مطالب

Semantics, a branch of linguistics, utilizes the relational network between the linguistic form and its meaning to achieve a more precise understanding of Quranic vocabulary and propositions. One common method is the conceptual collocation between words.  "Amn" (security) and "Kufr" (disbelief) are central words in the Quran, whose semantic fields include key words such as Islam, affirmation, gratitude, and denial. The present study aims to uncover the meanings of "Amn" and "Kufr" using the concept of collocation. The research method is descriptive-analytical, based on library resources. The objective is to deepen the understanding of the life-giving concepts of the Quran to achieve divine guidance. To achieve this, relevant verses were extracted, and Saussure's theory of collocation in linguistics was employed. Finally, based on the primary meanings of the words and their neighboring words, concepts are presented.  Reflecting on the semantics of Quranic vocabulary and carefully examining the collocation network between them provides a more precise understanding of the verses.  Simultaneously examining "Kufr" and "Amn," and the network of meanings associated with them, reveals the various semantic levels of these words, leading to a better understanding of the verses. Some of the research findings are as follows: The primary meaning of "Amn" is tranquility, and its other meanings in collocation include prepositional collocations (prepositions "Bāʼ" and "Lām"), nominal collocations (the word "Mushrikūn" - polytheists), adjectival collocations ("al-Muʼmin" - the believer, "Wa Huwa Muʼmin" - and he is a believer, "Ṣādiq" - truthful), and verbal collocations ("Shakartum" - you gave thanks, "Kafarū" - they disbelieved, "ʻAmilū al-Ṣāliḥāt" - they did righteous deeds, "Taʼmurūna bil Maʻrūf wa Tanhawna ʻan al-Munkar" - you command good and forbid bad). The primary meaning of "Kufr" is concealment, and its other meanings in collocation include nominal collocations ("al-Fāsiqūn" - the wicked), adjectival collocations ("Yaʼūs" - despair), and verbal collocations ("Lā Yuʼminūn" - they do not believe, "Mā ʻArafū" - they did not know, "Ushkurū" - give thanks, "Aṣliḥ" - correct, "Ashraktumūn" - you associated partners with God, "Kadhdhabū" - they denied)

Pragmatic competence plays a crucial role in effective communication in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) contexts, yet it is often overlooked in instructional materials. This study investigates the representation and distribution of speech acts in the Speak Out English textbook series (second edition), a widely used resource in EFL classrooms. Drawing on Searle’s (1976) taxonomy, the dialogues from the Starter to Advanced levels were analyzed to assess the frequency and types of speech acts. The results revealed a significant predominance of Assertives (41.7%) and Directives (33.7%), with lower occurrences of Commissives (13.2%), Expressives (10.2%), and a minimal presence of Declaratives (1.1%). This imbalance indicates a limited pragmatic range, which may hinder learners’ communicative competence, especially in formal or professional contexts. The findings suggest that while the series supports functional communication, it falls short in fostering comprehensive pragmatic development. The study highlights the need for more balanced and contextually rich representation of speech acts in EFL textbooks. Implications for teachers, curriculum designers, and textbook developers are discussed, including the importance of integrating meta-pragmatic instruction and culturally relevant examples. This paper contributes to the growing body of research on pragmatic competence and underscores the importance of equipping EFL learners with the skills to engage in diverse communicative situations.