Phonological Theories in Kitab Sibawehi

Abstract

Kitab Sibawayhi is a monumental work in the realm of linguistic thought and a treasury of Arabic
linguistic heritage. It bears witness to the author’s mastery and rigorous control of its foundational
principles, as well as his ability to penetrate its intricate secrets — an achievement difficult to match in
either the earlier or later periods. This study is a modest attempt to clarify some of the linguistic theories
contained within, focusing on one of the most important aspects of language: the phonetic dimension.
The research begins with an introduction presenting the topic and outlining the plan. It then proceeds to
trace the historical trajectory of Arabic phonetics. The first section discusses the sounds of Arabic as
presented in Kitab Sibawehi. The second section addresses the articulation points of sounds in the work,
as well as the disagreement between Sibawayhi and his teacher al-Khalil regarding this topic. The final
section examines the phonetic properties of the sounds mentioned by Sībawayhi. The study concludes
with a closing section that summarises the most important findings.