Advice in Arabic Health Proverbs

.1 ‫صوموا تصحوا‬
[Fast and you will recover]

This proverb gives reference to fasting which is a very healthy habit; it is one of
the pillars of Islam. Many people are unaware of the health benefits of fasting. The
proverb implicitly declares that fasting, in addition to its religious value, contains
many benefits to the whole health of people. Fasting helps cure many diseases like
“diabetes and high blood pressure”. Moreover, Fasting affects “the digestive
system because it gives it a period for rest and hence the rates for producing
digestive juices decrease”. It influences weight because it “reduces the amount of
stored body fats which leads to weight-loss.” (Arabic Language Blog, 2021.
https://blogs.transparent.com/arabic/listening-exercise-fasting-and-health )

Pragmatically, the proverb provides a motivation for all people to fast regarding
many advantages associated with it. Since fasting has an attribute of beneficiality,
this proverb brings as a piece of advice to the listener that if he fasts he will have
better health. In this case, the speaker has sufficient reason (moral and religious)
to exhort his addressee to the undertaking of the recommended future act .Thus,this
proverbs is said to express the illocutionary act of advice.

Structurally, this proverb issues the indirect speech act of advice by the use of the
a complex sentence based on two imperative clauses highlighted by the two verbs
‫ صوموا‬and‫ تصحوا‬. These two imperative clauses come in the form of conditional
sentence if ‫ (صوموا‬if you fast) and ‫( تصحوا‬then you will recover).
2. ‫النظافة من اإليمان‬
[Cleanliness is next to Godliness]
This proverb is one of the most important religious proverbs related with
people’s health, since it refers to the idea that people have a moral duty to keep
themselves and their homes clean . Indeed, this proverb is a popular , it is
used to encourage personal hygiene and neatness, likening cleanliness to
spiritual devoutness and goodness. In other words, it’s used to say that
it’s almost as important to be clean as it is to be virtuous and good—
even that keeping home and body clean is the right thing to do morally,
or that doing so brings someone closer to God . (The Word Counter ,
2021.https://thewordcounter.com/what-does-cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness-
mean/ )
From a pragmatic perspective , this proverb imparts advice or shares a
universal truth associated with people’s health which is cleanliness . It is
often employed to indicate the speech act of advice indirectly , since the speaker
who issues this proverb wants to tell his addressee that it’s important to keep
himself , as well as his personal space, clean; that doing so is almost as
important as being “good’’. The addressee should take this utterance as
possessing the illocutionary act of advice since it is beneficial to him .

Structurally, this proverb represents the indirect speech act of advice by the use of
a simple declarative sentence. The illocutionary force of advice lies in the lexical
noun ‫ النظافة‬and ‫ اإليمان‬, in order to showing the similarity between these two acts .
3. ‫راحة الجسم في قلة الطعام‬
[ Body comfort in lack of food ]
In this proverb, there is a golden rule that the more a person reduces the amount
of food he eats per day, the greater his chances of having a better health. This
proverb has been communicated widely by people, it provides an advice for people
to reduce their food and be satisfied with what fills hunger. Eating moderately has
many benefits, one of which is that a person will have a healthier body , free from
diseases which are caused by obesity. ( Islam Question & Answer, 2010.
https://islamqa.info/ar/answers/ )

Pragmatically, it is obvious that this proverb issues the speech act of advising
because it offers a healthy beneficial act related with health of people . The speaker
who enunciates this proverb wants to tell his addressee that he eats as much as he
needs , this will be advantageous to his health and can protecting him from
diseases. The hearer’s compliance with the commended future act of reducing food
is shown to be beneficial and conducive to the hearer’s positive face, but is
conditioned on the hearer’s belief in the advice before the undertaking of such
future act. The speech act of advice is expressed by the use of this proverb as
featured by the application of the attribute of beneficiality.

Structurally , the speech act of advice is realized via a simple active sentence .
This declarative sentence is highlighted by the use of lexical nouns ‫ قلة‬, ‫ الجسم‬, ‫راحة‬
and ‫ الطعام‬to make a rule that lack of food leads to the health of body .
.4‫تغدى و تمدى و تعشى و تمشى‬
] Eat your lunch and lie down, eat your dinner and walk [
This proverb establishes a useful healthy habits that people should do after their
meals , which are snooze after lunch and walking after dinner . This saying is used
as an advice for people by telling them that taking a snooze after launch is a
healthy habit , on the other hand walking after dinner helps them by slow down the
rise in blood sugar level and improve metabolism. Gradually, this saying gained
currency and became a popular proverb commonly used in healthy contexts. ( Iman
Milook, 2020. https://p.dw.com/p/3cTjv)

Pragmatically , this proverb relates with a healthy habits that people should do
after their meals in order to obtain good health. Since this proverb assumes wisdom
and knowledge, it is essentially utilized to indirectly present the illocutionary act of
advice . The speaker who pronounces this proverb wants to inform his addressee
that taking a snooze after launch and walking after dinner are a healthy habits he
must abide by them. On the part of the initiator of this proverb, he feels that he has
sufficient reason to offer his advice to his addressee since the execution of this act
will be to the best interest of the addressee. Hence, the illocutionary act of advice is
communicated through the use of this proverb as highlighted by the existence of

.the characteristic of beneficiality

Structurally, this advisory act is indirectly expressed through the use of a

compound sentence based on two imperative clauses are featured by lexical
verbs ,‫ تمشى‬, ‫ تعشى‬, ,‫ تمدى‬, ‫تغدى‬to make a healthy rules that all people should
follow after their meals .

.5‫الصحة تاج على رؤوس األصحاء‬

] Health is a crown on the head of healthy people [
This proverb is pertinent to the situation in which enunciating it in order to
illustrating the value of health as it is the most important blessing of all the
blessings that God has bestowed upon us. Indeed ,good health is what makes a
person feel content and stable, and protects him from fear and stress, as well as it
enables him to live freely and perform his duties without any hindrance. This
saying is popularly known and repeatedly used as it is based on a common sense,
and it has gradually turned into a very familiar proverb used in advising people to
maintain their health . ( Sarah Kafafi, 2020. https://sotor.com/ )
On the pragmatic level, this proverb expresses the idea that health is the first way
we can live well. This proverb is often employed to indicate the speech act of
advice indirectly , since it conveys a piece of advice based on a practical fact
attached to our life. The speaker who issues this proverb desires to tell his
addressee that however strong he might be, he should take care of his health ,
because it provides a happy life. Acceptance of this advice requires one not only to
believe in it, but also to be take care of his health actually

Structurally , this advisory act of advising is structurally realized by the use of

a simple active sentence. This declarative sentence is highlighted by the use of
lexical nouns ‫ الصحة‬and ‫تاج‬, as an advice describing that health is crown on the
heads of healthy

6 .‫خير الغداء بواكره و خير العشاء بواصره‬

] ??????????????????????????????? [
 One of the commandments associated with people’s health is that a time of their
meals , for this reason the above proverb is created and it means that people must
take their lunch and dinner early and more precisely is the time when there is
daylight and food is visible before dark. ) Almaidani ,1258 : 244 )
Indeed , ancient Arab have lunch in the early hours of the afternoon and they
intent by that is to be early for their works. On the other hand , from scientific
perspective , health scientists say that this is better than delaying food until it is
before bedtime, because sleeping with a full stomach results in diseases, and
sleeping with it is not pleasant. But if a person dines early, he moves after dinner,
and the time for bed does not come until the first digestion of food is completed.
( Daouat-alhaq. http://www.habous.gov.ma/daouat-alhaq/item/2601 )

From the pragmatic perspective, this proverb is concerned with the right times of
eating meals and how this act will be beneficial to the health . It is manipulated to
render the illocutionary act of advise with respect to the criterial attributes of
beneficiality . The speaker who enunciates this proverb wants to tell his addressee
that having his lunch and dinner early will result many advantages to his health. Of
course, the act will be deemed felicitous if the hearer takes the speaker’s proverb as
.initiating the illocutionary act of advice

Structurally, the speech act of advice in this proverb is realized by a compound

active sentence depend on two declarative clauses highlighted by lexical nouns
‫بواص^^ره‬, ‫ العش^^اء‬, ‫ بواكره‬,‫ الغداء‬to produce an advice for people to take their meals
early.

