Arabic grammar in its formative age

the long version

This volume deals with the numerous grammatical passages included in the voluminous Kitab al-'Ayn, the earliest Arabic dictionary (8th century). This material is isolated and classified according to its various grammatical categories and then analyzed, taking due account of the current knowledge of the state of Arabic grammar in its early stage of development. The much disputed attribution of Kitab al-'Ayn to Halil b. Ahmad is reconsidered from the vantage point of this grammatical material. This reconsideration involves a critical study of the vast medieval literature about Halil's personality and the question of attribution of this early Arabic dictionary.