The Application of the Seven Standards of Textuality to the Quranic Discourse

Abstract

 This study aims to analyze how selected Quranic verses according to the theoretical framework of the Seven Standards of Textuality, as articulated by de Beau Grande and Dressler (1981). These standards encompass cohesion, coherence, intentionality, acceptability, informativity, citationality, and Intertextuality. They constitute the definitive criteria for textual well-formedness. Despite extensive scholarly exploration of the Quran, comparatively few works have actively applied such comprehensive linguistic models, notably de Beau Grande and Dressler’s Seven Standards. Utilizing this framework facilitates a novel exploration of the inherent textual structure and conveyed meaning within Quranic verses. This study endeavors to address this gap by systematically investigating the degree of correspondence between Quranic discourse and these seven standards. The data are constituted by thematically selected verses primarily focused on the fundamental divine message: the oneness of Allah. The methodology employed is qualitative discourse analysis. The findings demonstrate that these verses consistently fulfill all seven textuality criteria, offering enhanced linguistic insights into the Quran's textual constitution. Further observations and discussion are articulated throughout the study.