.7‫البيت الذي تدخله الشمس ال يدخله حكيم‬

] The house that the sun enters , there is no doctor enters it [

or
] A house in the sun never calls a doctor [
This popular proverb confirms to people the effect of sunlight on their lives and
health. Actually , the sun has a positive effect on health, and its rays entering
homes keep away many diseases and exempt residents from visiting the doctor .
This saying has been communicated and transferred from one person to another to
become one of the frequently used proverbs, which can be manipulated to
designate the significance of the sun. https://hkjtoday.com/2014/03/71945

Pragmatically, this proverb attracts attention of people to the advantages of the

sun to their health. The piece of advice is shown to be conditional on hearer's
intention to make his home allows the sun to enter, then he will not need a doctor .
Accordingly, the beneficiality felicity conditions of speech act of advice have been
employed in this proverb , provided that the speaker believes that the issuance of
.the proverb will result in something beneficial to the hearer

Structurally , the speech act of advice manifested in this proverb is realized by

a complex sentence based on two declarative clauses . The illocutionary force of
advice embodies in ‫ البيت الذي تدخله الشمس‬to direct people to the fact which is when
the sun enters their homes there is no need to the doctor because it has many
healthy benefits to the body .

8 .‫الصحة أفضل من الثروة‬

] Health is better than wealth [

This proverb states that good health is extremely important, invaluable and
indispensable . A Healthy body paves the way for a healthy mind. Moreover, when
the mind is at peace a lot can be achieved in terms of name, fame and money.
Having excessive wealth without good health is of no use. At best wealth can only
get the best treatments but cannot give back healthy body. With a healthy body
even impossible feats seem easy https://www.advance-africa.com/health-is-better-
than-wealth.html

Pragmatically, this proverb declares that health has a more value than wealth
because when someone has a good health, he can work more productively. This
proverb expresses the illocutionary act of advice by providing a motivation for
people to take care of their health. The speaker of this proverb desires to inform
his addressee that if he cultivate good healthy habits, so he can keep earning
money later in life. Since good intentions lead to benevolent actions, issuing this
. proverb as a piece of advice will be beneficial to the hearer

Structurally, the speech act of advice in this proverb is realized by a simple

active sentence. This declarative sentence is highlighted by the use of two lexical
‫ الصحة‬and ‫الثروة‬ . to reveals a fact that health is better than wealth

.9‫درهم وقاية خير من قنطار عالج‬

] An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure [

This proverb considers as a simplification of the concept of relationship among

prevention, disease and treatment in general. Firstly, prevention means the
protection and primary care of health , that is, the procedures that should be
followed to protect a person from contracting a disease or to predict it and limit its
repercussions. The procedures of prevention lays on cleanliness, practicing
beneficial exercises , adequate food and adequate sleep as well as medication from
disease. (Wafaa Al-Hashash, 2016. https://www.alanba.com.kw/kottab/wafaa-
alhashash/707223/18-12-2016-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%85-
%D9%88%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AE%D9%8A%D8%B1-
%D9%82%D9%86%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-
%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AC/)

Pragmatically , this proverb encourages the idea of protection to avoid the need
to treatment because prevention of disease leads to protection from the
complications that can lead to it. Considering the pragmatic issues, this proverb
can be fruitfully manipulated to express the direct speech act of advice. The
speaker who issues this proverb wants to tell his addressee that protection of his
health is better than treatment in the case of illness . Besides, the execution of the
. prescribed act will be to the benefit of the addressees

Structurally, the speech act of advice realized in this verse is expressed by a

simple active sentence. The illocutionary force of advice investigated by the use of
‫ درهم وقاية‬which conveys the sense of the condition whereby the validity of the
speech act of advice can be released .

.10‫الحركة بركة‬

] In the movement there is blessing [

This proverb declares that movement ( which is the activeness of body ) is one of
the important ways of maintaining health. As we know , food is the source of
energy for the body and movement is what burns this energy , so there must be a
proportion between food and body movement so as not to get obese. Moreover,
body movement increases fat burning in the body and restores its balance, as well
as it helps in preventing weight gain and heart diseases .
https://www.albayan.ae/five-senses/2002-04-07-1.1295149
From a pragmatic perspective , this proverb highlight the fact which is the
higher the level of physical activity, the greater the health benefits. It represents a
speech act of advice; it advises people to be active as much as possible to preserve
their health. By stressing the benefits of body activeness, the speaker who
articulates this proverb wishes to inform his addressee that movement of his body
has many healthy advantages. Hence, the illocutionary act of advice is
communicated through the use of this proverb as highlighted by the existence of
.the characteristic of beneficiality

Structurally, this advisory act is indirectly signified through the use of a simple
declarative sentence highlighted by the use of lexical nouns ‫ الحرك ة‬and ‫برك ة‬
referring to the advice that movement of body leads to healthy advantages .

11 .‫أقلل طعامك تحمد منامك‬

] Reduce your food , rest in your sleep [

This proverb encourages people to protect their health by not reaching the stage
of satiety by eating, especially before bedtime . In this case, his sleeping will be
comfortable and relaxing; this is because satiety and a lot of food cause anxiety
and insomnia. This proverb has gradually become a familiar proverb expressing an
advice about eating a light meal in the evening. ( Rana Alatoum, 2021.
https://e3arabi.com/ )

Pragmatically , this proverb advises people to reducing their food before the time
of sleeping and this will leads them to a comfort sleep . It is obvious that this
proverb realizes the speech act of advice. The piece of advice is shown to be
conditional on hearer’s intention to make his food little before bedtime , his sleep
will be quite . Because the commanded future act is beneficial to the hearer, the
speaker feels that it is his duty to advise him to do the thing which is beneficial .
Compliance with the commended undertaking of reducing food before sleep is
shown to be highly beneficial, since in doing so someone avails himself to the best
.of sleep

Structurally, illocutionary force of advice is expressed through the use of a

complex sentence which consists of two simple active sentences . This imperative
clause ‫ اقل^^ل طعام^^ك‬embodies the advice , while the second clause ‫تحم^^د منام^^ك‬is
declarative and reflects the beneficial results behind this act .

12 .‫ستستمر بشبابك ما بقيت تنتقي أكالتك‬

] You will remain young as long as you choose your foods[

According to this proverb , the stage of youth remains long and continuous, even
if someone grows old, as long as a person is able to carefully select his food; This
is done by supplying the body with the minerals and vitamins that it requires, and
keeping it away from every type of food that harms it. Hence , this proverb often
made use of in encouraging the idea of select useful types of food which contain a
high healthy value. https://e3arabi.com/?p=948831

From the pragmatic perspective, this proverb advises people to save their health
and youth by eating healthy types of food . In this case, it is often manipulated to
render the illocutionary act of advice with respect to the criterial attributes of
beneficiality . The speaker who issues this proverb wants to tell his addressee that
when eat a health food , he will be young . The addressee should take this proverb
.as possessing the illocutionary act of advice since it is beneficial to him
 Structurally, the speech act of advice highlighted in this proverb is realized via a
compound sentence based on two simple clauses . The illocutionary force of advice
lays on the second clause ‫ ما دمت تنتقي أكالتك‬suggests choosing the healthy food and
plays the role of conditions recommended to the act of advice .

Results
The pragmatic analysis of the speech act of advice of the twelve Arabic proverbs
can be summed up in the following table which illustrates information of the
proverb selected, types of speech act (direct/ indirect),sentence complexity (simple,
compound and complex), voice (active/passive) and sentence mood ( declarative
and imperative).

Table (1): Advice in Arabic Health Proverbs

Proverb Proverb Type of SA Complexity Voice Mood

No

1. ‫صوموا تصحوا‬ Indirect Compound Active Imperative

2. ‫النظافة من اإليمان‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

3. ‫راحة الجسم في قلة الطعام‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

4. ‫تغدى و تمدى و تعشى و تمشى‬ Indirect Compound Active Imperative

5. ‫الصحة تاج على رؤوس األصحاء‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

Indirect Compound Active Declarative

6. ‫خير الغداء بواكره و خير العشاء بواصره‬
 7. ‫البيت الذي تدخله الشمس ال يدخله حكيم‬ Indirect Complex Active Declarative

8. ‫الصحة أفضل من الثروة‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

9. ‫درهم وقاية خير من قنطار عالج‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

10. ‫الحركة بركة‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

11. ‫أقلل طعامك تحمد منامك‬ Indirect Compound Active Imperative

12. ‫ستستمر بشبابك ما بقيت تنتقي أكالتك‬ Indirect Complex Active Declarative

The analysis of the speech act of advice in the twelve selected health proverbs
: uncovers the following resulting points
In correlation with data analysis, health proverbs are manipulated to indirectly . 1
issue the speech acts of advice .Probably , the utilization of indirectness might give
the speaker more freedom to convey his/her message . Furthermore , indirectness
.offers a more polite manner to the speaker to demonstrate his/her advice

2. In terms of sentence-complexity, it seems that 6 cases of simple sentences and 4

cases of compound sentences and 2 cases of complex, are recorded in the examples
given. This is due to the fact that proverbs are often presented in simple ideas
rather than complex ones to help people receive messages conveyed . Compound
sentences are often preferred when there are two coordinating ideas are used .

