الضابط في ضبط الضوابط

Abstract EN

The Arabic grammar theory was based on a set of criteria.

Some of these criteria were declared by the grammarians, but some were implicit within the theory.

It has been well known, in the studies of Arabic grammar theory that Sibawayhi's kitab was the origin of those criteria.

There are three types of criteria in "Al-Kitab' : linguistic, pragmatic, and general criteria.

Attempte to seek for a reasonable answer to this question : what is the criterion which controls other criteria in Al-Kitab ? It seems that Sibawayhi gave priority to the linguistic criterion, especially to the semantic one within the language boundary.

He was most of the time sticking to the meaning correctness.

He also strongly emphasized the pragmatic roles of the speaker, listener and the conext if we looked beyond the pure language boundary.

In addition there were some logical principles which he counted on in some cases.

It seems that Sibawayhi was aware of the diversity of language usages.

He was aware also that this diversity requires a comprehensive and flexible consideration.