The Rhetoric of Silence in Everyday Arabic Discourse: A Pragmatic Study in the Light of Contemporary Linguistics

Abstract

This study is grounded in the central idea that silence in everyday Arabic discourse is not merely the absence of speech, but rather a form of expression that carries deep meanings shaped within the context of interaction between interlocutors. It seeks to understand silence as a rhetorical device that contributes to the construction of meaning, drawing on a pragmatic perspective that links language to speakers’ intentions and the conditions of use.

The study adopts a pragmatic approach by employing key concepts such as speech act theory, the cooperative principle, and conversational implicature to uncover the implicit meanings conveyed through silence in everyday situations. It also analyzes samples of daily discourse using a descriptive approach, highlighting how silence can function as a means of suggestion, indirect expression, avoidance of embarrassment, or even the affirmation of certain positions without explicit articulation.

The findings reveal that silence is an active component of communication, no less important than speech itself, as it performs multiple roles that guide and enrich discourse semantically. Accordingly, the study underscores the importance of reconsidering silence as an integral part of rhetorical expression, opening new avenues for a deeper understanding of communication mechanisms in everyday Arabic life.