3. All the speech acts of advice are manipulated in active sentences rather passive
ones, as active sentences are more expressive and informative to relate to the
actions contained in the propositions forming the proverbs.
4. The pragmatic analysis of advice in Health proverbs, records 9 examples of
declarative sentences and 3 examples of imperative sentences. Declarative clauses are
often more characterized than imperative ones, simply because the speaker can
display his/her viewpoint in more comprehensible and less directive way. With
declarative clauses, the speaker can give his/her statement regarding warning with
explicatory details and justifications.

Warning in Arabic Health Proverbs

1 .‫و كلوا و اشربوا و ال تسرفوا‬

] Eat and drink, and do not waste [
In this proverb, there is an invitation to people to eat and drink and warn against
excessive; it explores the idea of excessive filling of the stomach, regarding its
severe damages to health. Nowadays , this proverb described as one of the most
important health orders and teachings which reveals the need to mediate and not to
overeat because the excessive food leads to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and
premature aging . (Abdulelah Al-Shabibi, 2018.
http://www.kitabat.info/subject.php?id=120314

Pragmatically, this proverb warns people against binge eating since it causes
many disadvantages and diseases. In correlation with the above discussion, this
proverb pragmatically enunciates the indirect illocutionary act of warning. This
means that the warning provides sufficient reason to the hearer to comply with
proverb in the hearer's future action. The enunciator of this proverb tells his
. addressee to avoid a thing which is unhealthy
 Structurally, the speech act of warning signified in this proverb is realized by a
compound- complex sentence which consists of three simple clauses . These
imperative clauses are featured by the lexical verbs ‫ ال تس^^رفوا‬, ‫ اش^^ربوا‬, ‫ كل^^وا‬are
used to refer to the warning against overeating

. 2‫احذر طعاما قبل هضم الطعام‬

] .…………………………………… [

This proverb reveals the fact that no all kinds of food are suitable for all people .
In another word , there are many people suffer from diseases prevent them from
eating certain types of food , and when they eat it, they will hurt themselves. This
proverb shows that if there is a useful system that a person adheres to, he will
regulate his eating in a way that suits his health and psychological condition . It has
.become a familiar warning used by doctors and nutritionists

https://almerja.com/reading.php?idm=146549

Pragmatically, this proverb emphasizes that some food threatens human

existence or prevents him from enjoying food again and forever . From the very
beginning of its existence , this proverb has been a warning against eating all the
types of food regardless of its damages. As a proverb, it conveys the illocutionary
act of warning. The speaker believes that it is his moral duty to warn the hearer
against something dangerous and harmful. Therefore, the enunciation of the words
must perform the illocutionary act of warning, which lays an imposition on the
hearer to avoid the risky act predicated of the proverb.
Structurally, this proverb explicitly exercises the illocutionary act of advice
which is manifested through a simple active sentence. This declarative sentence is
highlighted by the lexical noun‫اكلة‬

referring to the harmful food , the illocutionary force of warning is featured by

lexical verb ‫منعت‬. the

3 .‫البطنة تذهب الفطنة‬

] Gluttony goes promptitude [

The intended meaning of this proverb is to disparage eating too much food.
Furthermore, it is used as a warning for people through the idea that relates
between gluttony and promptitude. There are many health risks caused by
overeating , modern medicine has proven that overeating not only causes obesity
(and short life), but also affects the mental faculty directly. However, this proverb
has been manipulated in cases pertinent to warning others against overeating .
( Fahad Amer Al Ahmadi , 2012. https://www.alriyadh.com/712879 )

From a pragmatic perspective, this proverb warn people against overeating

depending on the risks involved in this act . It is initiated to express the speech act
of warning indirectly, provided that the initiator believes that the event
( Overeating) is not in the hearer’s best interest. He warns his hearer of this
unwanted and unpleasant thing , since such it is dangerous and unhealthy . This
strategy makes hearer have sufficient reason to heed the warning and avoid
. gluttony

Structurally, regarding the speech act of advice manifested in this proverb , it is

the utilization of a simple active sentence which is highlighted by the two lexical
nouns‫ البطنة‬means an overeating and how it leads to harmful consequence which is
 ‫ الفطنة‬mental ability referring to the

4 .‫خفف طعامك تأمن سقامك‬

] Lighten your food, you will be safe from disease[

The first version of this proverb was from a group of doctors, who presented
through it a great and clear wisdom represented in the fact that the increase in food
intake is the main cause of diseases entering the body and causing many health
problems. Yet, this proverb has been frequently manipulated in social
communicative contexts. It has gained currency and become a familiar proverb
used in situations where a warning against overrated food.
https://e3arabi.com/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-
%D9%88%D8%A3%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84/%D8%A3%D9%85%
D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A
%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-
/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85

Pragmatically speaking, this proverb directs people not to eat too much because
this act hurts their health and leads to the illness. This proverb issues the indirect
speech act of warning , since it warns people against something unhealthy . The
speaker believes that he has sufficient reason to caution the hearer since the
resultant future event is not beneficial to the hearer. The speaker here is under
moral obligation to issue his warning and hopes that his words count as an act of
warning by the hearer. Such a disagreeable result provides a deterring factor for all
. people to commit themselves to reduce their food in order to stay healthy

Structurally , this proverb explicitly exercises the illocutionary act of warning

which is manifested through a complex sentence whose first imperative clause ‫خفف‬
‫ طعامك‬exposes the speech act of warning . The second clause ‫ تأمن سقامك‬exhibits the
harmful consequences if the hearer doesn’t follow this warning

5 .‫احذر طعاما قبل هضم الطعام‬

] …………………… [
This proverb means that when someone eats before the digestion of his previous
food , in this case he will hurt himself . It is known that food needs a period of time
to be digested and there must be time between the two meals. This proverb warns
people against eating their meals at frequent times, because this act causes
indigestion and disease . (Abdul Razzaq bin Mustafa/Antaki, 11: 1108 )

Pragmatically , this proverb warns people against harmful act which is eating two
meals at the same period of time , thus it causes many disadvantages to the health
such as obesity and digestive problems .On the basis of the fact that the thing to be
warned against is something unpleasant and even, this proverb is utilized to
establish the advisory act of warning. The speaker instructs his addressee that
something risky might occur to him so that the latter can avoid it. In fact, non-
compliance in this respect is a face-threatening act shows the violator as a someone
. neglectful

Structurally, the speech act of warning utilized in this proverb is realized through a
complex sentence consists of two simple sentences . This imperative sentence
featured by the use of ‫ احذر‬as a warning against something risky which is ‫طعاما‬. is

6 .‫البرد سبب كل علة‬

] Cold is the cause of every bug [

This proverb reviews one of the weather phenomena that harm health, which is
cold, since it is attributed to causing diseases such as flu and colds and this because
low temperatures. This proverb described as a shorter wisdom that can be easily
pronounced and easily memorized in the case of warning people against direct
/exposure to the cold. https://www.aljazeera.net/news/lifestyle

Pragmatically, this proverb is employed to fit situations where a warning is

issued in cold days in winter season , thus this act leads them to be sick . The
speaker who indirectly warns his addressee by means of this proverb is actually
telling him that (Cold ) is not beneficial and even dangerous. Since the future event
predicated of the wording of the proverb is not beneficial to the addressee, the
speaker feels that he has sufficient reason to tell him to avoid it. This warning
implies that people are required to prudently contemplate upon the consequences
. of their future actions in order to avoid the harmful ones that hurt their health

Structurally , the indirect speech act of warning is realized via a simple active
sentence , the illocutionary force of warning is highlighted by the lexical noun ‫البرد‬
and ‫علة‬ . , to show the avoidance against cold weather

7 .‫ال تقوم عن الطعام إال و أنت تشتهيه‬

] .……………………… [
In reference to the topic of overeating , this proverb warns people not to overeat,
as they must get up from the table of food without reaching the stage of satiety;
this is because satiety and excess food cause a lot of negative symptoms . Instead
of that, they must eat as much as the actual need. This warning has become a
familiar proverb used in such situations when the utterance is about how to become
agile. https://abu.edu.iq/islamic-sciences/courses/general-lessons/islamic-
education/44-26

From the pragmatic perspective, this proverb declares the fact that when someone
eats more and reach to the stage of satiety, then he will harm himself.
Consequently, this proverb represents the indirect speech act of warning. The
speaker indirectly asks the hearer to avoid thus act since it is unhealthy .The
speaker here feels that he is under ethical responsibility to offer his warning as he
wants that beneficial to the addressee and his words count as an act of advisory
.warning by the hearer

Structurally, this proverb issuing the indirect speech act of warning , is realized
via s simple declarative sentence highlighted by the lexical nouns ‫ البرد‬and ‫ علة‬to
show avoidance against the cold weather .

