A Comparative Study of Metaphor in Arabic and Persian
A Comparative Study of Metaphor in Arabic and Persian
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1 the first years of the third century by the order of Ma'mun Abbasi (813-817),
2 indicate the scientific transactions of Muslims with other nations, among
3 which Iranians have had a special place (Tafazoli, 1957, 314). It is, therefore,
4 not surprising when the scholars of Arabic rhetoric history emphasize the role
5 of other nations, especially Iranians, in the flourishment of rhetoric (Atiq, no
6 date, 50). As a result, the Islamic-Arabic rhetoric can be recognized as the
7 outcome of Muslim rhetoric interaction with Greeks, Iranians and Indians. A
8 thorough examination of this issue requires a great deal of time. Therefore, in
9 this article, we will focus on the comparative study of metaphor in Arabic and
10 Farsi in order to pave the ground for more comprehensive future research in
11 this field.
12
13 Research Background
14
15 Some researchers have recently been published regarding the relationship
16 between Arabic and Persian rhetoric. These studies have generally compared
17 rhetorical figures in both languages, among which we can mention Ehsan
18 Sadegh Saeed's book entitled Rhetorical Science between Arabs and Iranians;
19 nonetheless, no independent research has yet been published with regard to
20 comparing the rhetorical figures such as metaphor in two languages. The book
21 Metaphor in Islamic Rhetoric by Mohammad Mahdi Moghimizadeh is one of
22 few works addressing this subject, yet the portion of Persian research is not
23 much noticeable in that research. Therefore, this article can be considered as
24 one of pioneer studies in this field.
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26 Significance, Method, and Questions of the Study
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28 Since rhetoric of each language must be extracted from its text and the
29 context, comparative researches can, on the one hand, provide the rationale
30 for formulating the rhetorical system of any language and, on the other hand,
31 can have an impact on conscious, wise, and useful interaction among
32 languages. This necessity is more prevalent among the Arabic-Persian rhetoric
33 enjoying a long-standing connection. Using descriptive analysis, the present
34 article compares the metaphorical view of two languages and seeks to answer
35 the following questions: what are the similarities and differences of
36 metaphorical researches in the two above languages? and what are the
37 impacts of these similarities and differences on the use of metaphor in the two
38 above languages?
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40
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1 Discussion
2
3 Abu Ubaidah by his Majaz al-Qur'an initiated the metaphorical discussion
4 which began with the general name of trope and then experienced several
5 periods: 1. The beginning: from the second half of the second century to the
6 beginning of the fourth century; 2. Development: the fourth and first half of
7 the fifth century; 3. Flourishment: from the fifth to the first half of the seventh
8 century; 4. Recession: from the second half of the seventh century to the
9 present day; 5. Modernism and new perspective: formed in the recent century
10 along with the period of recession and decline.
11 The evolution of metaphor-research in Farsi can be studied in three periods
12 including emergence, expansion, and revision. Since the discussion of
13 metaphor in Arabic books post-Islam preceded rhetoric in Persian books, we
14 compare the metaphor discussion in these two languages focusing on the five
15 periods of metaphorical research in Arabic books.
16
17 The First Period
18
19 In this period, beginning in the second half of the second century and
20 continuing up until the end of the third century, the subject of metaphor is
21 associated with Qur'anic and literary discussions and is not yet recognized as
22 an independent rhetorical subject. Abu Ubaidah and Ibn Qatibah refer to it in
23 order to discuss Qur'anic words and meanings, and Jahiz and Mobarrad have
24 considered metaphor while analyzing poems and literary texts. Abu Ubaidah,
25 without mentioning the name of metaphor, refers to trope in the general sense
26 of the rhetorical sciences, such that as he introduces some types of trope, he
27 provides some metaphorical examples without bringing the specific name of
28 metaphor. Contemplation on the trope extensions provided by Abu Ubaidah
29 shows that he uses this figure to include the whole rhetoric sphere (Abu
30 Ubaidah, 1981, 18-19), and Ibn Qatibah also speaks of absolute borrowing of
31 the words, among which metaphor can be a subset (Sheikhun, 1994, 7).
