Arabic-L:LING:Rhyming Dictionary responses

[Dilworth B. Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Fri 04 Aug 2000
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1) Subject: Rhyming Dictionary response
2) Subject: Rhyming Dictionary response
3) Subject: Rhyming Dictionary response

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1)
Date: 04 Aug 2000
From: Muhammad Deeb <mdeeb at gpu.srv.ualberta.ca>
Subject: Rhyming Dictionary response

	Unless there has been recently an attempt to compile a rhyming
dictionary, to the best of my knowledge, there are no such classical
dictionaries.  Some Arab lexicographers, however, arranged their mammoth
dictionaries with the idea of "rhyme" on their minds, and with a view to
helping rhymesters.  This is precisely what al-Fayruuzaabaadhii and
Ibn-ManZuur did in *al-Qaamuus al-MuHiiT* & *Lisaan al- at Arab."  Entries
are arranged in accordance with their rhymes, thus, "rasama" (to draw /
paint) and "basama" (to smile) are looked up under letter "miim."  The
first letter, "r", in (r-s-m) is called "faSl" (section), the last, "m" is
called "baab" (chapter).

	Satisfactory as this might have sounded to the two lexicographers
and Arabic sensibility at the time, this system is rather cumbersome, and
indeed sadistic, esp. with roots of controversial vowel endings.  That is
probably why *Lisaan al- at Arab* has been re-arranged and re-issued in our
more accessible alphabetical order.
					M. Deeb

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2)
Date: 04 Aug 2000
From: alhawar at american.edu
Subject: Rhyming Dictionary response

ahlan yaa Dil,

Of course there are tons of rhyming dictionaries.  The first such
dictionary is Al-SiHaaH, compiled by Al-Jawharii.  Others include Qaamuus
Al-MuHiiT by Al-Fayruuz Aabaadii, lisaan Al-9arab by Ibn ManDHuur, and
taaj al-9aruus by Al-zabiidii.
These are among THE major Arabic dictionary.

By the way, there is an edition of the lisaan Al-9arab that was arranged
by Maazin Al-mubaarak et. al. alphabetically according to the root
system.

best,
Mohammad T. Alhawary

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3)
Date: 04 Aug 2000
From: GnhBos at aol.com
Subject: Rhyming Dictionary response

As an audience, I think Arabic poetry will have to come out of the heart
and guts, and not from a rhyming dictionary.

Once, I saw an Arab poet work and write words on a handkerchief,
in Beirut.

I do not know if ZajaL is considered poetry, but could not imagine
ZaghLool Eddamour looking up in a dictionary, while Zein Sh3ayb
is out rhyming him "LIVE"! This folkloric (Lebanon) form of poetry
is born with the person, it cannot be mechanized.

Best Regards,

George N. Hallak
AramediA Group
761 Adams Street
Boston, MA 02122, USA

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End of Arabic-L: 04 Aug 2000