.8‫من لم يحتمل مرارة الدواء دام ألمه‬

]Whoever cannot bear the bitterness of the medicine, his pain lasts[
This proverb explores the subject of medicines as one of the important themes
related with health . It warns against not taking medication in case of illness . Here
the matter seems clear, for whoever takes the drug has to bear its bitterness
reluctantly and not be alienated from its taste or smell, and he must adhere to the
manner of taking it, and the amount of its doses so that the drug plays its desired
role in the body to achieve recovery . https://forums.alkafeel.net/node/879307
Pragmatically, as a speech act, the proverb indirectly warns people against the
harmful results of leaving the medication. The consequences of violating this
indirect warning are made explicit through likening of not taking the medication to
the disease persistence . The speech act of warning is indirect in the sense that a
hearer is not straightforwardly told to avoid neglecting medication ; rather through
its bad consequence .Therefore, the warning is most likely to be observed here
.because it is coupled with healthy benefits to the hearer
Structurally , this proverb expresses the speech act of warning , consists of a
complex sentence composed of two declarative sentences. The illocutionary force
of proverb of warning lies in the first sentence
‫لم يحتمل مرارة األلم‬
as a harmful act leads to dangerous result which is ‫زاد ألمه‬

9 .‫ال تميتوا القلوب بكثرة الطعام و الشراب‬

] Do not kill the hearts with the abundance of food and drink[
This proverb means that taking lots of food and drink should be avoided because
it is a bad and harmful . It follows from this proverb that a person should avoid
binge eating and drinking, because this may lead to the formation of chemical
compounds inside the body that may be harmful, such as cholesterol, the increase
of which may lead to blockages in the blood vessels and to the occurrence of
various diseases in the heart and circulatory system.
https://forums.alkafeel.net/node/879307

Pragmatically, as a speech act, the proverb warns against satiety first and
provides helpful incentives for avoiding and quitting this bad habit next. Literally ,
this act is described as killing the heart , such a disagreeable result provides a
deterring factor for all those who neglect their food and drink. This proverb is
taken as expressing the illocutionary act of warning since the execution of this
commended future act lays a moral obligation on the hearers . Hence, the user of
this proverb feels that it is his duty to tell his addressee to avoid overeating and its
. serious consequences

Structurally , the speech act of warning utilized in this proverb is realized through
‫ التميتوا‬the simple declarative active sentence . The illocutionary force of warning is
highlighted by the use of lexical verb
and ‫ كثرة الطعام و الشراب‬. Referring to the immoderate eating and drinking

10 .‫ال تجلس على الطعام إال و أنت جائع‬

] Don’t eat unless you are hungry [
Concerning health affairs , there are many people eat the food because they don’t
find anything else to do , or because the act of eating feels them comfortable , but
this act leads to serious healthy consequences. Scientifically , the body absorbs
only a little food, and when a person is hungry and eats, the food is absorbed
easily, unlike in the case of satiety, most of the food is converted to storage in the
form of fats, and from here obesity and diseases such as blood pressure and
diabetes are created. https://www.alkawthartv.ir/news/180338

Pragmatically, this proverb warns people against unhealthy habit by telling them
that they must not to eat unless they are hungry . As a proverb, it realizes the
speech act of warning against eating in the case of satiety . This warning indicates
that people should think wisely about the consequences of their food habits to
avoid harmful ones to their health. The speaker here has sufficient reason to
believe that the present act is not beneficial to his addressee. On their part, the
hearers have to comply with this warning ; otherwise, they will endure its harmful
.consequences
Structurally, the indirect speech act of warning appeared in this proverb is
structurally made of a complex sentence. The illocutionary force of warning is
featured by the lexical verb‫التجلس‬
and ‫ الطعام‬Suggesting the table of food , and
‫جائع‬.……………

11 .‫المعدة بيت الداء‬

] The stomach is the house of disease[
This proverb explores the idea of that diseases enter the body by anything
unhealthy enters the stomach , indicating all types of food and drink . Moreover ,
Ingestion of multiple and uninformed types of food may cause indigestion, and
may lead to poisoning food caused by overeating and acute intestinal infections,
which usually become chronic due to pathological germs that settled in the
intestines , then sending toxins into the blood circulation, affecting the nervous
system, respiratory system, urinary kidney system, which causes an imbalance in
the body's functions. https://www.maarifa.org/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=1145&Itemid=1140

Pragmatically, the very wording of the proverb strongly stresses a warning

against filling the stomach with harmful things. A dangerous consequence awaits
the hearer if he does not comply with this warning. This implies that such a
warning provides the hearer with sufficient reason to comply with this warning and
take care of his food and drink . Hence, the user of this proverb feels that it is his
duty to tell his addressee to avoid unhealthy food .
Structurally , this proverb issued the speech act of warning is expressed by a
simple declarative sentence . The illocutionary force of warning embodies in
lexical nouns ‫ المعدة‬and ‫الداء‬
 Which are playing the role of the warning act of take care of anything enters
the stomach .

12 .‫ال ُتنال الصّح ة إاّل بالحمية‬

] ..…………………………… [
This proverb is delivered to the people who are suffering from obesity or other
chronic diseases , it warns them that they cannot attain health without following a
diet . Diet means that people must save their health by firstly, choose healthy food
containing all the needs of body such as carbohydrates, protein and low-fat foods.
Secondly , stay away from unhealthy food . Thirdly, organizing their daily meal
times. This proverb made use of in situations where one finds it necessary to warn
against diseases and require people to be concerned with their health.
https://baqiatollah.net/article.php?id=7981

Pragmatically, this proverb indirectly indicates a warning against taking foods

and drinks randomly. The speaker has sufficient reason to warn people against the
risk of the future act of eating unhealthy food and drink. On their part, the hearers
have to comply with the warning ; otherwise, they will endure its harmful
consequences. Here, the speaker feels that it is his moral obligation to warn his
addressees against this harmful act since the addressees' non-compliance with the
.commended future act can cost them their health

Structurally, this proverb explicitly exercises the illocutionary act of warning

which is manifested through a simple active sentence . This declarative sentence is
highlighted by the use of ‫ ال تنال الصحة‬,referring to the loss of health
 And the second clause ‫ اال بالحمية‬represents the condition to the warning act to be
attained .

Results

After surveying the pragmatic analysis of the speech acts of warning which is
based on the health proverbs introduced in the section above, the table below
reveals the type of speech act, the type of complexity, voice, and mood of the
. sentence used to employ the speech act of warning
Table (2): Warning in Arabic Health Proverbs

Proverb Proverb Type of SA Complexity Voice Mood

No

1. ‫و كلوا و اشربوا و ال تسرفوا‬ Indirect Compound- Active Imperative

complex

2. ‫احذر طعاما قبل هضم الطعام‬ Indirect Complex Active Imperative

3. ‫البطنة تذهب الفطنة‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

4. ‫خفف طعامك تأمن سقامك‬ Indirect Complex Active Imperative

5. ‫احذر طعاما قبل هضم الطعام‬ Indirect Simple Active Imperative

6. ‫البرد سبب كل علة‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

7. ‫ال تقوم عن الطعام إال و أنت تشتهيه‬ Indirect Complex Active Imperative

8. ‫من لم يحتمل مرارة الدواء دام ألمه‬ Indirect Complex Active Declarative

9. ‫ال تميتوا القلوب بكثرة الطعام و الشراب‬ Indirect Simple Active Imperative

10. ‫ال تجلس على الطعام إال و أنت جائع‬ Indirect Complex Active Imperative
11. ‫المعدة بيت الداء‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

12. ‫ال ُتنال الصّح ة إاّل بالحمية‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

Looking at the table above, it reveals that the pragmatic analysis of the speech act
of warning in twelve health proverbs can result in the following findings:

1. In all the examples presented, the speech act of warning is indirectly executed .
This is due to the fact that indirectness might give the speaker more freedom to
carry his/her message. Further, the use of indirectness issues more refined way
to the speaker to offer his/her advice.

