Kees Versteegh et al. (eds.): Encyclopedia of Arabic Language, Vol. III
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Kees Versteegh et. al. (eds.): Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics. Volume III Lat-Pu.
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Original source:
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Sven-Olof Dahlgren
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Kees Versteegh et. al. (eds.): Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics. Volume III Lat-Pu.
Year: 2008 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.7382
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The third volume of the "Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics," edited by Kees Versteegh and a diverse team of specialists, presents an extensive compilation of articles that capture both the historical and contemporary aspects of Arabic linguistics. This volume stands out due to its inclusive blend of contributions from both Western and Arabic scholars, enriching the scope of knowledge available to both students and professionals in the field. The articles vary in length and depth, covering a wide range of subjects related to the Arabic language, its dialects, and grammatical features.
Dialect Studies
One notable aspect of this volume is its comprehensive treatment of Arabic dialects, such as Maltese, Moroccan Arabic, and Negev Arabic. Each article offers a detailed examination of specific dialects, integrating both diachronic and synchronic perspectives that highlight historic development and sociolinguistic factors. For instance, the entry on Northwest Arabian Arabic discusses Bedouin dialects across various regions and showcases the nuanced understanding of linguistic variations. This approach not only enriches the scholarly landscape of Arabic linguistics but also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the sociocultural contexts in which these dialects exist.
Conclusion
Despite the wealth of knowledge contained within this encyclopedia, the review points out specific weaknesses in the scholarly contributions, such as a limited use of diverse sources and a tendency to view Arabic studies in isolation from broader linguistic frameworks. The review urges future researchers to engage with existing literature, including works in other languages, to enrich their analysis. By fostering a dialogue with general linguistics, Arabic scholars can greatly enhance their understanding and approach to the complexities of the Arabic language, ultimately contributing to ongoing research in the field.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the focus of the Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics?
The encyclopedia provides comprehensive articles on various aspects of Arabic linguistics, covering historical, grammatical, and sociolinguistic topics, written by specialists in the field.
What types of Arabic dialects are included in Volume III?
Volume III features studies on many dialects, including Maltese, Moroccan Arabic, Najdi Arabic, and Palestinian Arabic, as well as discussions on Bedouin dialects in specific regions.
What issues were identified in the scholarly work on Arabic?
The reviewer noted two main issues: insufficient use of German scholarship and a narrow focus on Arabic as a discipline, which overlooks beneficial insights from general linguistics.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Kees Versteegh et al. (eds.): Encyclopedia of Arabic Language, Vol. III�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Language:
Language refers to the system of communication used by a particular community or country, an integral part of the Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics which discusses various languages and dialects.
2) Grammar:
Grammar is the set of rules that govern the structure of sentences in a language, and numerous entries in the encyclopedia, like mood and middle verbs, deal with grammatical features.
3) Book:
The book being reviewed is the third volume of the Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics, a comprehensive reference for specialists and students alike.
4) Linguistics:
Linguistics is the scientific study of language, its structure, and meaning, the main subject of the reviewed encyclopedia which covers both contemporary and historical perspectives.
5) Dialect:
Dialect studies such as those on Maltese, Meccan Arabic, and Moroccan Arabic are essential components of the Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics.
6) Mud:
In linguistics, mood pertains to the form of verbs used to express modality. The entry 'Mood' in the encyclopedia discusses this feature in both Standard and Arabic dialects.
7) Lexicography:
Lexicography is the practice of compiling dictionaries, and the encyclopedia includes entries on lexicography: bilingual dictionaries, classical Arabic dictionaries, and monolingual dictionaries.
8) Science (Scientific):
The reviewed work is scientific in nature, aiming to advance the reader's knowledge and understanding through methodical and scholarly articles.
9) Communication (Communicate, Communicated, Communicating):
Communication in linguistics includes various means of conveying information, which is part of the broader linguistic concepts covered in the encyclopedia, as mentioned in the review.
10) Possession:
The grammatical feature of possession is discussed in the encyclopedia, and comparisons are drawn to works in general linguistics like 'Possessives in English.'
11) Discipline:
The discipline of Arabic studies encompasses a wide range of subjects, including linguistic analysis, grammar, and historical development, as explored in the encyclopedia.
12) Student:
Students of Arabic linguistics and language studies will find the encyclopedia a valuable resource for deepening their knowledge and broadening their understanding.
13) Egypt:
[see source text or glossary: Egypt]
14) Arabic language:
The Arabic language, in its various historical and contemporary forms, is the central subject of the Encyclopedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics.
15) Knowledge:
The encyclopedia aims to enhance knowledge about Arabic linguistics and language, providing extensive articles and bibliographies.
16) Existence:
The existence of numerous articles and contributions in the encyclopedia underscores the depth and breadth of Arabic language studies.
17) Pakistan:
The encyclopedia includes entries that address peripheral subjects, such as Pakistan, exemplifying the broad scope of topics it covers.
18) Metrics (Metric):
Metrical refers to the structure of verse in poetry. This concept is explored within the broader discussions on prosody and phonological features in the encyclopedia.
19) Lexicon:
The lexical studies in the encyclopedia involve the lexicon or vocabulary of the Arabic language, including bilingual and monolingual dictionaries.
20) Wealth:
There is a wealth of information on Arabic linguistics and language contained within the encyclopedia, as noted by the reviewer.
21) Speech:
Parts of speech and their function in sentences are among the grammatical topics covered in the encyclopedia.
22) Future:
Future research in Arabic linguistics will benefit from the groundwork laid out in the encyclopedia, which also points to areas requiring further exploration.
23) Valin:
The review mentions the work of Van Valin in the context of the generative grammar paradigm, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in Arabic linguistics.
24) Nashta (Nasta):
[see source text or glossary: Nasta]
25) Depth:
The depth of the articles in the encyclopedia, encompassing both breadth and detail, provides ample opportunities for scholars to deepen their understanding.
26) Madi:
Madi refers to the past tense in Arabic grammar, one of the grammatical features explored in the encyclopedia.
27) Mali:
The entry 'Mali' represents the wide geographical and cultural range of topics addressed in the encyclopedia, including places far from the Arab world.
28) Camp:
[see source text or glossary: Camp]
29) Dawn:
[see source text or glossary: Dawn]
30) Dung:
[see source text or glossary: Dung]