DSPRAIS: Affirmed Dispraise

    From The Encyclopedia of Arabic Rhetoric

    تأكيد الذم بما يُشبه المدح
    DSPRAIS: Affirmed Dispraise
    CategoryLinguistic Embellishments
    (ʿilm al-badīʿ)
    SubcategoryPersuasive Tricks
    Built upon10 sources
      
    Annotation Unit
    ARDT CodeDSPRAIS
    Level1 (Rhetorical device)
       ↳ Has 2 subtypes
      
    Included in Taxonomy
    ARDTv0.1.1
    v0.1.0
      
    External Identifiers
    BALAGHAScoreCE-18
    BalaghaBaseQ114
    OpenAlexW4415405322
      
    Cite this page
    🔗 Live DOI10.64393/balagha.Q114
     
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    Definition

    Affirmed Dispraise (tawkīd al-dhamm bi-mā yushbihu al-madḥ) is an Arabic rhetorical device in which dispraise of a subject is reinforced through an exception construction (istiṯnāʾ) in which what appears to qualify the criticism instead introduces a further blameworthy quality, thereby intensifying the criticism.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

    Background Information

    The Arabic name taʾkīd al-dhamm bi-mā yushbihu al-madḥ means "reinforcing dispraise through something resembling praise". The expression bi-mā yushbihu al-madḥ ("through something resembling praise") refers to the apparent promise of a praiseworthy or redeeming quality created by the exception construction. Instead of introducing praise, however, the exception introduces another blameworthy quality, thereby reinforcing the original dispraise. The resemblance to praise lies in the expectation created by the construction, not in the actual meaning of the excepted attribute.[3][7][8]

    Linguistic Operations

    • A subject is either stripped of a praiseworthy quality, or directly attributed a blameworthy one.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
    • An exception particle (illā, or equivalently ghayra / sawā) follows.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
    • The listener, recognising the exception construction, expects what follows to be a redeeming or mitigating quality.[3][4][5][6]
    • Instead, the excepted element is itself a blameworthy quality, compounding rather than relieving the dispraise.[2][3][4][5][6]

    The two structural forms differ in how they reinforce dispraise:

    • Type 1 (negated praise): Dispraise is reinforced from two angles (min wajhayn): the negation of a praiseworthy quality itself constitutes dispraise, which is then reinforced by the attribution of a blameworthy quality through the exception.[3][8][1][6]
    • Type 2 (affirmed dispraise): Dispraise is reinforced from one angle (min wajh wāḥid): an explicitly stated blameworthy quality is reinforced by another blameworthy quality introduced through the exception.[3][8][1][6]

    Recognition

    Affirmed Dispraise may be present when:

    • A subject is explicitly criticised, or a praiseworthy quality is negated from the subject.[2][3]
    • An explicit exception construction (such as illā, ghayra, or sawā) is present.[2][4]
    • The excepted element does not mitigate the criticism or redeem the subject, but instead introduces a further blameworthy quality.[2][3][4]

    Communicative Enhancements

    ʿAbd al-Ghani (2011) lists the following rhetorical effects for this device and its converse:[10]

    • Alerting the addressee (tanbīh al-mukhāṭab).[10]
    • Awakening the intellect (īqāẓ al-dhihn).[10]
    • Engaging the mind (iʿmāl al-ʿaql).[10]
    • Conveying meaning in an attractive way (irsāl al-maʿnā bi-ṭarīqa jadhdhāba).[10]
    • Introducing pleasure into the soul (tudkhil al-surūr fī al-nafs).[10]
    • Dispelling tedium (tadfaʿ al-malal).[10]

    Applying the Recognition Framework

    The information on this page can be used to evaluate whether this device is present in a candidate lexical item using the Specific Device Recognition part of the Universal Framework for Identifying Arabic Rhetorical Devices:

    • Use the Definition, Mechanism, and Recognition sections of this page in Step 1.
    • Apply the substitution test in Step 2.
    • Consider contextual indicators in Step 3.
    • Use the Diagnostic Communicative Enhancements section of this page in Step 4.