2. In respect with sentence-complexity, 6 proverbs of simple sentences 5 proverbs

of complex sentences, 1 proverb of compound-complex sentence , are recorded
in the twelve selected health proverbs. Commonly , the goal of the use of
simple sentences is that these proverbs are often utilized to give simple ideas
which should be understood by people. However , the use of compound and
complex and compound-complex sentences is sometimes favored, especially
when more than one idea is presented .

3. All the speech acts of warning in the examples above are syntactically analyzed in
active sentences rather passive ones. Hence , the utilization of active voice is
frequently motivated in proverbs sayings, since the speaker can give more vital
messages to his/her listener with active sentences.

4. The pragmatic analysis of warning in health proverbs, records 5 instances of

declarative sentences and 7 instances of imperative sentences. Declarative
 clauses are often more preferred than imperative ones, simply because the
speaker can carry his/her viewpoints in more comprehensible and less directive
way. With declarative clauses, the speaker can send his/her statement regarding
warning with illustrative details and justifications.

Advice in Arabic Wealth Proverbs

.1‫خير مالك ما نفعك‬

] …………………………… [

Concerning the importance of money and how it plays an essential role in the
life of people, this proverb mentions that good money is what is used in a person's
life in order to earn his basic needs such as housing, health and education and so on
.This saying has been repeatedly used in everyday situations until it began to
appear as a familiar proverb in contexts where advising are needed in terms of
wealth affairs. https://al-maktaba.org/book/12929/1301

On the pragmatic plane, this proverb encourages advises people take advantage of
their money to achieve his life requirements. It expresses the indirect speech act of
advice through the employment of the declarative sentence. For the speaker to
initiate the illocutionary act of advice he should believe that the utterance of this
. proverb consists in something beneficial to the hearer

Structurally , the illocutionary force of advice is implicitly realized through a

simple declarative sentence. This simple sentence is featured by the
.………………
 . 2‫المال في الغربة وطن‬

] Money in the exile is home [

This is a well-known saying leads us to the fact that the requirements of the rich
are easy to achieve anytime , anywhere and under any circumstances . It is said to
mean that people with a lot of money are not affected by alienation (As a metaphor
for the value of money) . Hence, this saying has become a familiar Arabic proverb
uttered in social situations which are related to the wealth affairs.
https://www.hindawi.org/books/75241938/18

Concerning pragmatic description, the speaker who utters this proverb wants to
advise his addressee that ( the richer he is, the more power he has ), and he/she
realizes that the result of performing the action implied in the proverb’s proposition
is beneficial to him/her. Based on the attribute of beneficiality, this proverbs is
realized to indirectly issue the illocutionary act of advice.

Structurally, the speech act of advice is expressed via a simple sentence , to illustrate
how money is important .However, this declarative sentence is highlighted by the
use of two nouns ‫المال‬and ‫وطن‬to show that money makes expatriation like a
homeland.

.3‫من قنع فنع‬

]Whoever is satisfied will be rich [

One of the commandments associated with the subject of contentment and how it
effects positively on people . As a matter of fact, in this proverb there is a
metaphor that a contented person will never feel inferior and therefore will live as
if he has a treasure. It advises people that they should be satisfied with what they
own. This saying is popularly known and repeatedly used as it is based on a
common sense, and it has gradually turned into a very familiar proverb used in our
daily life. https://www.alwajeez.net/dictionary/%D9%85%D9%86-
%D9%82%D9%86%D8%B9-%D9%81%D9%86%D8%B9

On the pragmatic level, this proverb expresses the idea that more we are content
with what we have, the more we become rich. It is often employed to indicate the
speech act of advice indirectly realized through the use of the declarative sentence.
The speaker who enunciates this proverb wants to tell his addressee that when he
satisfied with what he posse, then he will become rich. The addressee should take
.this saying as possessing the illocutionary act of advice since it is beneficial to him

Structurally, the indirect speech act of advice is enunciated via a complex sentence.
This declarative sentence is highlighted by the lexical phrase ‫ من قنع‬an expression
of the benign trait that reflects a person’s conviction in what he owns of money and
how this trait positively affects a person from the financial side. This type of
advice comes in the form of declarative sentence in order to convey an important
message that contentment plays an effective role on one’s wealth .

4- ‫نعم العون على المرؤة المال‬

]……………………… [
In reference to the topic of importance of money , in this proverb , makes it clear
that money is a cornerstone in building the edifice of virility. It advises that
everyone should spend some of his money on those in need in terms of food ,
clothes , and money itself. In this case , raising money, earning it well, spending it
in goodness and generosity, and giving it to people will be a strong foundation in
chivalry . This saying has gained currency and has smoothly become a familiar
proverb made use of in contexts where generosity is required. https://www.al-
jazirah.com/2004/20041212/wo2.htm
Pragmatically, this proverb is addressed to people who are rich and can give
money to the poor. It is often taken to designate the indirect speech act of advice
by means of the declarative sentence . In this way, it indirectly expresses the
illocutionary act of advice, provided that the speaker believes that the issuance of
the words will result in something beneficial to the hearer. Of course, the act will
be deemed felicitous if the hearer takes the speaker’s proverb as initiating the
.illocutionary act of advice

Structurally, the speech act of advice manifested in this proverb is realized by a

simple active declarative sentence. The declarative sentence is featured by the two
nouns ‫ المروءة‬and ‫ المال‬in order to clarify that giving money to those who are in need
is embodies the idea of virility.

. 5‫خير المال ما وجهته وجهه‬

] Those are the best riches which are spent in their proper place[

This saying has a wide range of meanings. In literal terms, it tells every person
that best money which are directed towards the proper side. It instructs people to
manage their money within right and useful ways , such as investing in successful
deals, buy useful things and so on . Generally speaking, this saying teaches people
how to deal with their money . It has been frequently used by people as a familiar
proverb in their community. ( Burckhardt ,1830 : 65 )
From pragmatic perspective, since this proverb supposed wisdom regarding how
people treat with their money , it is essentially used to indirectly realize the
illocutionary act of advice. The speaker who produces this proverb intends to advise
his/her addressee to manage his money by use it in right places .Hence, the
illocutionary act of advice is manipulated through the use of this proverb as
highlighted by the existence of the characteristic of beneficiality.

Structurally, this proverb is an indirect speech act of advice realized through a

simple declarative sentence, initiated to evince a statement concerning money
treating . This declarative sentence is featured by the lexical verb ‫وجهته‬and the
noun ‫خير المال‬which is produced in order to declare that best money which is spent
in appropriate matters .

-6‫ازرع كل يوم تأكل كل يوم‬

] Plant each day and you will eat [

This proverb illustrates the relationship between hard-working and wealth. The
meaning behind this proverb is that if the person continues to work, he will
continue to earn. There is no doubt, there is no dignified life unless there is
continuous work. Obviously, it encourages the idea of working seriously to secure
the requirements of life. http://www.maktabatalfeker.com/upload/2018-05-08-
7006.txt

Pragmatically, this is pertinent to a situation in which a speaker directs the hearer to

do a good wealthy act. The speaker believes that if the hearer continues his work
hardly , this will be very useful . Listener’s obedience to the future act of uttering
these words is declared to be beneficial for him/her. So, this proverb, regarding its
 underlying structure and the attribute of beneficiality, can be said to issue the speech
act of advice.

Structurally, the speech act of advice is articulated via a compound sentence,

consisting of two simple clauses conjoined by the use of the coordinating linker
(and) which is used to give more information about working , i.e. it gives the
consequence of the action in the first clause (i.e. ‫) ازرع كل يوم‬. In other words, the
illocutionary act of advice in this proverb is highlighted by the employment of the
lexical verbs ‫ازرع‬and ‫تأكل‬, as a clarification how the hard working seeks the wealth .

7 .‫بِق نعليك و أبذل قدميك‬

]stay in your shoes and put your feet up [

This proverb implies an advice for people to keep their money. It is traded to save
money and to exert oneself in its preservation. Concerning its wisdom, this proverb
has commonly been recognized as it is grounded in a common sense; and as a
result it has orderly become an informed proverb uttered in our social life.(
Almaidani , 130 )

From pragmatic perspective, since this proverb implies wisdom regarding saving
money , it is generally produced to indirectly present the illocutionary act of
advice. The speaker who issues this proverb intends to advise his/her addressee to
save money in all appropriate ways .Hence, the illocutionary act of advice is
communicated by the use of this proverb as featured by the existence of the
.characteristic of beneficiality

Structurally, the advisory speech act of advice is recognized via a compound

sentence made up of two independent clauses; these two imperative clauses
 intended to advise the listener to keep his money . The illocutionary force of advice
is realized by the use of lexical verbs ‫بِق‬and ‫ ابذل‬, and lexical nouns ‫ نعليك‬and
‫قدميك‬which are used to advise people to do everything to save their money .

