An Analysis of Speech Acts in Quranic Citations from Safavid Era Sources (A Case Study of Tarikh-e Jahanara-ye Abbasi)

Abstract

The Safavid period is considered one of the significant eras in Iranian history. Understanding the characteristics of this period is possible through the preserved texts. Many frequently used concepts in these texts align closely with the religious approaches dominant within the power structure. The extensive use of Quranic verses and hadiths, especially those that underscore Shia rituals, is prominent in these writings. Among the notable sources from this period is the book Jahanara-ye Abbasi. This study aims to analyze the speech acts and Quranic citations of this text using a descriptive-analytical method and both quantitative and qualitative data, addressing the question: How are Quranic citations employed in this book, and what is the frequency of each speech act? It appears that, given the explanatory and descriptive approach of the writers and historians of the Safavid era, the most frequent type of speech act in the Quranic citations of Tarikh-e Jahanara-ye Abbasi is assertive speech acts.

Keywords

• speech act theory
• john searle
• quranic citations
• safavid era
• tarikh-e jahanara-ye abbasi