Pygmalion (Tawfiq al-Hakim) A Discourse Reading

This research aims to study theatrical discourse through the theory of speech acts, applying it to a prominent theatrical work that is a hallmark of intellectual theater by the renowned writer Tawfiq Al-Hakim, namely the play Pygmalion, inspired by the famous Greek myth. The central endeavor of pragmatics is the study of language within its practical communicative context, and theatrical discourse, in its adherence to the conventions of linguistic and social norms, represents a simulation of language in its practical usage between sender and receiver. Given that this theatrical work relies heavily on dialogue and does away with other theatrical mediums, and since it replaces the stage with imagery formed in the mind, our focus is directed towards analyzing the dialogue by identifying both direct and indirect speech acts. These will then be classified according to Austin’s categorization into representatives, directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations. This will be done using a descriptive-analytical approach, aiming to achieve a different critical reading capable of revealing the meanings and intentions of the text.