دراسة حديثة للفكرة اللسانية لدى ابن خلدون

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to make a modern approach to Ibn Khaldūn’s linguistic thought, especially to reinterpret the conception of al-malakah al-lisānīyah (the linguistic aptitude) which takes the most important position in Ibn Khaldūn's study of language. In an obvious sense, the ultimate goal is a re-interpretation of almalakah al-lisānīyah from a modern linguistic point of view. This approach leads us to recognize the continuance of the method of linguistic study by comparing between Ibn Khaldūn's views of language which were totally developed to his age and some modern linguists' theories, especially the generative transformational theory. In order to accomplish the aim, this paper will, in the second chapter, deal with Ibn Khaldūn's definition of language and compare it with some modern linguists’ definition. In the third chapter, the definition of al-malakah al-lisānīyah will be made with the prescription of its conditions and preconditions. Likewise, the comparison between al-malakah al-lisānīyah and linguistic competence by Chomsky will be made to prove the theoretical relations between them through the language acquisition. This will give us a clear answer to the question we might ask “Why compare al-malakah al-lisānīyah with Chomsky's work rather than alternative models such as those developed by Brame, Bresnan, Gazdar and others?” In the last part, this paper will present the method of Ibn Khaldūn's linguistic study - the descriptive and explanatory method, stressing the necessity of recognizing that his linguistic method was influenced by the historical method.