Studies on Arabic Language and Literature

Abstract The study of “context” has obtained a significant place in contemporary linguistic studies and many linguistic scholars, both in early and modern times, spent much effort on this domain until it became a fully-fledged theory by the English scholar Firth. In the past, scholars paid attention to the “Context” and its effect on the meaning studied the conditions surrounding the speech context .They considered the relation between the level of discourse and words. They found that pronunciation does not express the meaning if the context is disregarded. This principle was followed by a number of scholars: Aljahez, Ibn Jinni, Abdulkaher and Al-Jorjany, who established the Theory of Composition, which refers to the integration of “Context” and ideas to constitute an integral theory. Their effort realized in the content of the Arabic cultural heritage such as explication, Koranic studies, hadith, rhetoric, syntax and morphology. In modern linguistic studies, Firth developed the Theory of “Context” and make it a comprehensive linguistic theory that affected Arab as well as Western Linguists who followed him. This research deals with aspects of “Context” in the work of Western linguists before and after Firth, and Arab linguists who highly admired Western linguistic studies.

Abstract Poems and stories have traditionally interacted. We find poets who told stories in their poetry. As the genre of story was not common in Arabic literature, Arab poets used it in their poems. Hover, in spite of the prevalence of stories in modern literature, narrative poetry has been used as a way of poetic expression by poets. Free Arabic poetry and modern Arabic poetry, unlike traditional poetry, which based on monologues, have a dramatic structure, as it encapsulate a collective spirit. Such structure is in need of narration to be in harmony with the collective spirit. This is the reason why such stories have grasped the attention of modern poets. One such poet is Abdulwahab al-Bayati, who was interested in dramatic poetry and odes. So we find narrative features in his poetry and the stories are derived from history, literature and mythology. In this study, we investigate narrative elements in the poetry of Abdulwahab al Bayati. We focus on four famous odes by him. The goal of the study is a qualitative and analytical exploration of narrative elements.

Abstract Allah, because of His wisdom and omniscience chose Arabic as a framework and expression of His greatness and miracles. The multitude of Arabic dialects at the time of the revelation of the Quran has caused the scholars to disagree on the dialect in which the Quran was revealed. This study first discusses the status of Mecca and its Bazaars before Islam. Then, it explains some important terms: language, dialect, lingua franca, core language, and colloquial language. Arabic dialects were so similar at the time of revelation of the Quran there was a commonality of 90 percent. The existence of many dialects caused the spread of Arabic language. This could be seen in the compilation of rich and comprehensive dictionaries and grammar books. This article tries to prove that the dialect of revelation was not that of Qureish but a common one. It was the fluent dialect people conversed in it. Of course, some changes have happened to the language of the people. All reasons put forth claiming that the dialect of Qureish dominates the Quran are false, inexact and based on no proofs.

Abstract This research deals with the battles of brutal animals in the pagan Arabic poetry, and shows the status of role of animals in human life at the time. It examines some significant battles in the poems, such as the battles of bulls, and the battles of zebras, and the battles of male ostriches. This article considers the views of critics who studied the significance of these battles and finds that they are of three types: those who see the battles a digression in the poetic text, those who think the battles are closely related to myths, and finally those who see the battles are representatives of man's struggle in life .The researcher also expresses his own opinion about the strengths or weaknesses of these battles and discusses them in connection to the psychological state of the poets.

Abstract The study of lexical similarities is one of the most important issues in religious text interpretation without which the comprehension of the Holy Quran is almost impossible. This domain of scholarship dates back to the beginning of the Islamic era, and great scholars, before and after Tabarsi, have taken it into consideration. The number of Quranic homophones and similarities in some books published up to the ninth century have been fully studied statistically. However, Majmaulbayan of Tabarasi, which has dealt with them more comprehensively has not been given due attention. The present study investigated various cases of linguistic similarity in Majmaulbayan as well as the related lexical meanings. Similarity here does not mean homophones, where two or more different forms have the same pronunciation but different meanings. Rather, it means synonyms, where different words have similar meanings. In expressing similarities, Tabarsi used various terms such as ‘motaqarebatulmaani’ (having similar meanings), ‘alamaaniwahid’(single meaning ), ‘misl’(similar ), and ‘shabih’( similar). When he wanted to refer to homophones, he mentioned homonymy without saying anything about similarities, while other scholars used homonyms together with other similarities in the sense of homophones. As for similarity in the sense of synonymy, Tabarsi did not believe in total synonymy, and he referred to lexical differences as ‘farq’ or ‘foruq’ (differences). In this case, he followed Abuhalal Askari.

Abstract This paper deals with the influence of Brecht's epic theatre on Saadalla Wannous as a committed writer, who tried to contribute to raising his audience's awareness using alienation techniques and employing Arab cultural heritage to serve the society and its causes. Following the defeat in June 1967 and as a result of Wannous being influenced by Brechtian theatre, a new phase emerged in his drama, which aimed at confronting the crises sweeping across the Arab World when nations became disappointed about their nationalistic dreams. However, Wannous did not copy Brecht's alienation technique literally; rather, he adapted it within a dialectical relationship to serve his society. He also employed it to provoke the audience into thinking of creating a new Arab World.      

Abstract Poetry writing has been characterized by spontaneity and intuition, but this spontaneity was neither pure nor innocent, for the poet had to carefully scheme his poetry, urged by his aspiration to be as elevated as his diction and craft could be, together with the competitive spirit which naturally reigns over poetic genius. The poet, thus, had to pursue means which could allow him achieve mastery over poetic craft without damaging the essence of his creativity. Thus, poetic craft was the method by which poets could produce sublime poetry with sublime standards. Omayyad poets sought new polished styles in which they could enrich their poetry with new imagery, making it superior to other writings. These styles shed light on their distinct perception of poetry as well as the notion of poetic craft itself and their employment of this craft in the service of their poems. Poets have employed several styles to enrich their poems, and they have been inspired by ideas from the weaving craft to support their own art. This led to the incorporation of notions such as weaving, knitting, embellishment, purification and correctedness into poetry, as well as many other techniques which improved poetry. The concern with craft for the improvement of poetry drew attention to its flaws. Poets tried hard to avoid these flaws in order to maintain poetry`s elegance and taste.