32 However, Jahiz refers to the name of metaphor and its idiomatic definition,
33 albeit while explaining a verse, and writes: “Calling something by a different
34 name, then replacing it "(Jahiz, 1926, 1/116). Like Ibn Qatibah, Mobarrad
35 speaks of borrowing words in Arabic (Sheikhun, 1994, 9). The form of
36 metaphor is vague in this period; it has no comprehensive definition; it is not
37 recognized as an independent literary discourse; its aesthetic and imaginative
38 aspects are not desired; it is as if this term and its derivatives are used only for
39 the purpose of clarifying and analyzing thought. At the end of this period,
40 metaphor is proposed as a poetic and rhetorical discourse. Thalib in Qawaeed
41 al-Shir, discussing the "Heikal al-Shir" (physique of poetry), offers a definition
42 of metaphor: "metaphor is choosing a name or meaning for something other
43 than its own” (Thalib, 1995, 53). In the definition suggested by Thalib, taking
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1 sides, unlike the preceding one, has reduced the metaphorical scope of the
2 metaphor and clarified its boundaries. 5) Considering the difference between
3 simile and metaphor, there is a common discussion in most of the books of
4 this period, which does not lead to a definitive conclusion. Henceforth, it is a
5 cause for difference in all periods of studies on metaphor. It has provoked
6 controversy and turmoil in Farsi books to which we will refer later. The
7 difference between metaphor and simile in this period is based on the
8 elimination or preservation of the words of comparison and each side being
9 true or trope. Only Ibn Sanan al-Khafaji shook the distinction by bringing up
10 predestined words of comparison. He does not regard the elimination of the
11 words of comparison as a metaphor "as words of comparison are omitted in
12 the literal sense, and being omitted in the literal sense is like being mentioned"
13 (Sheikhun, 1994, 30). 6) Mentioning criteria for metaphorical criticism:
14 consistency of words and meanings, words and words in metaphor and no
15 tongue twisting between them, avoidance of excesses in the use of metaphor,
16 its formal aesthetics and its enlightening role, and above all, the
17 proportionality and similarity between the metaphorical sides are some of the
18 important criteria of metaphor criticism in the books of this period. 7) The
19 utility and purpose of metaphor is prominently considered in the books of this
20 period. Summary of the benefits of metaphor can be seen in al-Sinaatain of
21 Abu Helal Askari (Abu Helal Askari, 1993, 262). 8) The concern for the
22 metaphor having an influence on the audience is also one of the interesting
23 topics in the books of this period. 9) The audience's interest in discovering the
24 beauties of metaphor in al-Ummah ibn Rashiq is contemplative. Of course,
25 this requires further research. (Sheikhon, 1994, 27). 10) Another point that is
26 sometimes found in the books of this period is the necessity or unnecessity of
27 metaphor in the language that has been precedent in Aristotle's works and it
28 has been an axis to separate the classic and romantic view to metaphor. For
29 example, Ibn Rashiq Qiravani's theory can be mentioned in this regard, in
30 which he does not consider metaphor as a necessity in the Arabic language
31 (Ibn Rashiq Qiravani, 2000, 1/344). This is found in Aristotle's works not only
32 about the Arabic language, but also about all languages (Hawks, 2001, 56). The
33 metaphor-researchers’ view of this period is similar to that of Aristotle, which
34 should be sought in translating Aristotle's works into Arabic during this
35 period. What is prominent in the metaphorical view of this period is the
36 analytical-critical view of the rhetorical writers who, without resorting to the
37 excessive subdivisions that became commonplace afterwards, seek to analyze
38 the construction of metaphor, its critique, its appealing and unappealing form
39 and its benefit, the connection of metaphor to truth, and its relation to
40 language and audience.
