Ethnographic discourse analysis: Conversion to Islam ceremony

• Main Author: Tun Nur Afizah, Zainal Ariff,
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sage Publications Inc 2015
• Subjects: Da'wah Discourse; Discourse; Ethnographic Discourse Analysis; Investigative Interview; Islamic Discourse; Religious Discourse; Religious Professional Setting; Spoken Interaction
• Online Access: http://ddms.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/8133

Previous studies have revealed the importance of studying spoken professional-client/outsider interaction, especially the Q&A session, in various professional settings. However, most of the studies are located in non-religious professional settings. This article presents research in a particular religious professional setting, daee/propagator of Islam-client/outsider interaction. The research aims to study the daees' spoken discourse when interacting face to face with their clients/the outsiders. This particular article focuses on the analysis and discussion of the daees/propagators of Islam's spoken discourse strategies when interacting with non-Muslim individuals/potential converts who seek conversion to Islam in a communicative event called the Conversion to Islam Ceremony at a da'wah/Islamic propagation center in Malaysia. Ethnographic discourse analysis is employed to examine the daees/propagators of Islam's spoken discourse strategies in managing and maintaining involvement when interacting with their client during the Q&A session of the event. The analysis reveals that the daees, in order to propagate Islam, engage politeness strategies, topic management strategies, code-switching and humor.