أثر صوت الهمزة على إنشاء صورتها الكتابية عند الخليل بن أحمد

Abstract EN

This paper discusses the development of written Arabic orthography, suitability of this development for the purpose it was designed for and the objective dimensions behind the development of written Arabic orthography.

In addition, it attempts to investigate the reasons beyond Alkhalil’s choice of the form of Hamza to resemble a small Arabic “ع“ consonant, while maintaining Hijazi orthography, the consequences of this choice such as the divergence of the spelling rules, and attitudes of early and contemporary scholars towards the form developed by Alkhalil.

The study aims to reveal the reasons that led Alkhalil to write the form of Hamza in its present form, spelling problems that resulted due to this form and suggested solutions that can be adopted to end these spelling problems.

The researcher adopted the descriptive analytical method and concluded that the Arabic orthography followed Hijazi simplified orthographic forms, to which Alkhalil attached the new form of Hamza above vowel letters which are originally modified from Hamza, where it is dropped and vowel letters are maintained on the line.

This form is entirely phonetic rather than orthographic.

In his choice of the current form of the Hamza, Alkhalil relied on the following two phonological facts : pronouncing Hamza in some Arab dialects as “ع“ consonant and its proximity to the sound “ ع“ in the place of articulation.

Therefore, the researcher recommends developing only a single form of Hamza like other consonants.