41 Although the discussion of metaphor in the Arabic books of this period had
42 achieved remarkable growth and maturity, it began its improvement in
43 Persian rhetoric as well. Between the second and the third period, the study of
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1 the Arabic rhetoric during the emergence period. In Arabic books, the terms
2 rhyme adduction (Moa’zalah), as well as accepted and rejected similes come
3 from a critical point of view, while exemplary critiques of Persian rhetorical
4 criticism are restricted to general terms such as conceit and exquisite
5 metaphor (Watwat, 1983, 29). Only in al- Ma’ajam of Shams Qais, metaphor
6 criticism has been considered more, some of which is reminiscent of Ibn
7 Mu'tazí's manner of providing subtle and unappealing metaphors (Shams
8 Qais Razi, 1994, 9-318), and in some cases has come close to a critical view of
9 the books in the second Arabic period. (Shams Qays Razi, 1994, 318). The
10 reason for Shams Qais being highlighted in this feature is more relation with
11 the Arabic rhetorical books. As mentioned by himself, Qais wrote his book in
12 Arabic at the beginning (ibid, 32). 6) Most of the metaphorical evidences in the
13 emergence books are Persian evidences except in Hadā'iq al-sihr of Rashid al-
14 Din Watwat, in which Arabic evidence is prominent (Ibid, 32). However, it is
15 noteworthy that some Persian rhetoric writers consciously turned to
16 Persianism. This indicates that attention to the nature of the Persian language
17 during this period is highlighted.
18 In short, the Persian language emergence books were written following the
19 Arabic books of the first and second periods. Of course, paying attention to
20 the Persian evidence, highlighting the discourse of personification due to the
21 longer history of such types of debate in Iranian culture and language and
22 finally attention to the nativism and the nature of the Persian language are
23 among the points that show that the Persian rhetoricians have had a look at
24 the nature of the Persian language and its independence from the Arabic
25 language.
26
27
28 The Third Period
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30 This period covers the first half of the fifth to the first half of the seventh
31 century, and the discussion of metaphorical research, in tandem with other
32 rhetorical discourses, is experiencing remarkable prosperity. Abdul Qahir
33 Jarjani, the author of Asrar al-Balaghah and Dalael al-ijaz and Zamakhshari the
34 author of Al-Kashshaaf as a rhetoric commentary of the Quran are some of the
35 prominent figures of this period, and of course, the flourishiment of the
36 metaphorical studies continues to a certain extent in Ibn Khatib Razi. It links
37 this period to the first years of the seventh century.
38 The metaphorical research of Abdul Qahir, which is more reflected in the
39 book of Asrar al-Balagha than the Dalael al-ijaz, points to his mastery on the
40 topic and his dominance on the subtleties, accuracies, capacity, and status of
41 metaphor. His view is an analytical one and serves to explain and interpret his
42 theory of poetry. In metaphorical debate, like most rhetorical arguments,
43 Abdul Qahir is reluctant to phrase, although his analytical arguments are the
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1 source of term- making for the rhetoricians in the later periods. He combines
2 his theory with a lot of analytical evidences, and so there is no twist in his
3 materials except being innovative. The most important arguments being
4 raised by him in the discussion of metaphor are: 1) Critique of the former
5 views; the belief that metaphor is a claim of meaning for an object, not quoting
6 the name from the object (Jerjani, 1989, 532), critique of placing metaphor
