The Concept of al-Khabīth 'improper' in Sibawayh's Grammar: Its Concept, Contexts, Criteria, and Constraints

Abstract

This research examines the concept of al-Khabīth 'improper' in Sibawayh's grammar. Although this evaluative and categorical judgment appears in limited topics by Sibawayh, it was later addressed by subsequent scholars in a similarly limited manner as well, but it has not received the necessary attention that clarifies its concept and dimensions in Arabic. Therefore, the research aims to clarify this concept linguistically and technically, and seeks to reveal the manifestations and constraints of its use in the Arabic language.

The significance of this study stems from the fact that it addresses a common issue in evaluative grammar, but it has not received its due attention in research. This study is an attempt to explain the aspects of issuing this judgement and its criteria as based on Sibawayh’s notion and the linguists who followed his tradition, as well as the terms that are synonymous in their usage. It also reveals the guidelines for applying this judgment and its connection to prescriptive or aesthetic judgements in linguistics research.

In addition, this paper examines the concept of “improper” and its use in a manner that exposes the linguistic issues that are subject to its authority, identifies scholars’ controls and standards in its application, and explains its connection to the guidelines associated with it in linguistic evaluation.

The researcher adapted the descriptive-analytical approach by tracing the aspects of using this concept, categorizing it into issues, and analyzing it through a review of scholars' opinions on the matters that have been judged as improper.