Contrastive Linguistics

Research Project Entitled

Expressions of
Condolence
In Algerian Arabic:
With Reference to
English

Prepared by: Moulay Omar Hidaya Dr. Hussein Obeidat

(2014300062)

2015/2016
 Abstract

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the expressions used to

express commiseration and condolence by speakers of Algerian Arabic in

contrast with the ones used by English speakers. Data were collected

from Facebook. Moreover the researcher is a native speaker of Algerian

Arabic so she used her knowledge for extra data. English and Darja

condolences were analyzed and contrasted in terms of word choice and

structure, and the use of emotive language. The study found that people's

perception of death and life is shaped by their cultural-religious beliefs

and reflected in the commiseration expressions they use. Furthermore,

Algerians avoid using emotive language and expressing their feelings

directly to console, unlike English speakers who often use self-referring

expressions like "I am sorry for your loss" and "I was shocked".

Keywords: condolence, commiseration, consolation,

speech acts.
Table of Content

Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction….................................................................................1

I. Literature Review.................................................................................2

1) Speech Acts........................................................................................2

2) The Speech Act of Condolence..........................................................2

3) Algerian Arabic...................................................................................3

II. Methodology............................................................................................4

III. Condoling Expressions in Algerian Arabic...................................4

IV. Data Analysis....................................................................................5

V. Discussion and Results..........................................................................10

Conclusion.........................................................................................11

References..........................................................................................12
 Page 1 of 12

Introduction
The dilemma of life and death had always been the focus of human

contemplation; they are puzzled about the purpose of life, the reason of their

creation and their destination after death. No one can tell if he/she will be

living tomorrow, only god knows that. This sudden occurrence of death in

addition to its mysterious nature had made it a source of fear and panic, and

subject to many speculations.

Since language is the only expressive means to rephrase the abstract feelings

of sympathy and sorrow at occasions of death and funerals, People try to

console and comfort the bereaved ones through it, by using various strategies

and expressions. This research tried to investigate the expressions used by

speakers of Algerian Arabic contrasted with the expressions used by English

speakers. The study also tried to account for the religious and cultural

differences in terms of death definition and perception.

 I. Literature Review

1) Speech Acts

Yule (1996) argued that saying the right word to the right person in the right time

is a great social accomplishment. Johnston (2008) further claimed that "knowing a

language means not just knowing its grammar and vocabulary, but also knowing how to

structure paragraphs and arguments and participate in conversations the way the

speakers of the languages do". This implies that studying language for its own sake, far

from the society it is spoken in, is needless.

Speech acts, as one aspect of language which is purely society/culture dependent,

are defined as "speech functions that are realized by words"(Yule, 1996). These acts

include apologies, complements, requests, promises, invitations and condolences.

The speech act performed, correspond to an attitude expressed, for instance, an apology

expresses regret, and a request expresses desire or a need, while a condolence expresses

sympathy. The act is felicitous only and only if the audience could identify the intention,

or the attitude behind this certain act.

J. L. Austin classified them into behavitive (condolence and thanking), expositive

(resign or fire), commissive (promise or vow), excercitive (swear, suggest, and permit).

Searle, On the other hand, divided them to assertive, commissive, expressive and

declarative.

2) The speech act of Condolence

Like other speech acts, condolence is culturally determined. It is defined as a

speech act used to express empathy and sorrow after someone's death. Searle categorize
 it under the expressive Acts. Olshtain and Cohen (1983) assumed that condoling is used

to accomplish different functions: 1) Acknowledgment of death: "Oh no!" 2)

Expressing sympathy: "I am participating in your sorrow". 3) Offering assistance:

"we're here for you", 4) Expressions of concern: "you must care for yourself" and

5) Future-Oriented remarks:"try not to get depressed".

Few studies were conducted regarding the topic of condolence in the Arabic dialects.

Yahia (2010) investigated Iraqi expressions of condolence. He found that condoling

strategies and expressions were affected by culture, gender, context, age and education,

but they were mainly shaped by religion. As well as Murad (2013) who studied

condoling expressions used by Arabs living in Palestine directed to native speakers of

Hebrew. The study's findings showed that, on the bereavement of a Hebrew native

speaker, Arabs used translated expressions from Arabic. Another cross cultural study on

condolence responses in Persian and English done by Reza and Mostafa (2013) found

that eastern societies tend to emphasize collectivism and traditions, while in Western

cultures, people have a tendency towards secularism and individualism. I.e. westerners

give less importance to the social norms and preferences.