7 under figures of speech category "without being conditioned" (Jorjani, 1995,
8 256) and finally the critique of former definitions of metaphor and their
9 sufficiency in examples (Ibid: 16), are important criticisms of Abdul Qahir to
10 the former views in the past 2) Attention to the position of metaphor in
11 rhetoric books; Abdul Qahir believes that truth and trope, simile, allegory, and
12 then metaphor, must be discussed respectively (Jorjani,1995, 17). But for the
13 sake of remarks not explicitly stated, he “starts his subject by metaphor" (Ibid,
14 17). It seems that the preface of metaphor and trope in the Aristotelian
15 tradition has subconsciously directed Abdul Qahir and some of the
16 rhetoricians toward this way. This feature is also found in some Persian
17 metaphorical emergence books such as the Tarjoman al-Balagheh and the
18 Hedayat al-Sahar. 3) In defining metaphor, he refers to the non-transfer of the
19 word, its meaning and its transmission, and the emphasis on the simile motif
20 of metaphor. Therefore, contrary to the definition of former scholars, his
21 definition is comprehensive, and synecdoche and cited declarations (I’lam
22 Manqulah) do not fall under metaphor. 4) considering the conditions of
23 metaphor making; unlike Aristotle, he believes that not every metaphor can be
24 constructed from simile and he considers the medium of comparison having
25 similar sources, its easy understanding, and the affirmation of the custom as
26 the required conditions for making a metaphor. In short, he says: “The
27 symmetry and the reason for the present and the custom must express your
28 purpose” (Ibid, 151). 5) Paying attention to the purpose and benefit of
29 metaphor: As he excessively praises metaphor, he also mentions some of its
30 benefits: “In this worthy manner of expression, a new face of a unique
31 immensity is being hidden" (Ibid, 24)" and it induces many meanings in short
32 words "(Ibid). By the aid of metaphor, plants come to life, speaking and non-
33 speaking creatures become fluent and eloquent and you find quiet and dumb
34 things to be preachers. In this magnificent realm, short and inadequate
35 meanings are enlightening and lively "(Ibid). 6) Avoiding term-making,
36 though he speaks of many kinds of metaphors in Dalail Al-Ajaz and promises
37 to talk about them elsewhere (Jerjani, 1989, 529); however, his promise never
38 came true. In his discussion of metaphor, it can be said that all the types of
39 metaphor that have been formed in the fourth period of metaphor
40 development have been originated from his analytical discussions, although
41 he does not make any terms for them. Rather than pursuing terminology, he
42 thinks about the analysis of the argument and suggests a way to evaluate the
43 types of metaphors. The argument of strong and weak metaphor could be
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1 found here as well. The basis of this division is paying attention to the words
2 of comparison, tenor, and vehicle. (Jorjani, 1995, 31,32,35) In the introduction
3 of pure and mere metaphor, he writes: "Comparison is taken from rational
4 images like metaphor of light with this reasoning that unveils the truth and
5 eliminates doubt and hesitation" (Ibid, 36). There is not a very positive view of
6 such applications in the books of Persian language (Genesis, 1362, 1362).
7 Types such as the oxymoron and conformative metaphor (Vefaqiah) are
8 inspired by the discussions of Abdul Qahir in later periods.
9 He sometimes criticizes previous metaphorical types in rhetoric. Among
10 them, there is the rhyme adduction mentioned by Qaddama ibn Ja'far for the
11 first time, and not rejected by Abdul Qahir in every context (Jerjani, 1995, 22).