    Subtypes of Affirmed Dispraise

    Al-Qazwīnī, al-Taftāzānī, Ṭabāna, and ʿAkkāwī distinguish two structural forms of Affirmed Dispraise, according to whether the opening construction negates a praiseworthy quality or affirms a blameworthy one.[7][8][9][3] ʿAkkāwī (1996) also identifies this device as the converse (ʿaks) of PRAISE: Affirmed Praise (tawkīd al-madḥ bi-mā yushbihu al-dhamm).[3]

    DSPRAIS-NPE: Negated Praise with Dispraising Exception (istithnāʾ ṣifat dhammin min ṣifat madḥin manfiyya)

    Annotation Unit
    ARDTDSPRAIS-NPE
    Level2 (Subtype)
    BalaghaBaseQ345
    Official Arabic nameistithnāʾ ṣifat dhammin min ṣifat madḥin manfiyya[11]

    A form of Affirmed Dispraise in which a praiseworthy attribute is negated from the subject; an exception particle follows, leading the listener to expect praise; but the excepted element is a blameworthy attribute.[2][3][4][1][6][7][8][9]

    Al-Taftāzānī, ʿAkkāwī (1996), and Abdul-Raof (2006) note that this type reinforces dispraise from two angles (min wajhayn): the negation of good and the affirmation of blame.[3][1][8]

    خَلا مِنَ الفَضْلِ غَيْرَ أَنِّي أَراهُ     في الحُمْقِ لا يُجارَى

    "He is devoid of virtue, except that in foolishness I see him unmatched."

    Explanation
    The speaker negates virtue from the subject. The listener, hearing ghayra annī arāhu ("except that I see him"), expects some redeeming trait. Instead, the exception reveals an incomparable degree of foolishness, compounding the dispraise.[2]

    لا فَضْلَ لِلْقَوْمِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُمْ لا يَعْرِفُونَ لِلْجَارِ حَقَّه.

    "There is no merit in this people, except that they do not recognise the right of their neighbour."

    Explanation
    The good quality (merit) is negated. The exception appears to offer a qualification, but instead confirms a social failing — the violation of a neighbour's rights.[2]

    فُلَانٌ لَيْسَ أَهْلًا لِلْمَعْرُوفِ، إِلَّا أَنَّهُ يُسِيءُ إِلَى مَنْ يُحْسِنُ إِلَيْه.

    "So-and-so is not worthy of kindness, except that he mistreats those who do good to him."

    Explanation
    Worthiness of kindness is negated. The exception ostensibly qualifies this negation, but introduces the active mistreatment of benefactors as the only trait that fills the exception slot.[2]

    فُلَانٌ لَا خَيْرَ فِيهِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ يَتَصَدَّقُ بِمَا يَسْرِق.

    "So-and-so has no good in him, except that he gives in charity what he steals."

    Explanation
    The praiseworthy quality (goodness) is negated. The exception particle raises the expectation of a redeeming trait, but the excepted element — giving in charity from stolen goods — is itself blameworthy, compounding the dispraise.[5]

    فُلَانٌ لَا خَيْرَ فِيهِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ يُسِيءُ إِلَى مَنْ أَحْسَنَ إِلَيْه.

    "So-and-so has no good in him, except that he mistreats those who do good to him."

    Explanation
    The praiseworthy quality (goodness) is negated. The exception particle raises the expectation of a redeeming trait, but the excepted element — mistreating one's benefactors — is itself blameworthy, compounding the dispraise.[6]

    لا خَيْرَ في هَذَا الْمَسْؤُولِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ يُتْقِنُ إِهْدَارَ الْمَالِ الْعَامِّ دُونَ أَنْ يَشْعُرَ بِالْحَرَج.

    "There is nothing good in this official, except that he is an expert at squandering public funds without the least embarrassment."

    Explanation
    Good quality is negated. The exception particle creates an expectation of praise, but the excepted element — expertise in squandering public funds — is entirely blameworthy, intensifying the condemnation.

