Arabic Grammar between Structure and Meaning: A Study in Contextual and Rhetorical Origins

Abstract

This article examines the integrative vision established by classical Arabic grammarians between linguistic structure and meaning. It argues that Arabic grammar, as formulated by Sibawayh and al-Jurjānī, was not a merely formal system but an epistemological framework seeking to explain linguistic phenomena through speakers’ intentions and contextual appropriateness. The study highlights how early grammarians viewed iʿrāb as a vehicle of meaning rather than a mechanical marker, and how they treated phenomena such as word order variation—particularly fronting and postponement—as rhetorical devices for emphasis and stylistic flexibility. Adopting an analytical and interpretive methodology, the research revisits key grammatical texts to extract underlying principles that resonate with modern linguistic and pragmatic theories. The findings suggest that classical Arabic grammar embodies an early pragmatic awareness, connecting syntactic order with communicative purpose and contextual relevance. Consequently, Arabic grammar emerges as a dynamic, meaning-oriented discipline that harmonizes structural stability with expressive adaptability, offering a sophisticated model for understanding the interplay between language, thought, and discourse context.