Abstract
This article is concerned with studying the influence of conservatism on the modern Arabic lexicography, namely the structure of its dictionary entries and interpretation methods. Large Arabic Dictionary of the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo has been chosen as the object of research since lexicographers regard it as the newest stage in the centuries-long evolution of the Arabic lexicography. Based on Large Arabic Dictionary, the comparative analysis touches upon the peculiarities of a modern general purpose dictionary of the Arabic language, definitions, methods of recording primary and derived verbs, and types of supporting data. The consistency between modern dictionaries of the Arabic language and their classical, medieval counterparts is analysed with regard to methods of organisation and interpretation. Omissions made by medieval lexicographers due to complex definitions and unsystematised dictionary entries are critically examined.
Highlights
Modern lexicographic handbooks of the Arabic language are based on reforms and centurieslong lexicographic traditions
Monolingual dictionaries compiled by the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo can be called the grand achievements of the modern Arabic lexicography, namely "al-Mu‘jamal-uajīz", "al-Mu‘jamaluasīt", and "alMu‘jamal-kabīr"
"The Large Arabic Dictionary" compiled by the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo is relevant for the monolingual Arabic lexicography as it is based on the classical lexicographical principles and European traditions
Summary
Modern lexicographic handbooks of the Arabic language are based on reforms and centurieslong lexicographic traditions. Monolingual dictionaries compiled by the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo can be called the grand achievements of the modern Arabic lexicography, namely "al-Mu‘jamal-uajīz" (the Abridged Arabic Dictionary), "al-Mu‘jamaluasīt" (the Middle Arabic Dictionary), and "alMu‘jamal-kabīr" (the Large Arabic Dictionary). "The Large Arabic Dictionary" compiled by the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo is relevant for the monolingual Arabic lexicography as it is based on the classical lexicographical principles and European traditions. The dictionary launched the beginning of the 14th-century practice of compiling monolingual dictionaries Despite such a long period of the Arabic lexicographic tradition formation, modern monolingual dictionaries of the Arabic language are still firmly committed to conservative methods of compiling dictionaries (Hablas, 2006). The systematisation of a dictionary entry is a result of all the reforms that took part in the practical Arabic lexicography
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