Interpretation in Arabic Grammatical Theory

Abstract

Abstract: This study explores the phenomenon of Taweel in the Arab linguistic tradition, highlighting its conceptual, historical, and methodological dimensions with particular emphasis on grammar. It defines Taweel linguistically and terminologically, outlines its development from early to modern scholarship, and identifies its related terminology in the linguistic heritage. The findings reveal that Taweel is not limited to linguistic inquiry but is rooted in broader intellectual history, linked to the interpretation of sacred texts and the safeguarding of doctrinal principles. Within Arabic grammar, Taweel emerged as a methodological necessity rather than an intellectual luxury, necessitated by linguistic phenomena that seemed to contradict established rules and motivated by the interpretation of Qur’anic texts and the preservation of grammatical consistency.The study further examines mechanisms of Taweel, such as ellipsis and implicit constructions, concluding that it was a vital tool that enabled grammarians to construct a coherent and systematic framework, ultimately establishing itself as a cornerstone of Arabic linguistic thought.