Abstract

Purpose and Introduction: "Pragmatics" denotes the manner in which a speaker communicates a message to a recipient within a particular situation. Consequently, meaning circulates across three entities in an ongoing process. This field gave rise to various branches, with speech act theory being one of the most prominent. This notion posits that discourse is synonymous with action. The listener transcends the literal dictionary definition and seeks to ascertain the intended meaning by evaluating the context and circumstances that generated the text. An instructive statement can serve as an instruction, warning, or threat, depending on the context, and vice versa. John Austin is acknowledged as the originator and inventor of this idea, having presented it during his lectures at Oxford and Harvard Universities. Subsequently, John Searle, an American philosopher, elucidated and augmented the theory by incorporating classifications and stipulations. This research is significant for its analysis of a poem that inspires the spirit of fight and sacrifice in free persons, evoking strength and resistance against adversaries. It also reveals normalizers as traitors who exploit their populace for personal advantage. The poem encompasses multiple speech actions, rendering it appropriate for examination using speech act theory. This research poses the subsequent critical inquiries: 1. Which categories of speech acts are identified in Mahmoud Darwish's poem "The Mask Has Fallen" based on John Searle's classifications? 2. In what manner does the poet utilize these actions to express meanings that transcend their literal interpretations? 3. What illocutionary functions does the poem fulfill? Prior to addressing these inquiries in the findings section, it is essential to classify speech acts into five categories: 1. Assertive Speech Acts - Convey the speaker's conviction regarding the veracity of an occurrence, with the objective of aligning beliefs with reality. Examples encompass articulating facts, recognizing, inferring, asserting, hypothesizing, and forecasting. 2. Directive Speech Acts - Employed to affect the audience's behavior, instilling a sense of duty. These encompass pleas, instructions, counsel, cautions, motivation, and recommendations. 3. Expressive Speech Acts - Communicate the speaker's emotions and mental states regarding particular situations or events. Examples encompass accolades, congratulations, gratitude, apologies, commendations, derision, condemnation, and remorse. 4. Commissive Speech Acts - Articulate the speaker's commitment to a forthcoming action, signifying intention and purpose. Instances encompass assurances, menaces, denials, and obligations. 5. Declarative Speech Acts - In contrast to the preceding categories, declarative acts effectuate tangible changes in the listener and the external environment. The efficacy of these actions is contingent upon the speaker's power. Instances encompass proclamations, denunciations, and classifications. This taxonomy underscores the importance of many categories of speech acts in comprehending communication.
Methodology: This research employs a descriptive-analytical methodology grounded in John Searle’s theoretical framework. This study examines the varieties and efficacy of speech acts in Mahmoud Darwish’s poem "The Mask Has Fallen." The poet condemns the betrayal of normalizers who undermine the Palestinian cause and implores freedom fighters to persist in their struggle, despite the lack of assistance from Arab or Islamic nations.
Findings: Darwish employs symbolic language, exemplified by references to Rome, to signify Western historical hegemony and colonial exploitation. He anthropomorphizes inanimate objects, as demonstrated by his reference to "Beirut," to underscore his genuine affection for his nation, free from egocentric reasons or shallow sentiments. Speech Act Distribution: 80% of the employed speech acts are indirect, imparting greater significance to the poetry. Twenty percent constitute direct verbal acts employed for emphasis. The poet continuously eschews straightforward declarations, asserting that the journey of conflict is widely recognized-contrary to the normalizers, who profit from Western and Zionist agendas.
Discussion and Conclusion: An analytical examination of speech acts in "The Mask Has Fallen" reveals: Directive Acts (4 instances) - The predominant kind employed, indicating that the poet's primary objective is to incite action rather than merely disseminate information. Expressive Acts (3 instances) - The second most prevalent, as the poet consistently articulates emotions and sentiments, hence enhancing the clarity and impact of the message. The poet utilizes speaking acts for diverse pragmatic objectives, including cautioning the recipient regarding the hypocrisy of their surroundings. Promoting sustained defiance. Articulating his internal struggle, as he feels divided between those who resist and those who escape. Exhibiting his attention and dedication to safeguarding his territory from adversarial forces. Furthermore, Darwish employs literary intertextuality and Quranic allusions to elevate morale and highlight the dichotomy between veracity and falsehood in conflict. He underscores the vulnerability and instability of the adversarial state, designating it as "the foundling"-an illegitimate entity reliant on Western assistance for its existence.