Ibn Makki Al-Siqilli (501 AH) and the Theory of Error Analysis In the Light of his Book “tathqif allisan watalqih aljinan”

Abstract

Abstract

This research monitors the approach of Ibn Makki Al-Siqli (501 AH) in analyzing the linguistic errors that are widespread in the language of the common people in Sicily, in the light of the theory of error analysis, which is one of the modern western theories, where Ibn Makki Al-Siqli collected the errors that were common in the language of the people of Sicily, and they used it in their linguistic performance. So, he collected its material, from the linguistic user on their tongues, as he listened to the speech of the people of Sicily, the common people and the elites in his era, which is the fifth century AH; Believing that this knowledge is taken from the mouths, and when Ibn Makki finished collecting his material, he classified it in an unprecedented way, described it in a precise description, and analyzed it linguistically, which made his book “tathqif allisan watalqih aljinan” meet the foundations of the theory of analyzing modern linguistic errors. Including: choosing a sample for research and study, linguistic terminology indicating errors, identifying, and specifying errors, classifying them, describing them, explaining the reasons for their occurrence, and correcting them, and other things that prove the precedence of Arab scholars - especially Ibn Makki Al-Saqili - to deal with linguistic errors, and put them in the main features for its study method. He has crystallized the foundations of the error analysis approach and its various procedures in a clear manner that surpasses that of the scholars who preceded him, who dealt with this phenomenon.

This research aims to answer the following questions:

1. Does the foundations of this modern theory have an existence that can be deduced from the ancient Arab heritage?
2. What approach did Ibn Makki Al-Siqli rely on in his observation and analysis of the errors prevalent in Sicily and his accuracy in doing so?
3. What is the extent of intellectual compatibility between what Ibn Makki Al-Siqilli mentioned and what was mentioned by the proponents of this modern theory in the West?