Abstract
The present study examined the genre of Iraqi wedding invitation cards (WICs) in terms of its textual and visual components, and the impact of the social norms and assumptions on the articulation of these components. Drawing upon three analytic tools, namely, genre analysis proposed by Swales (1990) and Bhatia (2004), semiotic analysis suggested by Kress and Van Leeuwen (2001), and critical discourse analysis advocated by Fairclough (2010), a sample of 250 WICs was selected to be considered for analysis. Corpus analysis showed that Iraqi WICs varied in terms of their non-linguistic features like printed forms, colors, layouts, calligraphy, graphics, and paper materials. On the other hand, the underlying schematic organization of Iraqi WICs was built around seven component moves. Furthermore, Islamic religious beliefs and Iraqi socio-cultural system were clearly encoded in these wedding invitation texts affecting their organization structure.
Highlights
Invitation is “a commemorative social action having the function of informing and requesting the presence or participation of a person(s) kindly and courteously to some place, gathering, entertainment, etc., or to do something” (Al-Ali 2006: 961)
Iraqi wedding invitation cards (WICs) vary in terms of their printed forms, colors, layouts, calligraphy, graphics, and paper materials
It examined how Iraqi sociocultural practices and religious beliefs are embedded in the textual and visual organization of the discourse of wedding invitations, and to understand how and why these texts were articulated in such a ritualistic artifact
Summary
Invitation is “a commemorative social action having the function of informing and requesting the presence or participation of a person(s) kindly and courteously to some place, gathering, entertainment, etc., or to do something” (Al-Ali 2006: 961). The genre of wedding invitation cards belongs to a text typology commonly known as ‘homely discourses’ along with other ceremonial texts like birth announcements, thank-you notes and death notices (Miller 1984). Such kind of printed invitation cards shares common generic patterns and properties, and communicates many socio-cultural conventions and practices of the speech community wherein these texts are written. A wedding invitation text is the first public manifestation of a young couple’s co-constructed matrimonial discourse and marks the beginning of their marriage, as one of their ‘rites of passage’ (Leeds-Hurwitz 2002) It is typically a formal written letter requesting the attendance and participation of guests in a wedding ceremony, and generally sent to relatives, friends, and neighbors before the marriage ceremony. It typically contains information about the names of the host and the newly-wed couples, and the arrangements of the wedding ceremony
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
