Cementing Markers in the Holy Quraʔan: The word sawaaʔ ‘whether’ as a model

Abstract

This paper reports on the use of sawaaʔ ‘whether’ as a cementing marker in the verses of the Holy Quraʔan. The verses containing sawaaʔ as a cementing marker are chosen from 28 instances employing this word. Analysis of the data suggested that sawaaʔ ‘whether’ in the provided verses has the meaning of the sameness with the preceded clause and the meaning of the subordinate conjunction "whether or" with the following clause. Therefore, this word has proved a discourse function which facilitates the perception of the discourse thus reducing the effort of the hearer to follow the speaker, achieving ultimately the optimal relevance (see Sperber and Wilson1986; 1995). Such plays a significant role in maintaining the flow of the speaker-hearer communication, conveying a sense of connectivity in that it connects the stretches of the discourse altogether.