The language of Sehl-i mümteni in Nefʽį's divan

The language and art of sehl-i mümteni are generally defined in the literature as a stylistic expression that appears simple and effortless on the surface, yet is profoundly layered in meaning and structure, possessing high aesthetic value and being extremely difficult to imitate. This study aims to move beyond the frequently repeated superficial definitions found in the existing scholarship by uncovering the linguistic foundations of this art form in a concrete and systematic manner. Instead of relying on generalized descriptions such as "simple yet profound" or "plain yet effective," the thesis analyzes which linguistic elements, grammatical structures, and semantic depths underpin the construction of sehl-i mümteni. The research begins with a comprehensive review of both classical and modern literature on the concept of sehl-i mümteni, followed by an overview of Nefʽį's life, literary personality, and poetic style. The core of the thesis involves a meticulous examination of the entire corpus of Nefʽį's Divan, during which poetic examples that align with the characteristics of sehl-i mümteni were identified and analyzed in terms of their phonetic, morphological, semantic, and syntactic features. The findings demonstrate that this literary art gains its meaning not merely from an ease of expression, but from the convergence of multiple layers of meaning, aesthetic structure, and original stylistic choices. In conclusion, the study establishes that Nefʽį employed the art of sehl-i mümteni with remarkable aesthetic precision, particularly in his ghazals. His ability to convey profound meanings through concise language, and his masterful unification of linguistic simplicity with semantic richness, reveal his exceptional command of rhetorical artistry. Beyond offering original insights into Nefʽį's poetic language, this thesis also seeks to fill a significant theoretical gap by systematically elucidating the formation processes of the sehl-i mümteni style.