Abu Hilal Al-Askari's Theory on Linguistic Differences: An Applied Study on Al-Rumani's Book of Synonymous Words with Similar Meanings

Abstract

The study aimed to identify Abu Hilal Al-Askari's theory on linguistic differences as an applied study on Al-Rumani's book Synonymous Words with Similar Meanings. This was done by examining the different uses of two words intended to differentiate between their meanings, distinguishing between the words based on the letters that govern the verbs, differentiating between the words based on the resulting meanings, and finally, distinguishing between the words based on the form of the word and how it differentiates from other similar words.

The study reached to a set of recommendations, most notably: Abu Hilal used the method of "linguistic usage" to differentiate between two words; he pointed out that one of the ways to differentiate between two words is to consider the letters that govern the verbs; he mentioned that one of the criteria for differentiating between two words is to look at the resulting meaning of each; and he considered that the difference in morphological form of each word leads to a difference in meaning, which is also one of the methods used by Abu Hilal to distinguish between words.

Keywords: Abu Hilal Al-Askari's Theory, Linguistic Differences, Book of Synonymous Words with Similar Meanings, Differentiation between Two Words, Linguistic Usage, Letters Governing Verbs, Difference in Morphological Form, Difference in Meaning, Distinguishing between Words.