8 - ‫التمرُة إلى التمرِة تمٌر‬

] ..………………………… [

This proverb describes that addition of ones leads to plural, and the metaphor of
dates here refers to the abundance of money . The meaning behind this proverb is
that money when it is saved , then it will gradually increased . It contains a
guidance that directs people to keep their money even it is few. Consequently,
following the instruction in this proverb will always yield adequate profit for
people to live comfortably. ( Almaidani, 202 )

From pragmatic perspective, the speaker who enunciates this proverb wants his/her
addressee to keep his money (Even if it was a small amount ) because this act is
beneficial and to the best interest of the latter. Depend on the attribute of
beneficiality, this proverbs is issued to indirectly present the illocutionary act of
advice.

Structurally, the illocutionary force of advice is implicitly realized through

.…………………

-9‫على قدر بساطك مّد رجليك‬

] As far as your rug, stretch out your legs[

This proverb is frequently used in daily conversations because of it contains a

golden advice which is that each one should be within his financial capacity.
Indeed , everyone spends as much as he earn, he will be safe and does not need to
borrow. This proverb has been respected and communicated widely by people as
one of the proverbs related with livelihood management.
https://www.qssas.com/story/2074

Pragmatically, the speaker tells his addressee to undertake only what he has the
money or ability to do and no more. Indirectly, he/ she wants to tell his/her
addressee that obeying the rule underlying this proverb would lead to the latter’s
benefiality. Then, this proverb is taken to issue the indirect illocutionary act of
advice, provided that the speaker believes that will result in something beneficial to
.the hearer
Structurally, the speech act of advice is expressed via a complex sentence
consisting of an declarative clause ( ‫ )على قدر بساطك‬which refers to the limits of
financial ability, and imperative clause used to advice people( ‫)مد رجليك‬. The
illocutionary force of advice is implicitly realized via lexical verb ‫مد‬, and the two
nouns ‫بساطك‬ and ‫ رجليك‬as a metaphor to the amount of spending should be
appropriate with the financial ability .

-10‫أشتري لنفسك و للسوق‬

] Buy for yourself and for the market [
The intent of this proverb is to foresee the future , that is, when people buy
something, they should consider the future, because sometimes it is possible that
they will sell it. For instance , a woman may buy expensive jewelry, preferring it
for its beauty, but when she need to sell it, its price will be lower because of as it is
known that jewelry when sold is not the same as when it is bought. On the other
hand , whoever buys a house and he has estimated its location, future, yield, and
uses for it, then he has bought for himself and for the market, because if it is
 .offered for sale, it comes with its price or double it
/https://www.alukah.net/culture/0/68799

Pragmatically, this proverb advises people to buy things which containing high
financial value even they sell it in any time . It implies knowledge and wisdom
related to everyday life, the speaker who enunciates this proverb wants to tell his
addressee that it is important when he buy anything puts in his mind that it seeks the
same price or double when he needs to buy it .The speech act of advice is expressed
by the use of this proverb as manipulated by the application of the attribute of
beneficiality.

Structurally, the advisory speech act of advice is realized via a compound sentence
made up of two independent clauses; the first is imperative intended to advise the
.……………………listener to

11 -‫ألِق دلوَك في الدالء‬

] ..……………………………… [

The literal meaning of this proverb is that , those in need of water go to the well
and drop their buckets in it then they return each one with what he brought out, and
he waters his animals or his family, and if he enters the bucket and it does not
come out with water, he returns it, and continues until he gets water. The idea
behind this proverb is that all people should look for their livelihood in more than
one place and more than one job . https://www.alukah.net/culture/0/68799

With due consideration to pragmatic analysis, this proverb instructs people to

strive for their livelihood through hard work in more than way . For the speaker to
initiate the illocutionary act of advice, he should believe that the utterance of this
 proverb consists in something beneficial to the hearer . Then, this proverb is
pragmatically employed to express the indirect speech act of advice.

Structurally, the speech act of advice is expressed through the use of a simple
imperative sentence. The illocutionary force of advising is implicitly realized via ‫ألق‬
‫دلوك‬ , which shows the advice anyone to be hard worker . It is also realized
implicitly through the lexical verb ‫ الِق‬and lexical noun ‫ دلوك‬to offer advice that
indirect people to look for their livelihood sources .

-12 ‫الدراهم مراهم‬

] ………………… [

In this proverbial saying, there is a comparison , as the ointments heal wounds and
do not leave the trace , likewise , dirhams ( ancient Arabic coin ) hide defects and
imperfect qualities . This proverb goes on to describe the effect of money on a
person’s value . It is said to illustrate that people with a lot of money have power
and influence and consequently they can get whatever they need . This proverb has
been transferred widely among people as advice to become one of the relatively
used proverbs. https://www.arap-culture.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF
%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%85-
/ %D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%85

Pragmatically, t he speaker who wants to draw his/her addressee’s attention

towards the fact that money is an essential thing in the life, provides him/her
motivation to follow the instruction in the proverb. This instruction brings benefit
to the hearer, then this proverb can be effectively realized to perform the advisory
.illocutionary act of advice
 Structurally, the direct speech act of advice is made up of simple declarative
sentence ,performed to embody money to people (entailing the meaning that money
handle everything). This statement is highlighted by lexical items ‫الدراهم‬and ‫ مراهم‬.

Results

The variety of messages transferred by the application of pragmatic analysis of the

speech act of advice in wealth proverbs can be brief to some resulting points. In
other words, table 3 attends a summary of the analysis of the speech act of advice in
the selected data, concerning on the detailed information of the proverb selected,
types of speech act (direct/ indirect),sentence complexity, voice and sentence mood.

Table (3): Advice in Arabic Wealth Proverbs

Proverb Proverb Type of Complexity Voice Mood

No SA

1. ‫خير مالك ما نفعك‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

2. ‫المال في الغربة وطن‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

3. ‫من قنع فنع‬ Indirect Compound Active Declarative

4. ‫نعم العون على المرؤة المال‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

5. ‫خير المال ما وجهته وجهه‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

6. ‫ازرع كل يوم تأكل كل يوم‬ Indirect Compound Active Imperative

7. ‫بِق نعليك و أبذل قدميك‬ Indirect Compound Active Imperative

8. ‫التمرُة إلى التمرِة تمٌر‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

9. ‫على قدر بساطك مّد رجليك‬ Indirect Simple Active Imperative

10. ‫أشتري لنفسك و للسوق‬ Indirect Compound Active Imperative

11. ‫ألِق دلوَك في الدالء‬ Indirect Simple Active Imperative

12. ‫الدراهم مراهم‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

The table above uncovers that the pragmatic analysis of the speech act of advice
in twelve health proverbs reveals the following:

1. The speech acts of advice is indirectly executed in these proverbs; the

employment of indirect speech acts may connect to the speaker who finds more
freedom to transmit his/her message. Further , the indirectness gives a somehow
more kindly style to the speaker to offer his/her advice.
2. As sentence-complexity is implicated , it is obvious that 8 cases of simple
sentences and 4 cases of compound sentences are documented in the data given.
Simple sentences are utilized when simple ideas are meant to explicit .
Compound sentences are employed when more than one idea is explored .
3. All the speech acts of advice in the instances above are syntactically expressed in
active sentences rather passive ones. Additionally , the utilization of active voice
is frequently prepared in proverbs sayings, since the speaker can give more alive
messages to his/her listener with active sentences.
4. Similar to the pragmatic analysis of advice in health proverbs, 7 cases of
declarative sentences and 5 cases of imperative sentences are also recorded in the
syntactic investigations of the speech act of advice . Declarative clauses are more
expressed than imperative ones, merely because the speaker can display his/her
 opinion in more obvious and less directory manner. With declaratives, the speaker
can give his/her warning containing a certain fact related with the suggestion of
the proverb.

