The Names of the Wind by for Khalawayh: A Semantic Study in Light of Analytical Theory

Abstract

This study examines “Names of the Winds” for Ibn Khalawayh from the perspective of the analytical theory to reveal the cultural dimensions of the names of the wind, in a semantic conception that clarifies the relationship between language, environment, and culture among Arabs, and to identify those features in terms of their stability, change, or recurrence. It intends to identify the semantic pattern of naming the wind according to Ibn Khalawayh, and the features that distinguish it. The study employs a descriptive-analytical method, applying the principles of analytical semantics and pragmatic dimensions to understand and name the winds.  Results of the study show naming as a historical document reflecting the linguistic awareness among the Arabs in naming wind terms, and as an early foundation of semantic field theory. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating lexical, contextual, and cultural information in classifying and analyzing word meanings.