A Linguistic Analysis of Jordanian Wedding Invitation Cards: Structure, Style, and Sociocultural Significance

Abstract

Wedding invitation cards in Jordan constitute a rich site for linguistic and cultural investigation. This study analyzes the textual structure, lexical choices, discourse patterns, and sociolinguistic meanings embedded in a sample of Jordanian wedding cards. Through qualitative content analysis, the research identifies the dominant linguistic features such as honorific forms, formulaic expressions, religious references, politeness strategies, and gendered language. The findings reveal that wedding cards function not merely as announcements but as culturally coded texts that reinforce social hierarchies, religious identity, family honor, and communal relationships. The paper contributes to both Arabic sociolinguistics and discourse studies by highlighting how everyday genres—such as invitation cards—reflect broader linguistic traditions and local cultural norms.