Warning in Arabic Wealth Proverbs

1 .‫البخيل غناه فقر و مطبخه قفر‬

] A miser's wealth is poverty, and his kitchen is deserted[

This proverbial saying is about the stinginess , it warns people against to be stingy
and the dangers associated with it. Stinginess is collecting money and not spending
it on needs under the pretext of fear of future matters. Indeed , it can be considered
as a reprehensible trait that prevents one from giving. Since stinginess is one of the
worst traits that people hate especially the Arabs, this proverb gives a caution to
listeners to avoid it . https://www.youandinfo.com/2021/10/sayings-about-
miser.html

On the pragmatic level, this proverb conveys the message that miserliness is a
serious problem that anyone must avoid it ; this is in effect not beneficial. The
speaker believes that the event (miserliness ) is something unfavorable and it is
his/her responsibility warn the hearer to quit this unpleasant habit because it will
lead to unpleasant result. Thus, the enunciation of this proverb is made to release
.the advisory act of warning

Structurally, the proverbial speech act of warning is indirectly realized by means of

a complex sentence made up of two simple declarative clauses adjoined by the use
of and . These declarative clauses are highlighted by the lexical nouns ,‫ مطبخه‬,‫البخيل‬
 ‫ غناه‬, ‫ فقر‬and ‫ قفر‬to make a comparison between them, and this in turn warn people
against the act of stinginess .

2 .‫من انفق و لم يحسب هلك و لم يدر‬

] Whoever spends and does not count is lost and does not know[

This proverb is one of the popular proverbs for many people and nations which
gives a piece of advice that whoever spends and does not calculate what he spent,
his fate is undoubtedly doom without knowing it . This proverb warns people that
whenever spending exceeds the limits of reason into extravagance without
controls, oversight, or calculation, the consequences will undoubtedly be dire.
https://alqabas.com/article/679571

Pragmatically, this proverb is utilized to instruct his/her listener that spending

without consideration leads to something risky might occur to him so that the latter
must avoid it. The speaker who enunciates this proverb is sure that the future event
is not beneficial to his/her addressee, and thus he/she feels that he is responsible for
warning him/her against this act. Thus, this proverb is initiated to issue the indirect
. speech act of warning

Structurally, the speech act of warning is expressed via a complex sentence

embracing two declarative clauses. The declarative sentence is highlighted by the
use of the lexical verbs‫ هلك‬,‫ لم يحسب‬,‫انفق‬and ‫لم يدر‬which are used to warn people by
presenting the idea that if anyone spend without planning , he will finally lost
everything .

3 -‫َم صارُع الرجاِل تحَت بروِق الطمع‬

] The wrestler of men under the lightning of greed[

In this proverb there is a wisdom that has long been shared by the wise men of the
predecessors and the successors, and it stirred the minds, and reflected the reality.
Greed is a behavior that if it possesses a person, it harms him and eventually leads
him to the abyss. This proverb warns people against greed since it is a despicable
trait and corruptive behavioral disease leads to all kinds of disasters. That's why
anyone must be aware of the domination of greed and its overpowering so as to
. avoid it

http://www.jordanzad.com/print.php?id=88046

On the pragmatic level, because of that greed is the behavior that makes a person
dissatisfied, remains indignant until the end of his life, this proverb comes as a
warning against it. In this sense, the speaker believes that he/she has a satisfactory
reason to notify the hearer about this act as is not beneficial to the addressee, in
addition , he wants that his words count as an act of advisory warning by the hearer.
As a result, this proverb is enunciated to constitute an indirect speech act of
warning.

Structurally, the indirect speech act of warning is enunciated via a simple declarative
sentence used to equalize ‫ مصارع‬to ‫ الطمع‬, through the use of the adverb under. This
declarative sentence is highlighted by the two nouns, ‫مصارع‬and‫الطمع‬, to inform that
greed brings damage .

4 .‫ال مال لبخيل و انما هو لماله‬

] There is no money for a miser, but he is for his money[
This proverb is widely used to tell people to avoid miserliness , as it is often seen
as a harmful act. A miserliness means that a person withholds money from himself
as well as from others , in addition to not disposing of his property or enjoying it.
Hence , this proverb warns people against miserliness as is one of the bad habits
that accompanies some people, making them unacceptable to others.
/https://mqaall.com/best-said-miserliness-miserliness

Pragmatically speaking, through the use of this proverb, the speaker tells the hearer
to avoid this act (miserliness ) since it unacceptable in everyday life. The speaker
wants to direct his addressee not to be stingy, since this act is not beneficial to
him/her. The speaker feels that it is his responsibility to warn the hearer against
something dangerous and harmful. It is obvious that this proverb represents the
speech act of warning and the utilization of the words must perform the illocutionary
act of warning, which imposes the hearer to avoid the risky act.

Structurally, the speech act of warning is utilized through a complex sentence

consisting of two simple declarative clauses conjoined by the contrasting
coordinating conjunction but to show oppositions between two ideas . These
declarative clauses are highlighted by the two nouns ‫ مال‬and ‫ بخيل‬, referring to the
fact that the miser is a prisoner of his money.

5 .‫إن المبذرين كانوا إخوان الشياطين‬

]Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones[

This is Quranic proverb refers to the spending extravagantly when it is not

appropriate. Because the devil calls only to every reprehensible trait, so it
encourages people to extravagance and waste. Basically, it warns that a person
who spends carelessly with his money will lose it lastly. If someone spends all his
wealth on appropriate things, then he is not a spendthrift, but if he spends a little
inappropriately, then he is a spendthrift. http://quranopedia.com/quran/17vs27

Pragmatically, this proverb illustrate that people who spend their money unwisely,
they look like the devil . In other words, the speaker of the proverb believes that the
event ( being spendthrift) is not in the hearer's best interest. Therefore, he wants to
warn his/her addressee against it . The speaker thinks that he has sufficient reason to
advise the addressee to avoid certain act. In this respect, the utilization of this
proverb can be taken to realize the illocutionary act of warning,

Structurally, this proverb is expressed by the use of a simple declarative sentence

which refers to a simple idea that “ don’t be ” . The message contained in this
proverb is highlighted by the two nouns ‫ المبذرين‬and‫ الشياطين‬, to display a warning
that wastefulness brings destruction .

6 .‫السلف تلف‬
] Borrowing is ruin[
This proverb is one of the common folk proverbs in the Arab world, which warns
people against lending money to others because only loss will be gained from it.
However, it can be utilized in financial affairs as a caution, as it suggests that
someone has lend his/her money in one venture then, he is at risk of losing it. This
saying has been widely transferred among people as warning to become one of the
relatively used proverbs.
https://www.albayan.ae/supplements/ramadan/fadfada/2013-07-23-1.1927661

With due consideration to pragmatic analysis, this proverb warns people to avoid
lending or borrowing because both of them seeks to the ruin . The initiator wants to
 tell the hearer not borrow or lend because he will only reap the loss, and his money
will be lost . To be executed feliticiously , the producer of this proverb is sure that
the event of borrowing or lending is not in the hearer's best interest, so he warns
him/her of this unpleasant and unwanted thing. That is, this proverb denotes the
indirect speech act of warning.

Structurally, the speech act of warning is established via a simple declarative

sentence manipulated to warn the hearer against the borrowing as an act that one
must avoid. This declarative sentence is highlighted by the lexical nouns ‫السلف‬and
‫ تلف‬, in order to warn people against the dangers of lending and borrowing .

7 .‫اإلسراف يفني الكثير‬

] Extravagance destroys a lot [
This proverb warns people against a serious consequences of extravagance. It
explains by a simple words that extravagance in money is wasting to the money,
and its consequences are dire, leading to bankruptcy and poverty. Additionally ,
extravagance leads a person to reprehensible actions in order to earn money, such
as: fraud, theft, and corruption in his work in order to obtain money to spend
extravagantly, as he was accustomed to before in his life.
/https://alkafeel.net/sadda/arts/111002#

From a pragmatic perspective , the speaker exhorts the hearer not to be wasteful
because this act can affect him negatively. In this sense, this proverb manipulated
the indirect illocutionary act of warning as it concerns to the fact that it is specified
on the basis that the speaker believes that the event (being wasteful) is not in the
hearer's interest so he/she warns his/her hearer of this unpleasant thing.
 Structurally, this proverb is an indirect speech act of warning realized through a
simple declarative sentence, initiated to warn against wasting of money. This
declarative sentence is featured by the lexical verb ‫ يفني‬and the noun ‫االسراف‬which is
mentioned in order to declare that extravagance leads to losing of money .
.8‫خذ من التل يختل‬
] Take from the hill , and it will break down[
This is a frequent Arabic proverb that people pass down through generations.
Actually, it clarifies that spending money without investing or increasing it
through, for example, making profitable projects, leads to a gradual decrease. This
proverb is ordinarily used as a warning against the act of extravagance in money as
it does not keep something even if it is abundant. The proper time to use this
proverb comes when someone spends his money and he doesn’t have any plans to
spread it . https://www.hindawi.org/books/75241938/6

Pragmatically, this proverb is utilized to fit situations where people are warned to be
careful about their money and avoid spending it without any attempt to increase it
by hard work . The speaker who instructs his/her addressee through this proverb is
actually telling him/her that spending money without work is not advantageous and
even harmful . The speaker uses the speech act of warning as he/she believes that
he/she has sufficient reason to warn him. Therefore, this proverb is taken to
represent the indirect speech act of warning.