3) Algerian Arabic

Algerian Arabic (Daarja or Dziria) is one of the most complex dialects of Arabic,

because "Algeria was a place of invasion and a crossroad of civilizations that made the

linguistic plurality reign among its speakers since the Antiquity "(Chami, 2009). It

belongs to the Maghrebi Arabic language continuum and is mutually intelligible

with Tunisian and Moroccan"(Wikipedia). It is influenced by French, Tamazight, Turkish,

Spanish and Italian, which makes it less similar to Modern Standard Arabic and other

dialects of the Levant. Some examples are presented in the following table (Saadan &

Habash, 2014):

Words Translation transliteration Origin

‫شاغم‬ Moustache ʃlaGem Berber
‫تقاشير‬ Socks tqaʃir Turkish
¾‫فيشط‬ Party fi:ʃta Italian
¾‫سبردين‬ Snickers Sbardina Spanish
‫يلو‬ä‫س‬ Pen Sti:lu French

II. Methodology

This study is an investigation of the condoling expressions used by Algerian

Arabic speakers, contrasted with the ones used by English speakers in terms of word

choice and order, and the use of emotive language.

Data were extracted from Facebook (comments on an update of a profile picture

indicating the state of mourning). The study adopts a descriptive methodology;

condolence expressions from "Darjaa" were categorized, presented with their gloss and

translated into English. The researcher adopted olshtain & Cohen (1983) and Murad

(2013) models of categorization with some modifications.

III. Condoling Expressions in Algerian Arabic

During funerals, women keep company to the family of the deceased, while men

carry the coffin to the mosque where the Imam holds the funeral prayer. Then, the burial

takes place. Visitors are not expected to wear dark clothing, because their physical

presence comforts the family of the deceased (Brighet Assous, 2013). People attending
the funeral ceremony console the family members and recite the wholly Quran. The way

Algerians offer condolences to the family of the diseased depends on the intimacy

between them; if they are very intimate, hugs and tears can be enough to console.

Whereas, when they do not know the bereaved, faking a sad face with some condoling

expressions can do. Nowadays, due to the obsessive use of Facebook and other social

media, these expressions are often found there.

IV. Data analysis

Commiseration expressions in the Algerian dialect can be classified into:

1. Prayers for the dead person: in Arabic it is called /ed-du:1a1u-lil-majit/,

which is asking for Allah's forgiveness, mercy and paradise to the deceased (seeking

absolution from Allah).

a. Allah ja -rҺm -u
S (GOD) pres/masculine sing clitic -V (to have mercy) -masculine object clitic (him)
 May Allah (God) have mercy on him.

b. Allah ja -Gfr -lou

S (GOD) pres/masculine sing clitic V (to forgive) -dative
 May Allah (God) forgive him.

c. Allah j- wassa1 1lih

S (GOD) pres/masculine sing clitic to widen dative
 May Allah widen his grave

d. 1) Allahumma J1al-hu min ahl l-ʒanna

O Allah make-object (him) among people def-paradise
 O Allah make him among people of paradise
2) Allahumma dʒ1al maƟwa-h l-ʒanna
O Allah make resting place-gen def-paradise
 O Allah let him rest in paradise
 English speakers as well as "Darja" speakers pray for the deceased person using

expressions like; "May God be with his soul", or "may she sleep/rest in peace".

These expressions used, however, reflect their religious beliefs which are different from

that of Muslims. They pray for peace, rest and blessing for the deceased, since they

conceive the period of after death as a state of soul sleep. On the other hand, Algerians

as Muslims pray for Allah's absolution and paradise, since they believe that there is a

judgment day, in which those whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds will enter into

paradise. Others will be consigned to hell.

2. Prayers for the family of the dead: asking Allah to give them patience and bless
them.
a. Rabb-i ja- 1Ṭi e-ṣbar l-waldi-h
God-gen pres/masc/sing/clitic give def-patience to-parents-his
 May god make his parents strong.

b. Allah j- baddəl mҺabtu: b-essbar

Allah pres/masculine sing clitic- to change his love with-patience
 May god give you patience instead of the amount of love you gave to him

c. xəll -a l-kum l-baraka

rd
To leave -3 per- sing- masc to-you (Pl) blessing
 He left you blessings for long life

On the other hand, English speakers use expressions like: "My prayers and thoughts

to family". "Praying for the family", "Prayers to you", "May God bless his/her

family" and "heartfelt condolences and prayers".

3. Acknowledgment of death: like other Muslims, they believe that death is everyone's

right, ‫ ْر ´ج‬i˚‫´ ْو ÷¸ ث˚ ”م إ¸ل´ ْين´ا ت‬a ‫" ا ْل‬Every soul shall have a taste of death in the

end to Us shall ye be brought back"(the holy quran,29:57)

a. Ku:l ennas tmu:t

All people to die with 3rd pers fem singular
 All people die

b. hadik Ṭrig-na / e-ṬṬrig

that way-our / the-way
 that's our path in life(we are all going to die)

English speakers on the other hand, use expressions like "Oh, my God", this

interjection stand for "I wouldn't have expected that"

4. religious expressions: are verses from "the holy Quran" or "al ҺadiƟ" (various

reports describing the words, actions, or habits of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad peace

be upon him)

a. inna li-llah wa inna ilayhi raji1u:n

 We belong to Allah and to him we shall return
b. 1aḍḍama llahu aʒrakum
 May Allah reward you well
c. El -baqa wa e-ddawam li-llah
 Only God is Immortal

5. Expressions of sympathy: agreeing in the feeling of sadness and sorrow with the

family of the deceased in order to express your commiseration (fellow sorrow).

