Analyzing the debate between Khosrow and Farhad of the Narrative by Nizami Ganjavi and Khana Qubadi based on the Theory of Grice’s Maxims

Abstract

According to Grice, professor of analytic philosophy in the twentieth century, the formation of any conversation depends on regarding four basic conditions. These principles include maxim of quality, maxim of quantity, maxim of relation, and maxim of manner. These four maxims are known as Grice’s maxims. By explaining these principles, he has been able to present an effective theory in expressing the meaning of sentences. He has shown that the violation of one or more of principles which are mention before, it occurs for a certain reason. By applying this theory, it is possible to analyze the implicit meaning of texts, especially debates which are based on dialogues. The debate between Khosrow and Farhad is one of the most famous conversations in history of both Persian and Kurdish literature, one or more of Grice’s maxims are violated in all its verses. In the present study, which is conducted based on a descriptive analytical style, samples of violation of principles in aforementioned debate by Nizami and its Kurdish translation by Khana Qubadi were investigated and the impact of violation these principles is stated in the mentioned translation. Results of this research indicate that the high frequency of violation of the maxims of relation and quality in Nizami poetry, in addition to creating atmosphere and creating artistic meaning, has made it difficult to translate and imitate this poem. For this reason, Khana Qobadi had to remove a part of debate to create an artistic atmosphere and he had to lengthen a part of the text and violate the maxim of quality

Keywords

• grice’s maxims
• khosrow and farhad debate
• maxim of relation
• maxim of quantity
• maxim of quality