj.v2i3.15918

Authors

Shahla Sharifi^* ; Seyyede Maryam Fazaeli

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the linguistic representation of power in Molana’s letters within the critical discourse analysis framework. The power relationship is represented directly or indirectly. To investigate the linguistic representation of power, the letters were categorized in two types: those addressed to non-relatives and those addressed to relatives. Each type then was divided into two subsidiary categories. The non-relatives category was sub-categorized to the letters addressed to politicians and letters addressed to Molana’s students, the other category was subdivided into the letters addressed to molana’s children and Molana’s daughter-in-law.
The results show that in most letters the representation of power is indirect. This indirectness serves the functions of saving the addressee’s face and politeness. In a limited number of letters, the representation of power is direct. This directness shows that Molana stands in a higher status relative to his students, children and in-laws.

Keywords

critical discourse analysis; power relations; Molana’s letters