This study delves into the theoretical foundations of Arabic grammar, moving beyond traditional educational perspectives to offer a nuanced understanding of the subject. Specifically, it examines al-Mubarrad’s semantic system to extract key elements of his grammatical theory.
The research highlights an epistemological shift initiated by al-Mubarrad in response to Sibawayh’s grammar, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of grammatical theory. Employing a philological analytical approach, the study categorizes semantic grammatical concepts articulated by al-Mubarrad, laying the groundwork for the theory of definiteness and preference.
Al-Mubarrad’s theory links definiteness with the informational values of verbal and nominal clauses, while also introducing the concept of preference, which transcends traditional grammatical structures. These insights are expected to influence future developments in Arabic grammatical theory, particularly concerning definiteness and preference.