Structurally, the speech act of warning is realized via a complex sentence consisting
of an imperative clause used to warn the addressee ( ‫ )خذ من التل‬and declarative clause
used to provide the result ( ‫)يختل‬. These clauses are highlighted by the use of lexical
verbs ‫ خذ‬and ‫ يختل‬to show that spends money carelessly will lead to bankruptcy.
9 .‫الضامن غارم‬
] The guarantor is in debt[
This wise proverb gives an important alarm regarding the topic of cosigning a loan,
or taking on other financial obligations, on behalf of someone else . This proverb is
used to indicate that whoever guarantees financial loans to another one will often
bear the loss instead. This proverb has been communicated widely by people as a
. warning related to the financial affairs

https://lexicon.alsharekh.org/result/%D8%A7%D9%8E
%D9%84%D8%B6%D9%91%D9%8E
%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%90%D9%86%20%D8%BA%D9%8E
%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%90%D9%85

As for the pragmatic description, on its face, this proverb directs people not
guarantee the others. This proverb is initiated to express the illocutionary act of
warning since its literal interpretation relates to the financial guarantee. The speaker
who produces this proverb tells his addressee that guarantying others’ loans might
lead to dangerous consequences. In other words, the addressee is warned to avoid
this action since it is not advantages to him . That is, this proverb denotes the
indirect speech act of warning.

Structurally, the speech act of warning manifested in this proverb is manipulated by

a simple active declarative sentence. The declarative sentence is featured by the two
nouns ‫الضامن‬and ‫غارم‬in order to inform people to avoid the act of guarantying others
financially .

. 10 ‫الطمع ضيع ما جمع‬

] Greed waste what has been gained[
Concerning a negative habits that related with topic of money, greed may be
considered as one of the worst these habits. It is a trait that makes a person not
satisfied about what he has, , and lives in constant anxiety. This proverb informs
the idea that whoever covets everything will not get anything in the end, because
there is no comfort except with contentment. Regarding its wisdom, this saying has
widely been recognized and become a warning proverb observed in our social life.
https://www.alraimedia.com/article/1543836

From pragmatic perspective, this proverb cautions people against greed as a harmful
act and hateful nature as well as it is socially unacceptable . Since this proverb
assumes wisdom, it is essentially used to indirectly present the illocutionary act of
warning . It provided that the speaker believes that the event ( being greedy ) is not
in the hearer’s best interest. Therefore, this proverb is taken to issue the indirect
speech act of warning.

Structurally, the speech act of warning is expressed through a complex sentence

consisting of two simple declarative clauses. These declarative clauses are
highlighted by the lexical noun ‫الطمع‬, and lexical verb ‫ ُجمع‬referring to the fact that a
greed wastes money that has been gained .

. 11‫هين قرشك و ال تهين نفسك‬

] Insult your money and don't insult yourself[
People often repeat this popular proverb in some situations that can end up
spending more money so that they can rest and maintain their dignity, in this case
they find that it is the first thing that comes to their mind and they often follow it.
What is meant by this proverb is to repel insult or fatigue by giving money , it is
still in use, advising people that their time and dignity are worth more than money
.and material possessions

https://www.arabcont.com/magala/details-930-18-3.aspx

In relation to the pragmatic analysis, this proverb is used commonly to warn

people against insulting themselves instead of spending their money . The speaker
wants to tell the hearer that if he can spare himself suffering by spending extra
money, go for it. He believes that he has sufficient reason to warn the hearer since
the future event is not beneficial to the hearer. The proverbial speech act of warning
is thus featured by the attribute of non-beneficiality to the addressee. To sum up ,it
conveys the illocutionary act of warning.
Structurally, this proverb is made up of a compound sentence containing two
imperative clauses, conjoined by conjunction and . The use of imperatives gives the
direction towards accomplishing these two ideas. However, the illocutionary act is
highlighted by the lexical verb ‫ هين‬and the lexical nouns ‫ قرشك‬and ‫ نفسك‬to emphasize
warning.

12 -‫من لم يحترف لم يعتلف‬

[He who does not work , will not eat ]

This proverbial utterance illustrates that profession or craft leads to the wealth and
life insurance. The literal meaning behind this proverb is that whoever did not take
a craft or profession did not acquire what he lives by ; that is, a person does not
earn anything without toil and striving. Indeed, work ensures a decent life for
people and it protects them from poverty and unemployment and its dangers.
Among the disadvantages of unemployment and its dangers to the individual: the
 inability to provide the necessary necessities for living, which leads to hunger,
need and homelessness. https://www.page.tn/char7nas/post/1828

Pragmatically, illustrate that people who do not have a job, they will not be able to
provide for their life needs. In other words, the speaker of the proverb believes that
the event (the unemployment) is not in the hearer's best interest. He feels that he has
sufficient reason to tell the addressee to avoid this unacceptable act. That is, this
proverb denotes the indirect speech act of warning.

Structurally, the speech act of warning is realized via a complex sentence containing
two declarative clauses. The declarative sentence is highlighted by the use of the
lexical verbs‫ يحترف‬, and ‫ يعتلف‬which are used to warn people by affirming the idea
that if they don’t work , as a result they cannot live comfortably .

Results

To offer an obvious picture about the summary of the analysis of the speech act of
warning in the selected data, Table 4 gives detailed information of the proverb
selected, types of speech act (direct/ indirect),sentence complexity (simple,
compound and complex), voice (active/passive) and sentence mood ( declarative and
imperative).

Table (4): Warning in Arabic Wealth Proverbs

Proverb Proverb Type of SA Complexity Voice Mood

No

1. ‫البخيل غناه فقر و مطبخه قفر‬ Indirect Complex Active Declarative

2. ‫من انفق و لم يحسب هلك و لم يدر‬ Indirect Complex Active Declarative

 3. ‫َم صارُع الرجاِل تحَت بروِق الطمع‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

4. ‫ال مال لبخيل و انما هو لماله‬ Indirect Compound Active Declarative

5. ‫إن المبذرين كانوا إخوان الشياطين‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

Indirect Simple Active Declarative

6. ‫السلف تلف‬

7. ‫اإلسراف يفني الكثير‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

8. ‫خذ من التل يختل‬ Indirect Complex Active Imperative

9. ‫الضامن غارم‬ Indirect Simple Active Declarative

10. ‫الطمع ضيع ما جمع‬ Indirect Compound- Active Declarative

complex

11. ‫هين قرشك و ال تهين نفسك‬ Indirect Compound Active Imperative

12. ‫من لم يحترف لم يعتلف‬ Indirect Complex Active Declarative

A glance at the above discloses that the pragmatic analysis of the speech act of
warning in twelve wealth proverbs can guide to the following findings:

1. All the examples introduced detects that the speech act of warning is indirectly
expressed . The utilization of indirectness extends the speaker more freedom to
convey his/her message. Likewise , the direction towards indirectness relates to
the idea that the speaker offers his/her advice more clearly and more politely.
2. For sentence-complexity, as it is obvious that 5 cases of simple and 4 cases of
complex sentences and 2 cases of compound sentences and 1 case of compound
complex sentence are recorded in the examples given. This is due to the fact that
proverbs are often offered in simple ideas rather than complex ones to help people
 understand messages conveyed. Compound sentences are often preferred when
there are two coordinating ideas are implied .
3. All the speech acts of warning in the examples above are expressed in active
sentences rather passive ones. Hence, the use of active is often motivated in such
type of sayings, as with the active sentence, the speaker can give vitality to his/her
intended messages.
4. Lastly, 10 cases of declarative sentences and 2 cases of imperative sentences are
uncovered in the syntactic realizations of the speech act of warning in wealth
proverbs. Declarative clauses tend to be more preferred than imperative ones, as
they help a speaker to convey his/her idea more remarkably and less instructive.
The imitator of the proverb can display more information about wealth with the
utilization of declarative sentences.