Conversational implicature in Surah Luqman "An Applied Study"

Abstract

This study examines the theory of conversational implicature, which has attracted wide attention due to its connection with the pragmatic performance of language and its evident practical value. Previous studies have mainly focused on its application in various branches of rhetoric, while largely neglecting its presence in grammatical discourse—despite the fact that grammatical rules embody the same principles of conversation proposed by Grice. The research seeks to establish a link between grammatical rules and the maxims of conversational implicature, exploring their counterparts in syntax with respect to the principles of quantity, quality, relevance, and manner, as well as their underlying rhetorical significance. The study focuses on Sūrat Luqmān, which contains two types of dialogue—divine-to-human and human-to-human—to uncover dimensions of Qurʾānic inimitability. Its goal is to strengthen the relationship between grammar and modern linguistic theories and to highlight the genius of Arab grammarians in describing the Arabic system. The study adopts inductive, analytical, and deductive methods, concluding that conversational implicature is a procedural concept of great analytical value in understanding texts and revealing their aesthetic levels, with multiple approaches to its application depending on the philosophical and intellectual foundations upon which Grice built his model.