1. Introduction
The significance of stylistics lies in applying the forms and patterns of language structure at different levels as an important indicator for determining the function of a text. Literature is the primary subject of stylistic analysis, whether it is high literature as a form of elevated linguistic art or more popular and colloquial forms of literature and texts (Simpson, 2026: 38–39). In fact, linguistic creativity and innovation are not limited to literary writing. Texts dealing with everyday subjects can also provide valuable insights into how the natural language of a particular era functions, revealing the gradual and often imperceptible process of language change.
By examining early written works—especially those composed during transitional periods between different literary styles and which, due to their subject matter and content, are not generally regarded as prestigious literary works—valuable findings can be obtained regarding the evolution and development of language. Although Al-Nasiri belongs to the seventh century AH (13th century CE), its writing style does not fully conform to the dominant style of that century. While it belongs to the style of its own period, it also retains certain characteristics associated with the fifth century.
Since only one manuscript of this work survives and no critical edition has yet been produced, the authors first undertook the reading and editing of the text and subsequently extracted its stylistic features. In this study, they introduce the various syntactic variations and characteristics of the text and compare their frequency. The aim is to determine the extent to which the author adhered to the prevailing style of his own era while also retaining features of earlier styles, and to identify the frequency of each feature. To complement the discussion, the discoursal motivations behind each syntactic form are also examined.

2. Literature Review
Apart from the study by Safari (2018), no research has been conducted on Al-Nasiri. That study provides information about al-Ghadiri and the author's other works and offers a general introduction to Al-Nasiri. Among its observations is that, due to the wide range of topics covered in the book, it naturally contains a large number of words related to everyday tools, customs, and traditions. Furthermore, because the translator was highly competent and did not adhere to a strictly literal translation method, it is considered likely that dialectal features of the translator’s region entered the text. Beyond this, we have no further knowledge of the translator.

3. Methodology
The present study was conducted through library-based research. The authenticity of the manuscript was verified through consultation with the National Union Catalogue of Manuscripts (Fankha). One of the authors reread and critically edited the manuscript as part of a doctoral dissertation. The stylistic analysis was carried out on a sample consisting of 605 lines, equivalent to 31 pages. Since the author follows a consistent writing practice throughout the text, this sample was deemed sufficient for identifying its stylistic features. The frequency of syntactic characteristics was analyzed statistically, and their discourse-related implications were discussed.

4. Discussion
The most important syntactic features of Al-Nasiri include variation in verb placement, ellipsis and circumlocution, the use of infinitives and participial forms in place of finite verbs, and variation in the placement of negative markers within sentences. From a stylistic perspective, these features position the text somewhere between plain prose (nathr-e mursal) and ornate prose (nathr-e fanni).
All of these features serve to foreground particular parts of sentences in accordance with the author’s goals of conveying meaning precisely or directing attention toward specific elements. This has been examined within the framework of Information Structure Theory. Therefore, although features such as lexical and syntactic circumlocution, including the repetition of sentence elements or conjunctions, are generally associated with ornate prose, they cannot be said to function merely as verbal embellishment or to reflect the prioritization of form over meaning. On the contrary, both lexical and syntactic symmetry and equilibrium or conformation are employed to ensure precision in conveying meaning. As discussed in interaction with information structure, these devices are used to highlight specific concepts within a sentence and engage the reader’s attention to them. Thus, as in plain prose, the communication of meaning remains more important than verbal ornamentation.
Moreover, apart from parallelism and syntactic conformation, which appear through synonymous expressions, the text lacks other common rhetorical devices characteristic of ornate prose, such as congeries (mora’āt al-naẓīr), paronomasia (jinās), and similar figures. Consequently, in the parallel and balanced arrangement of synonymous expressions (and in one case involving both opposition and synonymy in repetitive circumlocution pairs), the primary emphasis is on reinforcing a semantic field through the succession of synonymous words. Although this secondarily creates a degree of stylistic elegance, reflecting limited traces of ornate prose, it does not go beyond these forms of parallelism and therefore cannot be regarded as strongly representative of the ornate style.

5. Conclusion
During the fifth and sixth centuries AH, an intermediate prose style known as “elevated plain prose” (mursal-e ‘ālī) became widespread. This style represents a transitional stage between plain prose and ornate prose. Such a situation is clearly evident in Al-Nasiri.
Given the subject matter of the book, its style more closely resembles plain prose. In dream interpretation, meaning takes precedence over (elegance) form, and the goal addressee consists of the general public rather than the narrower circle of literati and professional writers. Indeed, plain prose is closer to spoken colloquial language. Nevertheless, the author composed the preface in rhymed prose, rich with literary devices and rhetorical embellishments, which is itself a characteristic feature of elevated plain prose.
In plain prose, the principal sentence elements typically precede the verb, while secondary peripheral elements follow it. The frequent occurrence of adverbials after the verb—much more common than the placement of objects and complements in this position—supports the author's affinity for the plain prose tradition. Another characteristic of Al-Nasiri is its extensive citation of Quranic verses and prophetic traditions, a feature shared by both plain and ornate prose. Since this was not the focus of the present study, it is mentioned only briefly.
Khatibi (2011: 59), in describing the characteristics of plain prose, notes that earlier writers would sometimes remove an emphatic word from its usual position within the sentence and place it at the beginning. This is only one method of foregrounding an emphasized element. In al-Yazdi’s prose, however, this technique is rarely observed except in the fronting of negative elements and their separation from the verb. Furthermore, since the subject is optional in most sentences, the sentence naturally begins with the predicate part. Another available device for emphasis, frequently observed in Al-Nasiri, is the placement of the emphasized element after the verb in order to achieve limited focus and foregrounding.