LessonsAl-Ta‘rif wa al-Tankir: Rhetorical Functions of Definiteness and IndefinitenessQuiz

هٰذَا يُوسُفُ، وَذَاكَ أَخُوهُ، وَذٰلِكَ غُلَامُهُ
This is Yusuf, that is his brother, and that farther one is his servant.

A demonstrative may indicate special attention to a particular person; this is heightened concern or focus. Different forms can also present the referent as near, intermediate, or far.

Distance may be physical or figurative. A “far” demonstrative can elevate a referent’s status or emphasize remoteness in rank. Its meaning should be read from the whole setting, not just spatial geometry.

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Emphasis and degrees of distance

Al-Ta‘rif wa al-Tankir: Rhetorical Functions of Definiteness and Indefiniteness

هٰذَا يُوسُفُ، وَذَاكَ أَخُوهُ، وَذٰلِكَ غُلَامُهُ
This is Yusuf, that is his brother, and that farther one is his servant.

A demonstrative may indicate special attention to a particular person; this is heightened concern or focus. Different forms can also present the referent as near, intermediate, or far.

Distance may be physical or figurative. A “far” demonstrative can elevate a referent’s status or emphasize remoteness in rank. Its meaning should be read from the whole setting, not just spatial geometry.