University of Isfahan Literary Arts 20088027 17 4 2025 12 22 The Potential of Negation Questions for Affecting the Audience in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam The Potential of Negation Questions for Affecting the Audience in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam 53 72 29517 10.22108/liar.2025.144551.2443 FA Zohre Ahmadipooranari Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran Mousa Ghonchepour Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Mohammadidahaj M.A. Graduated, Department of Language and Literature Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 03 02 The negation question is one of the rhetorical questions that are widely used in language and literature. Poets and writers use it according to the situation to persuade the audience. The application of negation questions in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam is also noteworthy, as the majority of rhetorical questions in this book are of the negation question type. Moreover, negation questions have unique characteristics compared to other rhetorical questions. Given these two points, the present research answers the question of how negation questions are strengthened with expressive and semantic methods to have a greater impact on the audience. This descriptive-analytical research is of a library type. It utilizes the principles of rhetoric, semantics, and logic in some cases. As the evidence extracted from the book of Amsal-o-Hekam shows, negation questions have sufficient power to emphasize the negative sentence, because they are accompanied by expressive possibilities such as allegory, allusion, and theological method. On the other hand, the content of some negation questions in Amsal-o-Hekam includes the premises of the reasoning, especially accepted premises in logic (Maghbulat), testimony (Motavaterat), and generally accepted beliefs (Mashhurat), which is why they have a special persuasive power. Keywords: Secondary Thoughts, Amsal-o-Hekam, Negation Question, Logic. Introduction This study examines one type of rhetorical question (i.e. negation questions) in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam. The purpose of a rhetorical question is not to receive an answer but to convey a point or concept to the audience. In Dehkhoda’s collection, interrogative sentences, especially negation questions, are frequent; out of 729 interrogative sentences in the four-volume set, 256 are used to express negation, accounting for 36% of the rhetorical questions, which is a notably high proportion. The use of negation questions in Amsal-o-Hekam is considerably more frequent than in other literary texts. This high frequency raises two questions: 1) What is the reason for the abundance of negation questions in this work, and 2) What are their characteristics? Previous research shows that recent studies have mostly focused on extracting rhetorical questions from texts and identifying their main meaning, but rhetorical questions have not yet been analyzed specifically in Dehkhoda’s Amsal-o-Hekam. This study differs because it focuses solely on negation questions and employs both rhetoric and logic in its analysis. This dual approach is scientifically grounded because logical discussions are essentially linguistic, with the foundations of logic derived from language. This study answers these two questions using two tools: rhetorical analysis and logical analysis. Of course, the use of both rhetoric and logic is scientifically grounded, as “logical discussions are, in fact, linguistic discussions, and the foundations of logic are extracted from language” (Bateni, 1999, p. 2). This point is demonstrated in the present study. Materials and Methods In terms of purpose, the current study is fundamental, and its method is descriptive-analytical. First, all negation questions were extracted from Dehkhoda’s four-volume Amsal-o-Hekam. Then, among these negation questions, those that, from the perspective of rhetoric, involved allegory, allusion, or theological methods were separated. Finally, the negative rhetorical questions were examined according to authoritative books on logic and the premises of the reasoning. Research Findings The capacities of negation questions to influence the audience were examined in two areas: rhetoric and logic. First, the rhetorical capacities are discussed. In the negation questions found in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam, allegories are frequently observed because a negation question is essentially an interrogative sentence aimed at obtaining the audience’s admission. Considering the factors and reasons embedded in the negation question, the audience agrees to the negation of a certain issue. Allegory, especially those well-known to the audience, serves as a form of evidence because allegory expresses an abstract meaning in a concrete form, thus possessing the power to persuade the audience. Allusion is also one of the rhetorical factors that enhances the effectiveness of the message on the audience, since in each allusion, a claim is made and reference is made to someone or something, providing an emotional and familiar implication for the matter at hand. The third rhetorical factor is the theological method. This has been considered one of the figures of the thought field, defined as “the theological method is that which establishes speech with reason and rational or proof and by citing indisputable