    "The restaurant has absolutely nothing to recommend it, except that its staff are exceptionally skilled at insulting customers."

    Explanation
    The opening clause negates any praiseworthy quality in the restaurant. The exception construction ("except that") appears to introduce a redeeming feature, but instead attributes a further fault — insulting customers. Dispraise is thus reinforced both by the negation of praise and by the addition of a blameworthy quality.

    DSPRAIS-FDE: Affirmed Dispraise with Further Dispraising Exception (istithnāʾ ṣifat dhammin min ṣifat dhammin muthbata)

    Annotation Unit
    ARDTDSPRAIS-FDE
    Level2 (Subtype)
    BalaghaBaseQ346
    Official Arabic nameistithnāʾ ṣifat dhammin min ṣifat dhammin muthbata[11]

    A form of Affirmed Dispraise in which a blameworthy attribute is directly stated; an exception particle follows, leading the listener to expect a mitigation; but the excepted element is a second blameworthy attribute.[2][3][4][1][6][7][8][9]

    Al-Taftāzānī, ʿAkkāwī (1996), and Abdul-Raof (2006) note that this type reinforces dispraise from one angle only (min wajh wāḥid): the addition of a further blameworthy quality.[3][1][8]

    هُوَ الْكَلْبُ إِلَّا أَنَّ فِيهِ مَلَالَةً     وَسُوءَ مِرَاعَاةٍ وَمَا ذَاكَ فِي الْكَلْب

    "He is a dog, except that he has wearisomeness and poor loyalty — traits not even found in a dog."

    Explanation
    The speaker states a dispraise outright (likening the subject to a dog). The listener, hearing illā anna fīhi ("except that he has"), expects a qualification or softening. Instead, the exception adds further faults — wearisomeness and poor loyalty — that even a dog does not possess, compounding the dispraise.[2][5]

    فُلَانٌ حَسُودٌ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ نَمَّام.

    "So-and-so is envious, except that he is also a slanderer."

    Explanation
    Envy is stated as a direct fault. The exception particle suggests mitigation, but the excepted quality — slander — is itself a vice, intensifying rather than relieving the criticism.[2]

    الجَاهِلُ عَدُوُّ نَفْسِهِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ صَدِيقُ السُّفَهَاء.

    "The ignorant man is his own enemy, except that he is a friend of fools."

    Explanation
    Although al-Hāshimī (2019) cites this example under the first structural form, the opening clause already attributes a blameworthy quality ("enemy of himself") rather than negating a praiseworthy one. In this encyclopedia, it is therefore classified under the second structural form, where the exception adds a further blameworthy quality and reinforces the dispraise.[2]

    لَئِيمُ الطِّبَاعِ سِوَى أَنَّهُ جَبَانٌ     يَهْوِي عَلَيْهِ الْهَوَان

    "Base in character, except that he is cowardly — humiliation descends upon him."

    Explanation
    Baseness of character is affirmed. The exception particle sawā raises the expectation of a mitigating quality, but cowardice — itself a vice — fills the exception slot, compounding the dispraise.[2]

    فُلَانٌ فَاسِقٌ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ جَاهِل.

    "So-and-so is a reprobate, except that he is also ignorant."

    Explanation
    Moral corruption is affirmed as a direct fault. The exception particle raises the expectation of a mitigating quality, but ignorance — itself a vice — fills the exception slot, compounding the dispraise.[6]

    هَذَا الْمُحَاضِرُ مُمِلٌّ فِي أُسْلُوبِهِ، إِلَّا أَنَّهُ يَزِيدُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُ يَسْرِقُ أَفْكَارَ طُلَّابِهِ دُونَ أَنْ يُشِيرَ إِلَيْهِم.

    "This lecturer is tedious in his style, except that he goes further still by stealing his students' ideas without crediting them."

    Explanation
    Tedium is affirmed as a direct fault. The exception construction leads the listener to expect a counterbalancing quality, but instead introduces the additional failing of intellectual dishonesty, compounding the condemnation.

