Methodology for Arabic Historical Lexicon

Abstract

The study discusses a suggested methodology for Arabic historical lexicon. It shows the methodology of arrangement, content and introduction. It aims to establish a vision for Arabic historical lexicon, depending on the previous historical lexicons, and the Arabic lexicon heritage. The study starts with definitions of the historical lexicon, such as Oxford historical lexicon definition, in order to find an appropriate form and objective for this lexicon. Then it presents the external arrangement after showing the previous and late methodology of Arabic lexicons. After discussing some methodology lexicons, the study found that the arrangement depending on the roots is considered to be the best of this lexicon because it shows large derivations and their variery contexts. The study divides internal arrangement into two parts. The first one horizontally which arranges the words that have the same history while the second arranges the words vertically, from common to private, from sensible to moral, and from real to allegoric meaning. The study displays the contents methodology with regard to both criterial and descriptive methodology. In addition, it explains and adjusts the language content. The study focuses on the language descriptive methodology because the historical lexicon backdates for all the Arabic words and their meaning whether they were formal or colloquial. Colloquial with standard symbols are mentioned in the introduction of the historical lexicon. Finally, the study displays the general characteristics of the lexicon introduction.