accepted principles so firmly that it causes the listener’s assent” (Vahidian Kamyar, 2006, p. 135). Many negation questions are accompanied by the theological method. The logical capacities of negation questions are addressed. It is necessary to mention that in logic, propositions must be declarative, and interrogative sentences, being performative, cannot be evaluated for truth or falsehood. However, negation questions, based on implicative entailment, are declarative sentences because the main meaning of a negation question is a negation proposition. Regarding the capacities of negation questions, allegory is both a rhetorical and logical factor that contributes to their effectiveness. In logic, allegory is defined as “allegory means that the mind transfers a judgment from one object to another due to the existence of a common aspect between them” (Mozafar, 2010, p. 234). In addition, some negation questions are parts of the premises of the reasoning and therefore have a special capacity to influence the audience. The premises of the reasoning are like the materials from which syllogisms are constructed. A study of Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam showed that some negation questions, based on indication per nexum, correspond to some of the fourteen premises of the reasoning, namely accepted premises in logic (Maghbulat), generally accepted beliefs (Mashhurat), testimonies (Motavaterat), or imaginations. Discussion of Results and Conclusions The examination of negation questions in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam shows that these rhetorical negatives are emphasized through various rhetorical devices. Some of these devices include the use of allegory, allusion, and theological methods. In Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam, there are 312 negation questions, of which 191 cases (61%) are accompanied by allegory. Besides allegory, allusion also serves as a form of reasoning and often persuades the audience even more effectively, since it is based on a historical (real or mythical) event. Additionally, many negation questions in Dehkhoda’s Amsal-o-Hekam are reinforced by the theological method. Furthermore, if some negation questions are considered declarative sentences based on indication per nexum, they serve as the premises of the reasoning. The proverbs and maxims cited from religious scholars, philosophers, and reputable poets, as well as commonly accepted proverbs among the people, are regarded as accepted premises in logic. Those conveyed through allusion and agreed upon by historians are considered testimony. Some allegories are regarded as persuasions. Wisdom based on Islamic principles is considered a certainty, and wisdom that is true to all or based on public interest or ethics is regarded as a generally accepted belief (Mashhurat). Therefore, negation questions in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam can persuade the audience because they are reinforced by rhetorical devices and logical premises. The negation question is one of the rhetorical questions that are widely used in language and literature. Poets and writers use it according to the situation to persuade the audience. The application of negation questions in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam is also noteworthy, as the majority of rhetorical questions in this book are of the negation question type. Moreover, negation questions have unique characteristics compared to other rhetorical questions. Given these two points, the present research answers the question of how negation questions are strengthened with expressive and semantic methods to have a greater impact on the audience. This descriptive-analytical research is of a library type. It utilizes the principles of rhetoric, semantics, and logic in some cases. As the evidence extracted from the book of Amsal-o-Hekam shows, negation questions have sufficient power to emphasize the negative sentence, because they are accompanied by expressive possibilities such as allegory, allusion, and theological method. On the other hand, the content of some negation questions in Amsal-o-Hekam includes the premises of the reasoning, especially accepted premises in logic (Maghbulat), testimony (Motavaterat), and generally accepted beliefs (Mashhurat), which is why they have a special persuasive power. Keywords: Secondary Thoughts, Amsal-o-Hekam, Negation Question, Logic. Introduction This study examines one type of rhetorical question (i.e. negation questions) in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam. The purpose of a rhetorical question is not to receive an answer but to convey a point or concept to the audience. In Dehkhoda’s collection, interrogative sentences, especially negation questions, are frequent; out of 729 interrogative sentences in the four-volume set, 256 are used to express negation, accounting for 36% of the rhetorical questions, which is a notably high proportion. The use of negation questions in Amsal-o-Hekam is considerably more frequent than in other literary texts. This high frequency raises two questions: 1) What is the reason for the abundance of negation questions in this work, and 2) What are their characteristics? Previous research shows that recent studies have mostly focused on extracting rhetorical questions from texts and identifying their main meaning, but rhetorical questions have not yet been analyzed specifically in Dehkhoda’s