Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Arts, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
2 Arab Open University, Jordan
3 Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan
Abstract
The study examines the linguistic and rhetorical devices used to express irony in Jordanian Arabic on social media. By analyzing a corpus of 67 ironic posts, the study identifies various forms of ironic expressions: pictorial texts, texts with emojis, and text only presented in Jordanian Arabic, Arabized words, Standard Arabic, or a mixture of them. The study reveals that irony is a complex phenomenon on social networking sites expressed through various linguistic and rhetorical devices, including sarcasm, jocularity, hyperbole, understatement, and rhetorical questions. The use of irony serves different purposes, such as conveying effective persuasive and evaluation messages that leave a deeper impact on the addressee’s mind. It is a vital means of constructive criticism to criticize foolishness and corruption in both individuals and society. The study shows that irony is a universal and culturally specific technique, demonstrating distinctive cultural inherited features and in-group solidarity. It provides invaluable insights into the figurative usage of language, with theoretical and practical implications.
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