Arabic Loanwords in the Language of the Zhyraus: Pragmatic Motivations and Stylistic Effects

Authors

  • Bagdagul Seyitova

    Department of Philology, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan
  • Kalbike Yessenova

    Department of Philology, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan
  • Aisulu Nurzhanova

    School of Humanities, Narxoz University, Almaty 050035, Kazakhstan
  • Farida Kozhakhmetova

    Department of Language Disciplines, Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov, Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan
  • Fariza Ismailova

    Department of Philology, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i11.11367
Received: 30 July 2025 | Revised: 22 August 2025 | Accepted: 29 August 2025 | Published Online: 23 October 2025

Abstract

This paper examines the usage of Arabic-derived loanwords in the poetic language of classical Kazakh zhyrau (traditional Kazakh bard) of the 16th–18th centuries, focusing on pragmatic motivations and stylistic effects. Prominent zhyraus such as Shalkiiz, Zhienbet, Marqasqa, Bukhar, Aqtanberdi, Tatıqara, Umbetei, Kotesh, and Shal frequently employed Arabic-origin terms in their tolgau (didactic poetic speech transmitted orally). We analyze why these poets integrated Arabic loanwords into their predominantly Turkic lexicon and how these borrowings enriched orality and literary style. Drawing on examples from the zhyraus' verses and on linguistic studies, we find that Arabic words were adopted to convey key religious and abstract concepts, to lend authority and erudition to the bard's message, and to achieve particular rhetorical effects. Pragmatically, the use of Arabicisms helped the zhyraus address their audience in culturally resonant terms-invoking Islamic values, reinforcing moral instructions, and aligning with the listeners' worldview. Stylistically, the loanwords contributed to an elevated "bookish"  tone, enhanced the expressive depth of the poetry, and introduced novel sounds and imagery that made the performances more memorable. By situating these findings in the broader context of Kazakh linguistic history and literature, the study sheds light on the interplay between language contact and literary artistry in Kazakhstan's oral epic tradition. Furthermore, the findings provide practical insights that can inform contemporary Kazakh literature studies and enrich language education by highlighting the cultural and didactic functions of loanwords in poetic discourse.

Keywords:

Arabic Loanwords; Kazakh Zhyraus; Poetic Discourse; Language Contact; Stylistic Effect; Pragmatic Motivation; Cultural Identity; Oral Tradition

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How to Cite

Seyitova, B., Yessenova, K., Nurzhanova, A., Kozhakhmetova, F., & Ismailova, F. (2025). Arabic Loanwords in the Language of the Zhyraus: Pragmatic Motivations and Stylistic Effects. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(11), 897–911. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i11.11367

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 11 (November 2025): In progress

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Bagdagul Seyitova, Kalbike Yessenova, Aisulu Nurzhanova, Farida Kozhakhmetova, Fariza Ismailova

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.