LessonsDefining the Subject by Demonstration: Rhetorical Purposes of DemonstrativesQuiz

One error must be avoided throughout this section: “a demonstrative is definite” is a grammatical classification; “this demonstrative magnifies its referent” is a rhetorical interpretation. The first depends on the form. The second needs context, predicate, attributes, and speaker intention.

Examples:
«هٰذَا صَدِيقِي» — simple identification without a cue for praise or contempt.
«أَهَٰذَا الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ آلِهَتَكُمْ» — contempt in the opponents' speech.
«ذٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ» — an implication of exalted standing.

The same «هٰذا» can therefore have different effects in different settings. The field of rhetoric relates the choice to what the situation requires (مقتضى الحال).

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Do not confuse grammatical and rhetorical claims

Defining the Subject by Demonstration: Rhetorical Purposes of Demonstratives

One error must be avoided throughout this section: “a demonstrative is definite” is a grammatical classification; “this demonstrative magnifies its referent” is a rhetorical interpretation. The first depends on the form. The second needs context, predicate, attributes, and speaker intention.

Examples:
«هٰذَا صَدِيقِي» — simple identification without a cue for praise or contempt.
«أَهَٰذَا الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ آلِهَتَكُمْ» — contempt in the opponents' speech.
«ذٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ» — an implication of exalted standing.

The same «هٰذا» can therefore have different effects in different settings. The field of rhetoric relates the choice to what the situation requires (مقتضى الحال).