Structure & Contents

Introduction

• Preface: The dictionary typically opens with a preface explaining the methodology used, the scope of the work, and the approach taken to represent Modern Standard Arabic.
• Abbreviations: Common abbreviations used throughout the dictionary, such as grammatical terms, parts of speech, and markers for singular/plural forms, are explained here.

Main Body: Entries

• The dictionary organizes entries by root (the three-letter root system typical of Semitic languages), which is the primary way to navigate the vocabulary.
• Each entry includes:
  • The root in Arabic (in the script),
  • Transliteration of the root,
  • Lexical forms derived from the root (main word entries),
  • Definitions and translations in English.
• Part of Speech: Each entry is marked with its part of speech, such as verb, noun, adjective, etc.
• Example Sentences: Many entries provide example sentences to illustrate the usage of words.
• Verb Forms: When applicable, the dictionary shows conjugation patterns of verbs, including forms of the verb in various tenses and moods.

Subsections and Features

• Pronunciation: The dictionary uses a system of diacritical marks (vowel marks) for accurate pronunciation. While diacritics are not used in regular Arabic texts, this feature is crucial for learners.
• Arabic Script and Transliteration: Each word is presented in its original Arabic script, followed by its transliteration in Latin characters, helping readers who are still learning Arabic script.
• Variants: If there are variations in usage or meaning between different Arabic dialects (e.g., Egyptian vs. Levantine), they may be noted in certain entries.
• Derivatives: The dictionary provides derivatives (e.g., verb forms, nouns, adjectives) from the root, allowing users to understand how words evolve and transform from the same root.

Additional Features

• Indexes:
  • Arabic-English Index: An alphabetical listing of Arabic words that are used in the dictionary. This allows users to find a specific word when searching for an Arabic term directly.
  • English-Arabic Index: The reverse index allows users to search for English words and locate the corresponding Arabic term or root.
• Conjugation Tables: For verbs, the dictionary often includes conjugation tables for major verb forms, indicating the different conjugations across various tenses and persons.

Root Structure

• The dictionary follows the traditional root-based system in which Arabic words are grouped by their triliteral roots (three consonants). For example, the root "k-t-b" generates words related to writing, such as:
  • Kitāb (book),
  • Maktab (office),
  • Kātib (writer), etc.
• There are approximately 15,000 roots used to generate the entries in the dictionary.

Verb Conjugation

• One of the most important features for learners is the inclusion of verb conjugations. The dictionary includes common verb forms (e.g., Form I, Form II, etc.), and for each verb form, the dictionary often provides:
  • Conjugation tables for all persons (1st, 2nd, 3rd person) and numbers (singular, dual, plural) in all tenses (past, present, future).
  • Verbal nouns and derived forms of verbs.

Vocabulary and Focus

• The vocabulary of the dictionary is focused on Modern Standard Arabic as it is used in:
  • Literature,
  • Media,
  • Formal speech, and
  • Academic contexts.
• While the dictionary includes words from Classical Arabic, its emphasis is on the modern usage of Arabic, so it may not include extremely archaic or rare words found only in older texts.
• It contains around 13,000 entries (depending on the edition).

Other Features

• Phrases and Idioms: Some entries include useful idiomatic expressions or common phrases, reflecting colloquial and standard usage.
• Glossary: In addition to the main dictionary entries, there may be a small glossary or list of grammatical terms used throughout the dictionary.

Strong Points of the Book

How does this dictionary simplify Arabic translation? Here’s how it is structured:

• Root-based System: Unlike alphabetic dictionaries, this one organizes words by their three-letter Arabic roots. Arabic words typically derive from trilateral (three-consonant) roots, making this system highly efficient for understanding word formations. By learning a single root, users can decipher various word forms derived from it, aiding in both vocabulary building and grammatical comprehension.

• Extensive Definitions: Provides multiple meanings, synonyms, and examples. Many Arabic words carry multiple meanings depending on context, and Hans Wehr carefully differentiates between them. It includes synonyms and usage examples, helping users select the correct meaning based on linguistic and cultural nuances.

• Modern Standard Arabic Focus: Prioritizes contemporary Arabic usage. Unlike older lexicons that emphasize classical Arabic, Hans Wehr caters specifically to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), the form used in government, media, and education. This makes it a practical choice for students and professionals engaging with current Arabic texts.

• Transliteration Guide: Assists non-native speakers in pronunciation. Arabic script can be challenging for beginners, and Hans Wehr includes a detailed transliteration system. This feature helps English speakers correctly pronounce Arabic words without necessarily reading the Arabic script.

• Abbreviation & Symbols: Helps users quickly navigate meanings. The dictionary employs a system of abbreviations and symbols to indicate grammatical roles, linguistic categories, and special usages. This makes it more user-friendly for linguists and learners alike, allowing for faster lookup and understanding.
  
  

Impact & Legacy

Criticism of the Book

Despite its excellence, does this Arabic and English dictionary have shortcomings?

• Limited Classical Arabic Coverage: Some argue it prioritizes modern terms over classical ones.
• Difficult for Beginners: The root-based system requires prior Arabic knowledge.
• Transliteration Issues: Some entries lack phonetic consistency.
  
  

Comparison with Other Similar Books

How does it compare to other Arabic dictionaries?

• Lane Lexicon: Classical Arabic is given more attention than MSA. The Arabic-English Lexicon by Edward William Lane is one of the most comprehensive dictionaries for Classical Arabic. Because it covers both the poetic and historical usage of Arabic words, it is highly regarded for its depth. However, learners concentrating on Modern Standard Arabic will find it less useful as it emphasizes older texts and does not use modern terminology.

• Oxford Arabic Dictionary: Both Arabic-to-English and English-to-Arabic sections are included. This all-inclusive resource, created by Oxford University Press, serves both professionals and students. It is more helpful for English speakers who need to translate into Arabic because it also has an English-to-Arabic section, unlike Hans Wehr, which is only Arabic-to-English. Although some learners find the root-based system more effective, it does not employ it, despite having modern vocabulary and phrases that are pertinent to modern usage.

• Al-Mawrid Dictionary: Contains modern jargon but falls short of Hans Wehrs scholarly depth. Among the most widely used Arabic-English dictionaries in the Arab world is this one, which was written by Rohi Baalbaki. Modern slang and colloquial expressions are included in its extensive usage for everyday translation. However, it is less helpful for advanced Arabic studies and linguistic research because it lacks the thorough morphological analysis found in Hans Wehr.
  
  
  

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Its Role in Linguistics

Arabic Dictionary with English Meaning – Why It Matters

Al-Fusha Arabic – The Literary Standard

Arabic Written in English – Transliteration & Its Challenges

Final Ruling

1. What is the most reliable Arabic dictionary?
2. What is the biggest Arabic dictionary?
3. What is the meaning of almaany in Arabic?
4. Who wrote the first Arabic dictionary?
5. What is the most respected dictionary in the world?
6. What is the purest Arabic?
7. What is the hardest Arabic word?

Do you also have questions? Or curious about where you can download the book, read the book online, or buy the book online? Or want to add something more to the review above and give responses? You can write a comment below.