Amsal-o-Hekam. This study differs because it focuses solely on negation questions and employs both rhetoric and logic in its analysis. This dual approach is scientifically grounded because logical discussions are essentially linguistic, with the foundations of logic derived from language. This study answers these two questions using two tools: rhetorical analysis and logical analysis. Of course, the use of both rhetoric and logic is scientifically grounded, as “logical discussions are, in fact, linguistic discussions, and the foundations of logic are extracted from language” (Bateni, 1999, p. 2). This point is demonstrated in the present study. Materials and Methods In terms of purpose, the current study is fundamental, and its method is descriptive-analytical. First, all negation questions were extracted from Dehkhoda’s four-volume Amsal-o-Hekam. Then, among these negation questions, those that, from the perspective of rhetoric, involved allegory, allusion, or theological methods were separated. Finally, the negative rhetorical questions were examined according to authoritative books on logic and the premises of the reasoning. Research Findings The capacities of negation questions to influence the audience were examined in two areas: rhetoric and logic. First, the rhetorical capacities are discussed. In the negation questions found in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam, allegories are frequently observed because a negation question is essentially an interrogative sentence aimed at obtaining the audience’s admission. Considering the factors and reasons embedded in the negation question, the audience agrees to the negation of a certain issue. Allegory, especially those well-known to the audience, serves as a form of evidence because allegory expresses an abstract meaning in a concrete form, thus possessing the power to persuade the audience. Allusion is also one of the rhetorical factors that enhances the effectiveness of the message on the audience, since in each allusion, a claim is made and reference is made to someone or something, providing an emotional and familiar implication for the matter at hand. The third rhetorical factor is the theological method. This has been considered one of the figures of the thought field, defined as “the theological method is that which establishes speech with reason and rational or proof and by citing indisputable accepted principles so firmly that it causes the listener’s assent” (Vahidian Kamyar, 2006, p. 135). Many negation questions are accompanied by the theological method. The logical capacities of negation questions are addressed. It is necessary to mention that in logic, propositions must be declarative, and interrogative sentences, being performative, cannot be evaluated for truth or falsehood. However, negation questions, based on implicative entailment, are declarative sentences because the main meaning of a negation question is a negation proposition. Regarding the capacities of negation questions, allegory is both a rhetorical and logical factor that contributes to their effectiveness. In logic, allegory is defined as “allegory means that the mind transfers a judgment from one object to another due to the existence of a common aspect between them” (Mozafar, 2010, p. 234). In addition, some negation questions are parts of the premises of the reasoning and therefore have a special capacity to influence the audience. The premises of the reasoning are like the materials from which syllogisms are constructed. A study of Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam showed that some negation questions, based on indication per nexum, correspond to some of the fourteen premises of the reasoning, namely accepted premises in logic (Maghbulat), generally accepted beliefs (Mashhurat), testimonies (Motavaterat), or imaginations. Discussion of Results and Conclusions The examination of negation questions in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam shows that these rhetorical negatives are emphasized through various rhetorical devices. Some of these devices include the use of allegory, allusion, and theological methods. In Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam, there are 312 negation questions, of which 191 cases (61%) are accompanied by allegory. Besides allegory, allusion also serves as a form of reasoning and often persuades the audience even more effectively, since it is based on a historical (real or mythical) event. Additionally, many negation questions in Dehkhoda’s Amsal-o-Hekam are reinforced by the theological method. Furthermore, if some negation questions are considered declarative sentences based on indication per nexum, they serve as the premises of the reasoning. The proverbs and maxims cited from religious scholars, philosophers, and reputable poets, as well as commonly accepted proverbs among the people, are regarded as accepted premises in logic. Those conveyed through allusion and agreed upon by historians are considered testimony. Some allegories are regarded as persuasions. Wisdom based on Islamic principles is considered a certainty, and wisdom that is true to all or based on public interest or ethics is regarded as a generally accepted belief (Mashhurat). Therefore, negation questions in Dehkhoda's Amsal-o-Hekam can persuade the audience because they are reinforced by rhetorical devices and logical premises.

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