Elie Kallas: Intimate Songs from the MS. Vatican Arabic 366.
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Elie Kallas: Intimate Songs from the MS. Vatican Arabic 366.
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Heikki Palva
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Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Elie Kallas: Intimate Songs from the MS. Vatican Arabic 366.
Year: 2008 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.7385
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The reviews discuss significant contributions to the study of Arabic dialects and linguistics through the works of Lidia Bettini and Elie Kallas. Bettini’s collection of Bedouin women’s narratives is acknowledged as a valuable resource for understanding Arabic dialects and oral literature, while Kallas’s analysis of the manuscript "Intimate Songs from the MS. Vatican Arabic 366" reveals insights into the linguistic and cultural dimensions of Arabic song traditions. Both works underscore the complexity and richness of Arabic as spoken across different regions and eras.
Dialectal Evidence in Kallas's Analysis
Kallas's examination of the manuscript reveals crucial information about the linguistic features of Arabic during the Ottoman period, particularly distinguishing between Syrian and Egyptian dialects. He concludes the author of the songs was likely a speaker of Egyptian Arabic based on unique grammatical features and vocabulary, such as the use of the personal pronoun "Pehna" and the short demonstrative pronoun "daldi." Kallas’s analysis indicates that the songs reflect a mixture of artistic norms, blending standard and colloquial varieties, which supports Jerome Lentin's hypothesis of a dialectal Levantine koine emerging during the Mamluk period. This dialectal blending is significant in understanding the linguistic evolution within the Arabic-speaking world.
Conclusion
Both Bettini's and Kallas's works contribute richly to the field of Arabic linguistics and cultural studies. They provide ample linguistic data and artistic context, reflecting the intricate tapestry of Arabic dialects and their evolution over time. Such studies not only enhance our understanding of Arabic language and literature but also encourage further research into the sociolinguistic dynamics of the Arabic-speaking regions. Through careful analysis of these narratives and songs, scholars can gain insights into the historical and cultural factors that have shaped Arabic dialects and literary forms.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of Lidia Bettini's collection?
Lidia Bettini's extensive collection focuses on Bedouin women's narratives, offering substantial contributions to the study of Arabic dialects, oral literature, and folklore, while presenting rich, well-documented linguistic data.
What conclusions did Elie Kallas draw about the authorship of the songs?
Elie Kallas concluded that the manuscript's author was likely a non-Muslim commissioned by a wealthy non-native Arabic speaker to compile erotic songs, based on linguistic features and the manuscript's presentation.
What impact did Kees Versteegh have on Arabic linguistics?
Kees Versteegh is recognized for significant contributions to Arabic linguistics, including numerous publications and editorial work, impacting various areas, particularly the study of Arabic grammar and linguistic history.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Elie Kallas: Intimate Songs from the MS. Vatican Arabic 366.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Linguistics:
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. In the text, it refers to the academic field that includes the study of Arabic linguistics. The book by Heikki Palva is considered a significant contribution to this field.
2) Language:
Language is a system of communication used by a community. The text discusses the Arabic language, its dialects, and the specific linguistic features present in manuscripts discussed in the reviews.
3) Book:
A book is a compilation of pages bound together containing written or printed material. The text reviews several scholarly books on Arabic dialects and manuscripts, emphasizing their contributions to linguistics and literature.
4) Dialect:
A dialect is a regional or social variation of a language. The text mentions Bedouin women's narratives and Egyptian and Syrian dialects, highlighting their linguistic characteristics.
5) Syria (Syrian):
Syria is a country in the Middle East. The text mentions the dialectal variations within Syria and its influence on Arabic manuscripts and songs from different historical periods.
6) Grammar:
Grammar is the set of rules that govern the structure of sentences in a language. The text mentions Heikki Palva's contributions to Arabic grammar and linguistic studies.
7) Hadi:
[see source text or glossary: Hadi]
8) Arabic language:
The Arabic language is the central focus of the text, specifically its dialects, historical evolution, and linguistic characteristics. The text reviews significant works that contribute to understanding the Arabic language.
9) Gold (Golden):
Gold is a precious metal. In the text, it appears in the phrase 'keys of the room in which the gold is,' used in an example of definite nouns followed by relative clauses.
10) Literature:
Literature refers to written works considered as art. The text discusses the manuscripts and songs as important materials for the study of oral literature and folklore in Arabic.
11) Similarity:
[see source text or glossary: Similarity]
12) Existence:
[see source text or glossary: Existence]
13) Metrics (Metric):
Metrical pertains to the rhythmic structure of verses in poetry. The text mentions metrical analysis, indicating that Kallas studied the syllable structures in the poetic forms of the songs.
14) Network:
[see source text or glossary: Network]
15) Nature:
[see source text or glossary: Nature]
16) Speech:
Speech refers to the expression of thoughts and feelings via spoken language. The text contrasts the written form of Arabic with the vernacular speech found in the manuscripts.
17) Tongue:
Tongue is a synonym for language. The text uses it to discuss the 'mother tongue' and linguistic characteristics of the author of the Arabic manuscript.
18) Erotic (Eroticism):
Erotic refers to explicit descriptions of sexual themes. The text describes the songs in Kallas’ manuscript as having obscene character, which led to limited translations.
19) Egypt:
Egypt is a country in North Africa. The text refers to the Egyptian dialect of Arabic spoken by the author of the discussed manuscript and compares it to Syrian Arabic.
20) Citta (Chitta):
Citta, meaning 'city' in Italian, refers to the Vatican City where the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana is located, which published Elie Kallas' manuscript.
21) Rasa (Rasha):
[see source text or glossary: Rasha]
22) River:
River refers to a natural watercourse. The text mentions the Jagjag River in the context of linguistic features reported by Behnstedt in the Arabic dialects along its banks.
23) Woman (Women):
Women are the female human beings. The text reviews a collection of Bedouin women's narratives, highlighting their contributions to the study of Arabic dialects and oral literature.
24) Smoke:
[see source text or glossary: Smoke]
25) Court:
Court refers to the residence of a royal family or the place where judicial matters are decided. The text mentions Mamluk sultans hiring court-zajjals for entertainment.
26) Anna:
[see source text or glossary: Anna]
27) Vida:
Vida pertains to Levi della Vida, who described the language in one of the reviewed manuscripts as 'lingua volgare (dialetto di Siria)'.
28) Padi:
Padi is used in reference to the presentative 'Padi' in the Egyptian Arabic manuscript, indicating a feature distinct from Syrian Arabic.
29) Anic:
[see source text or glossary: Anic]
30) Pari:
[see source text or glossary: Pari]
31) Poem:
A poem is a literary piece written in verse. The text includes analysis of the metrical and linguistic characteristics of the erotic songs, which are a form of poem.