    "The contractor is dishonest, except that he is also remarkably incompetent."

    Explanation
    The opening clause directly attributes a blameworthy quality (dishonesty) to the contractor. The exception construction ("except that") suggests a possible qualification or mitigation, but instead introduces another blameworthy quality (incompetence), reinforcing the original criticism.

    Different From

    • Affirmed Praise (tawkīd al-madḥ bi-mā yushbihu al-dhamm): the structural converse of this device, in which a praise construction leads the listener to expect dispraise, but the excepted element is a further praiseworthy quality. ʿAkkāwī (1996) and ʿAbbās (2007) treat both devices together as a pair.[3][4]

    Notes

    • The exception particles ghayra and sawā function in the same structural role as illā in this device; this is confirmed by the examples in the sources.[2][4]

    References

    1. ↑ a b c d e f g Hussein Abdul-Raof, Arabic Rhetoric: A Pragmatic Analysis (Oxford: Routledge, 2006), 245, ISBN 9780415386098. DOI: 10.4324/9780203965399
    2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Aḥmad al-Hāshimī, Jawāhir al-Balāgha fī al-Maʿānī wa-al-Bayān wa-al-Badīʿ (Windsor: Hindāwī Foundation, 2019), 378, ISBN 9781527316386.
    3. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Inʿam Fawwal ʿAkkawi, al-Muʿjam al-Mufassal fi ʿUlum al-Balagha: al-Badiʿ wa-l-Bayan wa-l-Maʿani (Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-ʿIlmiyya, 1996), 275–276.
    4. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Faḍl Ḥasan ʿAbbās, Al-Balāgha: Funūnuhā wa-Afnānuhā - ʿIlm al-Bayān wa-al-Badīʿ (Amman: Dār al-Furqān lil-Nashr wa-al-Tawzīʿ, 2007), 290–291.
    5. ↑ a b c d e f g Ḥafnī Nāṣif, Muḥammad Diyāb, Sultan Muḥammad and Muṣṭafā Ṭammām, Durūs al-Balāgha (Beirut: Dār Ibn Ḥazm, 2012), 114, ISBN 9786144162798.
    6. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Atīq, ʿIlm al-Badīʿ (Beirut: Dār al-Nahḍa al-ʿArabiyya lil-Ṭibāʿa wa-al-Nashr wa-al-Tawzīʿ, 2002), 170.
    7. ↑ a b c d e f g Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Qazwīnī, known as al-Khaṭīb al-Qazwīnī, al-Īḍāḥ fī ʿUlūm al-Balāgha: al-Maʿānī wa-al-Bayān wa-al-Badīʿ, ed. and comm. Ibrāhīm Shams al-Dīn (Beirut: Dār al-Kutub al-ʿIlmiyya, 2003), 282, ISBN 9782745139078.
    8. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Saʿd al-Dīn al-Taftāzānī, al-Muṭawwal: Sharḥ Talkhīṣ Miftāḥ al-ʿUlūm, ed. ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd Hindāwī, Shurūḥ al-Talkhīṣ 3, 3rd ed. (Beirut: Dār al-Kutub al-ʿIlmiyya, 2013), 676, ISBN 9782745131768.
    9. ↑ a b c d e f Badawī Ṭabāna, Muʿjam al-Balāgha al-ʿArabiyya, 3rd rev. and expanded ed. (Jeddah: Dār al-Manāra; Riyadh: Dār al-Rifāʿī, 1988), 37.
    10. ↑ a b c d e f g Ayman Amin Abd Al-Ghani, Al-Kāfī fī al-Balāgha: Al-Bayān, wa al-Badiʿ wa al-Maʿānī (Cairo: Dār al-Tawfīqiyya lil-Turāth, 2011), 265-270.
    11. ↑ a b Inʿam Fawwal ʿAkkawi, al-Muʿjam al-Mufassal fi ʿUlum al-Balagha: al-Badiʿ wa-l-Bayan wa-l-Maʿani (Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-ʿIlmiyya, 1996), 275.



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