[AR] Dalalat al-Mufradat al-Mutaradifah fi "Kitab al-Alfaz: al-Kitabah wa al-Ta'bir" li Ibn al-Marzuban al-Bahith

The Meanings of Synonymous Words in “Kitab Al-‘Alfaz: Al-Kitabah wa Al-Ta’bir by Ibn al-Marzuban al-Bahith

Abstract

The old lexical meaning refers to the definitions of synonymous words as found in historical dictionaries, whereas the modern lexical meaning pertains to the definitions provided in contemporary dictionaries. This research aims to examine the semantics of synonyms in Ibn al-Marzuban's book Writing and Expression, focusing on both the old and modern lexical meanings within their contextual usage. It also seeks to analyze selected synonyms through the consultation of historical dictionaries and lexicons. A comparative analysis between the old and modern lexical meanings will be conducted, alongside an exploration of the meanings of individual words within their contextual phrases. Studying employs a descriptive and analytical approach. Findings indicate that, in the chapter on congratulations and gifts, the vocabulary associated with phrases such as pious and God-fearing reveals semantic meanings that vary according to context. Similarly, expressions like happy and praiseworthy, auspicious and blessed, good and dear, as well as supporter and helper and supporter and burden, demonstrate nuanced differences in meaning. In the section addressing responses to condolences and affliction, the word spreading appears in various expressions, including nor healing of her wound, nor filling of her breach, nor mending of her fracture, nor patching of her tear, and nor worse for her words. These expressions convey similar or closely related meanings. In the section on gratitude, several phrases such as and he is more deserving of praise refer to meanings that are similar but articulated with different words, potentially carrying distinct lexical or contextual connotations. Additionally, in the section on excuses, the phrase my sin, even if it is great encompasses multiple meanings, which are discussed in light of their lexical semantic context.