12 7) Considering discrepancies under metaphor, including those that have a
13 long history in the metaphorical discussion: Eloquent simile and its
14 similarities and differences with metaphor: Abdul Qahir considers simile as
15 the basis for both, except that elimination of the simile components increases
16 hyperbole but does not transform the simile into a metaphor (Ibid, 21-208). He
17 states explicitly: "It is enough to say that our word is like simile; is bounded to
18 hyperbole, is justified in its definition and is not called a metaphor” (Jerjani,
19 1989, 113). He also uses the syntactic features of the Arabic language to
20 explain the differences between simile and metaphor that is not possible in
21 Farsi (Jerjani, 1995, 211). He considers metaphor more exaggerated, more
22 concise, and more succinct than simile (Ibid, 149); however, he admits that
23 identifying the exact boundary between simile and metaphor is not simply
24 possible (Ibid, 214). In addition to simile and metaphor, attention to the ratio
25 of simile, allegory, and metaphor as another controversial topic in the
26 rhetorical books has a special place in Abdul Qahir's works. He argues: "The
27 metaphor-speaker transfers the word from the original meaning but the one
28 who speaks with an example does not do that” (Ibid, 149). He mentions
29 singularity of simile in metaphor and its plurality in allegory as a difference
30 between metaphor and allegory (Ibid, 161). He regards metaphor and allegory
31 that has reached to the metaphorical level to be of the same nature (Jerjani,
32 1985, 119). This means the allegorical metaphor of the later periods. 8)
33 Considering the difference between the two main types of metaphor, namely
34 explicit and implicit metaphor, without naming the two: He argues that the
35 first type of metaphor (explicit) is easily traced back to its origin (simile), but
36 that the second type (implicit) reveals its simile origin with the aid of a deep
37 thinking (Jarjani, 1995, 26). When proving that metaphor is not in the word but
38 in its meaning, he uses implicit metaphor evidence (Ibid, 536), and thus
39 implicit metaphor is superior to the explicit one (Ibid, 537). Although, like
40 Aristotle's works and Persian rhetoric books, Abdul Qahir emphasizes the
41 implicit metaphor, his commentary is often concerned with the explicit
42 metaphor. It seemed that proving the explicit metaphor is easier than the
43 implicit one, and implicit hyperbole and its further avoidance of simile makes
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1 debates and the emergence of new ideas in the field of metaphor-research and
2 other rhetorical topics. Unfortunately, this view has little to do with the first
3 and second periods of Persian metaphor-research, it has lost its way in the
4 Arabic metaphor-research period, and its capacities are underutilized.
5 Abd al-Qa'ir's views regarding metaphor and other rhetorical topics are
6 loaded and stabilized in Al-Kashshaaf written by Zamakhshari (1114). In
7 addition to representing Qur’ican evidences for metaphor and other rhetorical
8 topics, Zamakhshari uses the analyses and interpretations of Abdul Qahir to
9 name the types still repeated under the category of metaphor. Some of the
10 names are explicit, implicit, main, submerged, allegorical, abstract, and
11 stipulated (Morashahah). What highlights Zamakhshari and his Kashshaaf in
12 the metaphorical research is his religious view of the rhetorical discourses,
13 which views the semantics (Ma’ani) and figurative language as sciences
14 devoted to the Qur'an and regards the mastery of these sciences as the
15 necessity of the commentator’s work. With such a view, metaphor research is
16 linked to the text of the Qur'an, and the types of metaphor become meaningful
17 in relation to the verses of the Qur'an, and henceforth receive greater
18 attention. After Zakhakhshari, Ibn Khatib Razi (1209) continued the work of
19 Abdul Qahir, and his book Nayyah-Al-Ijaz fi Darayatah Al-Ijaz summarizes the
20 Dalil al Ijaz and Asrar al- Balaghah written by Abdul Qahir. Except the fact that
21 he added to its divisions and explanations (Sheikhun, 1994-39, 39). Ibn Khatib
22 Razi's special view about Hadeq al-Sahir Rashid al-Din Watawat can be
23 considered as a turning point in the link between Arabic and Persian rhetoric.
24 However, in the field of metaphor-research, Ibn Khatib Razi has no prominent
25 place due to the presence of Abdul Qahir’s works.
