Research Paper

Formulaic Complimenting Expressions

The difference between the complimenting behavior of men and women can also be seen through the lexical items and expressions used. The first think that is clearly noticeable is the difference between men and women in the use of some adjectives that are used to express admiration and approval. Adjectives such as / dzala/, / dzal/, /fniwna/, and /katftan/ (all of them mean nice) are exclusively used by women in our society and avoided by men though they are most of the time addressed to them. Men, on their part, are observed to use adjectives such as /zwina/, /zina/, and /mzjana/ (all of them also mean nice) in a wide range of situations. These adjectives are also used by women but, in general, the first ones are much more preferred by them. It is important here to note that the analysis of the data we have, reveals that by far the most frequent type of compliment belonged to the adjectival category.
Examples:

*/zatk ozala/... It is really nice
/ziti chahwa mannak/... You look great
/had lqmis zak ozal/... It is really nice
/zat m?ak fniwna/... It really fits you

Another aspect of complimenting behavior as it relates to sex has to do with the formulaic expressions used. It is clear from the sample of compliments analyzed in this study that there is a number of expressions which are exclusively used by women. These expressions are recognized by both sexes in our society to be associated with the speech of women. Such expressions include.

/tat ban chahwa mannak/... you look great
/watatk had llabsa/... It really fits you
/zat m?ak ozala/... It is really nice
/tat ban kilfarhat wassa?dat/... you look like joy and happiness
/walliti kissa?dat/... you look like happiness
/lahla jqta? lik jddin/... may God save your hands (said as a compliment on ability, especially cooking)

Compliments + formulas:

One of the most fascinating aspects of Marrakeshi compliments is their combination of expressions of complimenting and some polite formulas. These formulas are regularly combined with compliments especially by old women and they generally reflect the cultural and religious dimensions of the Moroccan society. The formulas include:

/tqat?i wtzaddi/
/talbs wt?awwad/
/tqatta? bssaha warraha/... wear it out with health and safety
/talbs btul umrak/
(all these formulas are used after compliments on apparel)

There are also other polite formulas which can be used either after expressions of approval/admiration or used separately and in this way they may stand as compliments by themselves. Such formulas include:

/sla nbi lik/ used as or after compliments on apparel or ability
/bssaa wrraa/ with health and rest
/llaj jdaxxalha bzajd rzak/ said as or after compliments on possession
/llaj jddaxxalha lik mbarka msuda/ may God make it blessed and fortunate for you.(said as or after compliments on possession)
/lahla jxattik lina/ may God preserve you for us
/llaj jatik ssaa/ may God give you health
/tbark llah lik/ may God bless you (the last three formulas can be used as or after compliments on ability)

It is interesting to note here that these compliments (compliment + formula) are most of the time used by old people especially women; whereas young people both males and females- tend often to use short expressions or formulas such as /gat mak/ or /bsshhaa/.

*The symbols used in transcribing Moroccan Arabic have the values they are assigned in the International Phonetic Alphabet. Arabic Formulas are followed by a literal translation and, where necessary, an indication of the situations where they are typically used.

A research paper submitted to the department of English of Cadi Ayyad University
in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Licence-es-Letters in English
Year : 1998 - 1999 / Major : Linguistics / Seminar Title :Pragmatics
Supervisor : Dr. GAJJOUT Hassan