ALA Magazine examines Arabic between heritage and modernity

Arabisation, word nuances, and lexical studies

This issue features a variety of linguistic and lexical research, with a focus on Arabization, semantic subtleties between similar terms, and the complexities of modern language use. It includes deep readings of classical texts, aiming to highlight the richness and expressiveness of Arabic literature and heritage.

Exploring Quranic expression and interpretation

Under the "Views on Quranic Expression" section, the magazine presents several analytical studies. These include a thematic interpretation of the verse “God is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth,” an exploration of the use of Arabic letters and their semantic orientations according to Ibn Ashur, and an aesthetic analysis of Qur’anic storytelling that examines how abstract meanings are transformed into vivid imagery. Another study investigates the historical development and semantic role of punctuation in Qur’anic verses.

Linguistic differences and modernisation of terminology

The issue also delves into linguistic differences, such as the contrast between the concepts of sensing and spying, showing how one implies positive intent while the other is viewed as intrusive. Additional studies address the Arabization of modern device names and technological terms, the formation of the verb “Ra’a” in dialects versus classical usage, and an academic debate on the existence of true synonymy among linguists.

Lexical innovation and challenges

In the "Lexicons" section, a historical and semantic study traces the root (Q.R.A.) and its evolving meanings. A comprehensive file examines the challenges of developing a modern Arabic dictionary, focusing on how to define, accept, and standardize newly coined terms while balancing linguistic authenticity and common usage.

Books, rhetorical analysis, and literary interpretation

The magazine's Books and Studies section includes a scholarly look at rhetorical excellence in the Encyclopedia of Rhetorical Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, and a detailed examination of the unique prose style of Abu Sa’d al-Nirmani. Other features explore grammar in the interpretations of Al-Farra’, the journey of textual corrections in Arabic heritage, and highlights from the winners of the Sharjah Award for Linguistic and Lexical Studies. The section also features a curated selection of poems by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr bin Khalid al-Qasimi under the title “The Good in Poetics.”

Literature, storytelling, and heritage

In the areas of literature and criticism, the magazine revisits traditional Arabic literary criticism through topics such as literary committees in Arab heritage and stories from the Souq Ukaz. It also examines philosophical and artistic elements in the story of Hayy ibn Yaqzan, the representation of desert landscapes in the poetry of Abdul Aziz Saud Al-Babtain, and a literary reading of “The Heron” as a symbol of place and beauty. The issue revisits the proverb “Sinmar’s Reward,” rooted in the tale of a builder punished despite his excellence.

Celebrating notable Arabic figures

The "Arab Notables" section features biographical profiles of Ibn Malik al-Andalusi and al-Khalil al-Farahidi, exploring their lives and contributions to Arabic linguistics. It also presents a critical analysis of how biographies can sometimes distort history, using Ibn Sidah and his work Al-Muhkam fi al-Lughah as a case study.

Final reflections on creativity and language

The issue concludes with a study of Abdullah al-Sheikh al-Basheer’s approach to analyzing poetry through historical corpus research, as well as an article exploring the emerging genre of Artificial Intelligence literature and its implications for human creativity.

This edition reaffirms the Academy's commitment to bridging Arabic’s classical foundations with modern linguistic evolution, offering a comprehensive look at how the language continues to adapt while preserving its cultural essence.