Performative Speech Acts in Imam Hassan’s Preaching: Command and Prohibition

Abstract

Abstract

This paper aims at analyzing the speech acts, mainly performatives, used in selected sermons and preaches given by Imam Hassan, a well-known political and religious Shia figure. The emphasis is on two performatives, prohibition and command. First, performatives are elaborated on as to types, structures, and forms. Then, command and prohibition are detailed and exemplified. Later, command and prohibition structures are identified in the preaches under study to find how that Imam used these two devices to communicate meanings.