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27 The Fourth Period
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29 Beginning in the seventh century and continuing until today, this period is
30 dominated by the views of the Arabic-writing Iranians such as Sakaki, Khatib
31 Qazwini, and Taftazani. Although there are major trends in Egypt and Yemen
32 and the works of Ibn A'thir, Ibn 'Abi al-Nabi, and the Alawi Yemeni, the
33 influence of Sakaki and his commentators on the rhetorical discourse is so
34 much that there is no opportunity left for the original trends. The second
35 period of metaphor- research in Farsi is also linked to the works of Sakaki and
36 his followers, to the extent that many Persian works in this period can be
37 considered as translations of the works of the fourth period. However, works
38 such as Hedayat al-Balagha continue to adhere to Persianism and attention to
39 the books of the first Persian period. The second period of Persian metaphor-l
40 research began in the early years of the tenth century and still continues. Most
41 of the rhetorical books of the Safavid, Zandieh, Afsharieh, Qajarieh, and
42 Pahlavi era are in the second period. For instance, we can refer to writings
43 such as Anwar al-Balagha by Mohammad Hadi bin Mohammad Saleh
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1 point that has been noted on the relation between simile and metaphor in the
2 books of this period is that the move from simile to metaphor is seen as a
3 move from "beautiful to more beautiful" (Zubai, Halawi, 1996, 95) and such a
4 hierarchy is considered between these imaginary elements: Simile-Simile with
5 the deletion of words of comparison-simile with the deletion of words and
6 medium of comparison-metaphor. They know in short, the rhetoric of simile
7 in its hyperbole, and this hyperbole is increased by eliminating words and the
8 medium of comparison and one of the sides (Agent, 2012, 142).
9 In the hierarchy of transition from simile to metaphor, the eloquent simile
10 is in the middle of the road. Therefore, an accurate identification of the
11 boundary of eloquent simile and metaphor has been one of the concerns of
12 rhetorical books. Entering this discussion, the fifth period books have
13 attempted to illustrate the way to differentiate eloquent simile from metaphor.
14 In their view, the sides are present in the eloquent simile nonetheless, but in
15 metaphor, the simile is forgotten (Jarm, Amin, 2012, 95). The possibility or the
16 impossibility of removing words of comparison is another way of identifying
17 implicit simile and metaphor (Zubeyi, Halawi, 1996, 95).
18 Attention to the relation between the allegorical metaphor and allegory is
19 also found in the fifth period books. The relationship between the two has
20 always been the subject of controversy in Persian and Arabic books. Homayi
21 has elaborated on these issues and has described terms such as compound
22 synecdoche, compound trope to metaphor, and has resolved disagreements by
23 expressing the distinction between simile, allegory, and making "metaphorical
24 exemplum" (Homayi, 1995, 190-200). In this regard, Hashemi speaks of the
25 allegorical metaphor source of exemplum, prevalence of proverb among the
26 people, its constant form in every morphological and syntactical state, its
27 superiority over other trope types because of its allegorical simile root and its
28 compound medium of comparison (Hashemi, 2011, 316). Most of Arabic books
29 of this period have focused on this subject although it has not received much
30 attention in the Persian books.
31
32 The Types of Metaphor Criticism
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34 What is disturbing the metaphorical subject is the formation of different
35 terms and variations. sometimes the philosophy of the type formation is
36 unclear and the formed terms overlap, and sometimes the changes in the
37 perspective forms a specific type. Finally, interest in making terms and
38 looking at details sometimes shape some types that are inconsistent with the
39 definition of metaphor. Hence, the books of this period criticized and
40 analyzed the types of metaphors. Although both the Persian and Arabic
41 rhetoricians disapproved the turmoil in this area, they took two different
42 approaches. The Arabic rhetoricians often criticized Sakkaki and his
43 commentators and knew the divisions and terminology as the cause for the
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1 loss of the value and validity of the rhetorical issues, and in turn, they praised
2 the views of Abdul Qahir Jarjani, Abul Hilal Askari, and generally the second
3 and third period rhetoricians who favored briefness and analyzed aesthetics
4 of metaphor (Maraghi, 1993, 8 and 10; Sheikhun, 1994, 60 and 68; Zubai,
5 Halawi, 1996, 5, 93, 96). As a result, they liked briefness in introducing the
6 types of metaphor. For instance, there is nothing about the types that cause the
7 disturbance of the metaphor in Balaghah al-Wahdah. These rhetoricians only
8 explain and provide evidence for the explicit, implicit, and allegorical
9 metaphor. They know explicit and implicit metaphors as the most important
10 types of metaphor and avoid the types that "distract the mind of the rhetoric
11 and aesthetic implications of the metaphor” (Zubai, Halawi, 1996, 101).
