Sexist Language Representation in the Works of Saadi and Ferdowsi: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

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PhD in Linguistics, National Language Institute researcher, Tehran, Iran.

10.22034/lda.2025.143695.1048

Abstract

Persian classical literature, as a reflection of the cultural and ideological structures of its time, has played a significant role in shaping and consolidating dominant discourses, including gendered discourse. This study, grounded in the framework of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), investigates the representation of sexist language in the works of Saadi and Ferdowsi, aiming to identify the linguistic mechanisms and discourse-oriented components that contribute to the production and reproduction of the symbolic patriarchal order within these texts. The data for this research consists of purposefully selected verses that exemplify prominent instances of sexist language in the works of both poets. Employing a descriptive-analytical methodology, the data has been collected through library-based research. The analysis reveals that, despite the poets’ different historical and cultural contexts, both exhibit traces of sexist language that manifest in the linguistic and semantic layers of their poetry. These patterns reflect the pervasive influence of patriarchal dominance and androcentrism, contributing to the perpetuation of gender-biased discourse. Therefore, the findings suggest that Persian classical literature—despite stylistic and temporal differences—has largely functioned in the service of maintaining a symbolic order centered around male dominance.

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