Dictionary of Language Standards: Between Authenticity and Innovation

Abstract

      The study examines the biography and scholarly standing of Ibn faris, then analyzes the theoretical foundations upon which his dictionary Maqāyīs al-Lughah is based, foremost among them the concept of roots and measures as a principle for explaining meaning and tracing derivative forms back to a unified semantic origin. It also addresses the structural framework of the lexicon, his method of arranging entries and classifying chapters, and clarifies his approaches to interpreting vocabulary as well as his reliance on Qurʾānic, prophetic, and linguistic evidence . The study further presents the most prominent merits of the dictionary, such as its circular alphabetical method and his commitment to authentic linguistic usage, alongside the main criticisms recorded by scholars, especially those resulting from his strict adherence to his theory. It concludes that Ibn Fāris was neither merely a transmitter nor an absolute innovator, but rather a foundational scholar who benefited from the legacy of his predecessors and developed it within a distinctive methodological framework that facilitated searching for lexical items and tracing them back to their linguistic roots.