The Principle of Moderation in Arabic Rhetoric: A Pragmatic Discourse Analysis of Al-Jāḥiẓ’s Statement: “Speech Has Its Limits; When It Exceeds Them, It Falls Beyond the Bounds of Eloquence.”

Abstract

This study examines the principle of moderation in Arabic rhetoric through an analytical-pragmatic reading of al-Jāḥiẓ’s statement: “Speech has limits; when it exceeds them, it departs from eloquence.” The paper argues that this statement reflects an early functional theory of discourse rather than a merely normative rhetorical judgment. Using a descriptive-analytical and interpretive approach, the study rereads al-Jāḥiẓ’s ideas in light of modern discourse rhetoric and pragmatics. It concludes that the concept of “limits of speech” constitutes a foundational notion of relevance and rhetorical economy in Arabic rhetorical thought.