A Theorem Of Furuq In Language and The Method Of Ebu Hilal Al-Askeri In Approaching Words

Abstract

Verbal communication and language are two distinguishing characteristics that make human beings superior to other creatures. Nowadays, it is not known exactly how much the language used by human beings has changed independently. Some studies argue that the majority of modern languages have a common ancestor. On the other hand, while some languages contain many structural sounds, some others contain complex words. Besides, some languages consist of very simple words. The inflow of words from outside, the difference in pronunciation, the fact that each country has its specific dialect, the use of a word based on its figurative meaning, or the words immigrating from one language to another are among the most important factors leading to synonymy in a language. In Arabic, the word “Furûq” is the plural form of the work "fark”, and it refers to the interpretation of the semantic difference between two or more-word groups between which a synonymic relationship exists. "Difference‟‟ refers to the characteristic that distinguishes one thing from the other. The present study addresses the notion of synonymy in language based on the „‟difference theorem‟‟ developed by Ebû Hilâl al-Askerî. The study has concluded that words handled in the notion of synonymy in a language have close meanings when looking at their etymon, and there are differences between them in terms of quality and quantity such as meaning, sense, degree, measure, quantity, or size. According to Ebû Hilâl al-Askerî, it is necessary to examine the use of two words in sentences, consider the adjective, infinitive and opposite forms of those words, see how they have been derived, and look into the practical and lexical meanings to determine the synonymous and antonymous shades in the meanings of these words. For this reason, the phenomenon of "synonymy" in language narrows and depresses it. The present study that addresses this problem in language aims to provide new insights into the subject and contribute to the current body of literature.