12 However, the Persian rhetoricians still recognize Sakkaki and his followers as
13 excelling in this field and attempt to highlight the similarities and differences
14 by discussing various types. Perhaps the Arabic origin of these types
15 persuades the Arab rhetoricians to modify the term, and urges them to
16 eliminate unnecessary items. However, the fifth period's early books such as
17 Jawahar-e-Balagheh, Balagheh al-Wahdah, and the Ulum Balagheh are still bound
18 by the relations and differences of the implicit, submerged, and imaginary
19 metaphors (Hashemi, 2011, 304; Jarm, Amin, 2012, 74; Maraghi, 1993, 272).
20 They also attempt to reduce the severity of the differences by specifying the
21 appellation and the philosophy of naming the types under discussion and
22 thus defend these divisions (Hashemi, 2011, 303, 306, 307). But the process of
23 metaphorical transformation towards eliminating disparate types is
24 unnecessary.
25
26 A Critique of the Logical, Theological, and Philosophical Views
27
28 The fusion of rhetorical debates with other scholars culminated in al-
29 Sakati's Miftah al-'Ulum and continued by his followers and commentators
30 (Sheikhun, 1994 AD, 67); while some of the former rhetoricians were reluctant
31 to get into non-rhetorical debates. As it is written about Abu Hulal Askari: "He
32 explicitly says that he did not compose his work in the manner of theologians,
33 but rather it was written in the style of poets and writers who are cultivators
34 of speech" (Atiq, Beta, 198). The result of abundant non-rhetorical tendencies
35 is the formation of critical sentences like this: "Rhetoric has changed to barren
36 arduous rules which are laid down in a rational dry form" (Ibid: 268). So, in
37 the preface to the rhetorical books of this period, "the book being empty of
38 margins" (Ameli, 2012, 13) and the rhetorical discussion in a "scientific-
39 literary" manner (Ibid, 14) are emphasized. This moderate approach liberated
40 the metaphor discussion from unnecessary divisions, simplified its teaching
41 by its simple and brief introduction, and freed it from complex and arduous
42 arguments.
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1 Halawi, 1996, 92) are all among the most important benefits of metaphor.
2 Sheikhon points to the benefits of Qur'anic metaphors, which can, of course,
3 be extended to literary texts and their metaphors as well (Sheikhun, 1994, 83).
4 The rhetorical position of metaphor in most of the books in the fifth period
5 has gained an independent place (Jarm, Amin, 2012, 94; Maraghi, 1993, 281;
6 Sheikhun, 1994, 93). Ways and means of identifying rhetoric of metaphor
7 (Zubai, Halawi, 1996, 103), paying attention to the metaphor evaluation,
8 providing the criteria for good metaphors, and paying attention to the
9 eccentricity of metaphor and its factors are among the other points originated
10 from the analytical view of the metaphor researchers of the fifth period. The
11 superiority of the allegorical metaphor due to its basis of allegorical simile,
12 and its medium of comparison is abstracted from different issues, and it is
13 difficult and contemplative (Maraghi, 1993, 288; Hashemi, 2011, 316). A
14 hierarchical expression of metaphorical types, namely, the metaphorical
15 metaphor, implicit metaphor, and explicit metaphor (Sheikhun, 1994, 80), the
16 superiority of stipulation over abstraction because of ignoring simile and
17 enforcing hyperbole (Ameli, 2012, 146) are some of the points in the books of
18 this period. The books of this period regard the moderation in eccentricity and
19 proximity to the mind as the criterion of good metaphor (Ibid, 147). Finally, in
20 line with the analytic view of metaphor, the eccentricity of metaphor and its
21 causes are discussed in the fifth period books, whereas it has received little
22 attention in the earlier periods (Maraghi, 1993, 268). In the third period of
23 Farsi metaphor-research, there is not much analytical view in the books except
24 in Sovar e-Khial by Shafi'I Kadkani, and somehow in Balaghah Taswir written
25 by Fotuhi being influenced by the Western rhetoric and Bayan written by
26 Kazazi and Bayan written by Shamisa. Referring to the terms and conditions of
27 applying the meaning of trope in the forms of Shafi'I's Sovar e-Khial (Shafi'i
28 Kadkani, 1993, 120), which is influenced by the rhetoric books of the second
29 and third Arabic periods, indicating the reasons for superiority stipulation
30 over abstraction in Bayan written by Kazazi, mentioning some points
31 regarding the value of metaphor in this book , and finally, the dispersed
32 analytical and aesthetic look at Shamisa's Bayan are some of the most
33 important points in line with the analytical approach to metaphor reflected in
