The Phonological Effect in the Study of Language Semantics: Ibn Jinni's Book of Characteristics as a Model

Abstract

Abstract: This research deals with the phonetic effect and the role it plays in defining linguistic meanings, through the application of Ibn Jinni's Book of Characteristics, who is considered one of the first Arab linguists to take care of the phonetic aspect of the language. The phonetic in meaning has it through several mechanisms, perhaps the most prominent of which are: the effect of intonation, the effect of the sound in terms of its strength and weakness, and the effect of phonetic repetition.

Ibn Jinni uses the terms strength and weakness to describe sounds and explains their effect in determining the meaning of words. They are similar to the terms intensity and softness, as the weakness of the sound means its softness, and its strength means its intensity. Ibn Jinni used the terms strength and weakness and explained their effect on pronunciation in terms of its fluency or heaviness, which affects the meaning. Heaviness of pronunciation makes it undesirable to use words that include it, while the Arab nature inclines toward fluent pronunciation to express its intentions. Phonetic repetition affects the meaning of a word, as the repetition of a sound imparts its characteristics to the word, especially if the repetition weakens the verb's constituent. The same applies to the repetition of a sound in segments, as this indicates the segmentation of the verb.