Lexicography in the Modern Era and General Arabic-Urdu Dictionaries

صناعة المعاجم في العصر الحديث والمعاجم العربية- الأردية العامة

Abstract

The linguistic heritage of certain nations and civilizations, such as the Chinese, Indians, and Arabs, attests to their profound and enduring interest in the preservation and study of their languages. A significant dimension of this interest is reflected in their contributions to lexicography. Among the Arabs, the practice of compiling dictionaries began as early as the first century AH, gradually evolving over subsequent centuries across various regions of the Islamic world, including the Indian subcontinent. While lexicographers in this region have long been engaged in the production of single-language dictionaries, the development of bilingual dictionaries, specifically between Arabic and Urdu, is a more recent phenomenon. Nevertheless, the lexicographers of the subcontinent have produced a considerable number of both general and specialized dictionaries. This research aims to offer a detailed presentation and description of the general Arabic-Urdu dictionaries, excluding translations and electronic dictionaries. It will examine key lexicographical elements such as the type and source of the vocabulary, the organization of roots or words, the arrangement of entries, and the methods of explanation, among other defining features. By doing so, the study seeks to provide a foundational analysis that can serve as a starting point for future in-depth investigations into each dictionary, examining them in the context of modern advancements and technologies in the field of lexicography. Furthermore, it is hoped that this research will inspire the development of both traditional paper and electronic dictionaries that meet the demands of the rapidly evolving contemporary era. The methodology adopted is primarily descriptive, as it is considered the most suitable approach for effectively presenting the core aspects of this type of study.

Keywords: Lexicography, Applied Linguistics, General Dictionaries between Arabic and Urdu, Comparison between Arabic and Urdu