Browse Tag
Arabic lexicography
6 posts
Arabic lexicography (المعجمية العربية) is the study and practice of compiling Arabic dictionaries, including decisions about word meanings, usage, organization, and documentation.
Inside the Arabic Language Academy’s Race to Finish Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer
Reflecting on his visit to Cairo's Arabic Language Academy, Ambassador Ulric Shannon shares new insights on المعجم الكبير. He breaks down their 90-year progress, the threat of dictionary piracy, and why this lexicon is trapped in print.
Remembering the Architect of Words: The Legacy of Dr. Abdul Ghani Abu Al-Azm
Behind the Arabic words you search for on almaany.com or your favorite dictionary app often lies the lifelong devotion of a single scholar. In March 2026, we bid farewell to Dr. Abdul Ghani Abu Al-Azm (الدكتور عبد الغني أبو العزم), the creator of Al-Ghani Al-Zaher — the unseen bridge connecting the depth of classical Arabic with the pulse of the modern world.
How the Oxford Arabic Dictionary Was Made: A Conversation with Tressy Arts
Tressy Arts, Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Arabic Dictionary, shares insights into compiling the most up-to-date Arabic dictionary. She discusses translation challenges, including tricky words and cultural nuances, and how human expertise and linguistic data shape dictionary entries.
“Being a lexicographer is a lifelong sentence” | Jan Hoogland | 9273 Roots #31
He's the Dutch Arabist whose work forms the core of the legendary Oxford Arabic Dictionary. Jan Hoogland shares the inside story of its creation, his decades-long passion for Morocco and its Darija dialect, and why a single word's entry with 47 collocations is his absolute favorite.
The 5 Greatest Western Scholars of Arabic Grammar
This subjective list features the top five Arabic grammarians from Europe. It highlights pioneers like Edward Lane (Lane's Lexicon) and Hans Wehr, discussing their contributions to Arabic language study and the historical interest in Arabic in the West.
Bedouin Influence on Classical Arabic Grammar and Lexicography
The development of Classical Arabic grammar and early Arabic dictionaries owes much to the Bedouins. Early grammarians considered Bedouins the most authentic speakers of Arabic, relying heavily on their spoken language to codify rules and nuances. This article explores the historical importance of Bedouins in shaping the Arabic language.
