A critical review of the fundamental concepts of semantics (Ma āni) or traditional study of the literary theory

Ma’āni (semantics), an important and potent branch of the traditional literary and linguistic studies, has gradually lost its original importance due to lack of a clear theoretical framework. This is caused by the confusion and misunderstanding of its definitions and essential concepts. In this article, profiting new linguistic methodology, it is tried to arrive at a new and clear understanding of Ma’āni by examining its original definition and concepts, and criticizing the secondary texts and explanations which are considered as the main sources of the misinterpretation. Literary examples cited all through the article demonstrate the potential of this new understanding of Ma’āni to a more vivid study and analysis of the Persian literary works.