A Pragmatic Study of Multiple Meanings of Some Nouns in Jordanian Arabic

Abstract

This study investigates the multiple meanings of some nouns in Jordanian Arabic (JA). The study focuses on the multiple meanings of these nouns as acquired recently, and the context of their use. The sample of the study consists of thirty-eight nouns commonly used in everyday conversations in Al-Mafraq City, Jordan. The findings provide information about the spread of multiple meanings of nouns in JA. The meanings of nouns are divided into two types: dictionary meaning and other possible meanings, which are of four categories, namely opposite meaning, polysemy, sarcasm, and metaphor. The findings of the study show that multiple meanings of nouns are widespread in JA, and Jordanians use these meanings frequently in daily life conversations, thereby illustrating once again the flexibility of human language and its ability to become adapted to new situations.

Keywords: Jordanian Arabic; None, Multiple meaning, Al-Mafraq city.