Tikrit University

A Phono-Pragmatic Study of Gemination in the Glorious Quran with Reference to English

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Abstract
Gemination involves articulating a consonant twice due to muscle tension. This study analyzes gemination in the Qur'an concerning English, focusing on its pragmatic functions and phonological distinctions. While well-documented in Arabic, its interpretive implications in the Qur'an are underexplored. Using qualitative analysis and a Context Model, which is a theoretical framework initially proposed by van Dijk in 2008 and further developed in 2009, forms the foundation of this study. The problem of this study revolves around analyzing selected Ayahs to determine how the dual roles of phonology and pragmatics contribute to the understanding of gemination in the Glorious Qur'an. It examines how gemination affects interpretation, analyzing acoustic features with Pratt software to investigate the phonological features that differentiate between geminated and ungeminated lexical items, showing gemination contributes to distinctions in meaning. More importantly, it explores how gemination influences the interpretation of specific Ayahs. The study examines how gemination shapes meaning, emphasis, and theological nuances, hypothesizing it as a rhetorical device that enhances understanding and interpretation. Combining classical tafsīr analysis with acoustic phonetics, it finds gemination is not just phonological but a deliberate communication device that amplifies meaning and auditory impact.

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Volume 10, Issue 1, Part 1
Winter 2026
Pages 356-377

  • Receive Date 01 July 2025
  • Accept Date 28 July 2025
  • Publish Date 01 March 2026