 1za -na waҺed

Sorrow -our one
 Our sorrow is one
 English speakers use "My deepest sympathy on her loss", "I'm so sorry for your

loss", "I'm sorry to hear about him passing". While an Arabic speaker, would not say

sorry in this situation, since it is Allah's will and they cannot do anything to prevent

death from happening. Instead, they offer a fellow feeling to comfort the family of the

dead.

6. Offering assistance: in English there are expressions like "how can I help?",

"what can I do for you?" or "I'm here for you", while in the Algerian society, as well

as other Arab countries, these occasions show great deal of solidarity; it is unaccepted to

ask what can you do to help, because one can help with the least things. Usually the

family of the deceased is busy being sorrowful and sad, while others are preparing for

the funeral ceremony.

7. Expressions of surprise: death is beyond humans' cognitions and expectations,

occurring due to a divine drive. It is often surprising, and sometimes shocking. Algerians

respond to the news about someone dying by saying in a high tone (mɛt!) or (mɛtət!)

which mean "he died!" and "she died!" respectively. They also use (Allahu Akbar!)

"Allah is the greatest" and (la ḥawla wa la quwwata illa billah)"There is no might nor

power except in Allah", and (makanʃ mnha!) which means "impossible". While, an

English speaker would use "The news hit me hard" or "so sad, we were shocked"

8. Related questions: Muslims believe in "fate and destiny" and the fact that death

is inevitable and unavoidable. Yet, due to the sudden circumstance of this unfortunate

event, they often ask why "1lah mat?" and how did it occur "kif mat?" People usually
respond by (l1aʒal or l1mor wfa) which both refer to the death point designated by

Allah to each person at their moment of birth.

On the other hand, English speakers use the question "what happened? ","how did this

happen?

9. Restating the virtues of the deceased: people, usually after losing someone dear,

start restating his/her virtues and good deeds in order not to forget about them by using

expressions like: "he was always there when I needed help" , "he was an

extraordinary man" and "he always had a smile that brightens my day".

Furthermore, to keep the belief that good people in life will be honored in the hereafter

which will grant them patience.

 Algerians use expressions like:

a. kan nas mlaҺ, krim w sabbar
was (-3rd per- sing- masc) people good(pl) generous and patient

 he was a good person, generous and patient

b. kan mraḍi waldi -h
was (-3rd per- sing- masc) obedient parents -his
 he obeyed his parents (treated his parents with all goodness and mercy)
c. kan bnadəm mabrok
was (-3rd per- sing- masc) person blessed
 he was a blessed person
d. mat 3la e-ʃhada
died (-3rd per- sing- masc) on the-testimony of faith
 he died faithful
e. mat b-lʒam1a
died (-3rd per- sing- masc) on- Friday
 he died on Friday (Anyone dies on Friday or on Thursday night, Allah will save
them from the trial of the grave)
V. Discussion and Results

Expressing condolence in English and Algerian Arabic can be done in different

ways, most of them are mentioned above. These expressions reflect the cultural,

religious background of their speakers. Those native speakers of English as being

Christians or Jews or Atheists conceive death as an eternal soul sleep or dissociation

between soul and body. While Muslims consider death as a transition period between

"ed-dunya" worldly life (a trial life) and "el-1axira" afterlife (the real life) when people

will be judged for their good and bad deeds and will be sent to paradise or hell

respectively.

Darja condoling expressions are characterized by the excessive use of the words:

"Allah" (God), "eraҺma" (mercy), "essbar" (patience), "lʒanna" (paradise),

"lmaGfira"(forgiveness) "Baraka"(blessing) which are Islamic concepts. The word

"Allah" usually occur in the beginning of praying expressions to emphasize that Allah is

the only "Qader"(capable) to accept invocations and make them happen. Moreover, it is

perhaps the only emotive word used because it generates a feeling of acceptance and

giving up to the almighty power of Allah and his will. In other words, people use the

word Allah in order to reduce the amount of grief and sorrow of the bereaved.

On the other hand, English speakers use emotive words that express sadness, shock and

grief. They also use the word "God" (less often), and the expressions "my condolences",

"my prayers"," my sympathy" and "I'm sorry". This shows that they are more

individualistic and self-referred then Arabic speakers in general.

Conclusion
People usually offer condolences to the bereaved ones in order to

show their support and solidarity. These expressions are shaped by culture

and more precisely by religion. Algerians for instance, console using

verses from "Quran" and "ҺadiƟ", unlike English speakers whose language

is less affected by religion. Moreover, like other Muslim societies,

Algerians give great importance to their social relations, they work hard to

maintain them trough standing next to each other in happiness as well as

sorrow. Furthermore, expressions of condolence shed light on people's

perception of 'life' and 'death' and the concept of 'afterlife'.

References
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