Points of Agreement and Disagreement in the Grammatical and Linguistic Views of Sibawayh (d. 180 AH) and Al-Zajjājī (d. 340 AH))

This thesis examines the points of agreement and disagreement between Sibawayh (d. 180 AH/796 CE) and Al-Zajjājī (d. 340 AH/951 CE) in their grammatical and linguistic views. It aims to identify the issues on which the two scholars agreed, those in which Al-Zajjājī differed from Sibawayh, and the various aspects of convergence and divergence in their treatment of grammatical and linguistic issues. The study also examines the principles of linguistic argumentation adopted by Al-Zajjājī, particularly al-samāʿ (transmitted linguistic evidence) and al-qiyās (analogy), as fundamental bases for examining his grammatical and linguistic views and comparing them with those of Sibawayh. The thesis consists of an introduction, a preliminary chapter, four main chapters, and a conclusion, followed by a bibliography of the sources and references. The preliminary chapter presents an overview of Al-Zajjājī’s life, his grammatical orientation, and his scholarly works. Chapter One examines the principles of linguistic argumentation according to Al-Zajjājī and consists of two sections. The first section deals with al-samāʿ (transmitted linguistic evidence), while the second examines al-qiyās (analogy), with particular emphasis on their role in establishing grammatical and linguistic judgments. Chapter Two, entitled “Points of Agreement and Disagreement in Phonological and Morphological Issues,” consists of two sections. The first section examines phonological issues, while the second deals with morphological issues, comprising four topics: derivation, derived forms, diminutives and nisbah (relational adjectives), and plural formation. Chapter Three, entitled “Points of Agreement and Disagreement in Grammatical Issues,” consists of three sections. The first section examines accusative constructions and adjectival modification, including vocative constructions, exception, circumstantial expressions (ḥāl), and adjectival modification (naʿt). The second section examines particles of meaning (ḥurūf al-maʿānī). The third section deals with grammatical constructions, with particular emphasis on the interrogative and negative constructions. Chapter Four, entitled “Points of Agreement and Disagreement in Semantic Issues,” consists of two sections. The first section examines lexical meaning, while the second investigates semantic extension. The study concludes that the grammatical and linguistic views of Sibawayh and Al-Zajjājī reveal numerous points of agreement, alongside significant instances of disagreement. Al-Zajjājī agreed with Sibawayh on a number of grammatical and linguistic principles and issues, while differing from him in other instances and adopting views supported by linguistic evidence and analytical reasoning. The study also demonstrates that agreement between the two scholars does not necessarily imply complete correspondence in their methods of treatment. In some cases, Al-Zajjājī developed, expanded, or supplemented issues addressed by Sibawayh by introducing additional aspects. Likewise, his disagreement with Sibawayh reflects his scholarly independence and his reliance on evidence and critical analysis in formulating his grammatical and linguistic views and judgments. The thesis concludes with a summary of the principal findings of the study, followed by a bibliography of the sources and references consulted.