Religious Ideology and Discourse: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Marsiya-e-Hussain

Abstract

This paper employs Fairclough’s framework of critical discourse analysis (Fairclough, 2001; 2003) as a research tool to demonstrate how mourning discourse of marsiya manages to win favourite responses from Pakistani audiences by foregrounding certain linguistic conventions. The data comprising popular marsiyas are based on responses obtained through a small-scale survey and are analyzed from the perspective of ideology and emotive appeal embedded in discourse. The analysis illustrates that discourse conventions of marsiya—in addition to traditional commemoration of martyrdom of Imam Hussian—serve to elaborate, explain and disseminate religious doctrines in Pakistani Shi‘ah masses.