34 Persian books although they are weak in comparison to those in Arabic books.
35
36 A Criticism of Negligence to the Nature of the Persian Language
37
38 Nature of Persian language is the characteristic of Persian books. It should
39 be indicated that Arabic language has long been the source of rhetorical
40 debates, and except sporadic sentences that have criticized Greekism of the
41 Arabic rhetoricians, there is no mention of negligence to the nature of Arabic
42 language.
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1 Such criticisms are found in the books of the third Persian period,
2 especially in introducing the different types of trope (Homayi, 1995, 205) and
3 submerged metaphor in letters (Ibid, footnote 186), Forouzanfar (Forouzanfar,
4 1997, 6) and Shafiei Kadkani (Shafi'i Kadkani, 1993, 102) have spoken about
5 this point more than others. In current studies, Arabic and Persian language
6 and their characteristics are lost and threatened in the face of the Western
7 dominant research so they require more serious attention.
8 Nativism in the rhetorical and metaphorical discourse of Farsi has just
9 started, and has only led to Farsiism in sub-terms of metaphor. This feature is
10 evident in Bayan written by Kazazi, and the book of Bayan in Persian poetry by
11 Behrouz Tharvatian, that does not seem to be helping the problems of rhetoric
12 and metaphor.
13
14
15 Conclusion
16
17 The rises and falls of metaphorical discussions in Arabic books preceded
18 the ones in Persian books. In the first, second, and early years of the third
19 period, a book on the subject of metaphor in Persian had not yet been
20 compiled so it is not possible to study metaphor in Arabic and Persian during
21 the same period. This possibility begins with the third period of the Arabic
22 metaphor research. The first period of Persian metaphor research is
23 comparable to the first and to some extent the second period in Arabic.
24 Likewise, the second and third period of Persian metaphor is matched with
25 the fourth and fifth period in Arabic respectively. The Persian metaphor
26 researchers have not received much benefit of the third period of the Arabic
27 metaphor research, which is the period of its glory. Generally speaking,
28 metaphor research in Farsi began with translating the Arabic subjects. Then, it
29 moved toward translation and mere imitation. Finally, over the last hundred
30 years, Persian metaphor research tried to criticize, modify, and accommodate
31 the Arabic metaphor research with the nature of Persian language using a
32 critical view. Of course, in the latter period of the Arabic and Persian
33 metaphor research, both movements were influenced by Western research,
34 and if this negligence toward native researches continues in two above
35 languages, there will not be a good perspective for the subject of metaphor
36 and other rhetorical issues. The necessity of formulating metaphorical culture,
37 examining the evolution of metaphor in literary texts, styles and types of
38 literature, reinforcing the analytical and aesthetic aspects of metaphorical
39 debate, paying attention to the nature of languages when using other nations'
40 research, and finally, preserving the imaginary aspects of the metaphor in
41 contrast to the merely scientific approach of some schools and theories are
42 among areas for further study in future Arabic and Persian research.
43
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