Folksongs Discourse in Upper Egyptian and Cairene Folk Communities: A Cross-Linguistic Cultural Study

Khalil, Nahla Mohamed Nageeb

doi:10.21608/jealex.2023.326703

Folksongs Discourse in Upper Egyptian and Cairene Folk Communities: A Cross-Linguistic Cultural Study

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Nahla Mohamed Nageeb khalil

Lecturer of linguistics - English Department- Faculty of Arts-Damanhour University.

10.21608/jealex.2023.326703

Abstract

Doing things with words in a given culture or the culture-specific speech acts is the focus of this research paper. This study seeks to provide a qualitative and a quantitative analysis of the speech acts used in the discourse of the Egyptian folksongs. In addition, it seeks to detect the Egyptian cultural values and traditions in the discourse under investigation. To achieve this aim the approach of Farzad Sharifian in Cultural Linguistics (2017) is used to analyze the data under investigation. Since the Egyptian folksong is rich in varied topics, the focus is confined to the engagement folksong. The engagement folksong is analyzed in two Egyptian folk communities: the Upper Egypt Folk (UEF) community and the Cairene Folk (CF) community. The data under analysis representing the UEF community are selected from Aloghnijah Alfilklorijah Lilmarʔah Almisrijah ʕind Qabaaʔil Aljaʕaafirah fii Aswan (2002) by Fadl. Additionally, the folksongs of the CF community are collected from Aghaany Alafraah fi Alqaahirah Alkobraa (2005) by Ghanem.
Based on the analysis of the data under investigation, the new findings reveal that the Egyptian folksong in the UEF community reflects the fiance schema, then the fiancee schema, followed by the father schema, and finally the mother schema as the most recurrent types. This is a reflection of the male dominance in the UEF community. In addition, the directive speech act is the most recurrent type in the discourse of folksongs of the UEF community. Moreover, cultural categories specific to the UEF community revolves around the anklet, the washtub and alsiyaaq. Conversely, the folksong in the CF community reflects the fiancee schema, then the Fiancé schema followed by the matchmaker schema as the most recurrent types. This is a reflection of the feminine influence in the CF community. In addition, the expressive speech act is the most recurrent type in the discourse of folksongs in the CF community. The expressive speech act of refusing is of specific importance because it reveals the right of choice that a girl enjoys in the CF community. Finally, the cultural categories specific to the CF community revolves around ashabkah, the matchmaker, and the tray and the tea as a sign of approval.

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