A review of manuscripts in the National Library of Algeria by Algerian authors on topics of language, rhetoric, and grammar -1-

Abstract

The intellectual life in Algeria before the French occupation was distinguished by its richness and the wide spread of its centers, which served as beacons of knowledge and scholars. These manuscripts were selected to showcase examples of contributions by linguists, rhetoricians, and grammarians from different eras, utilizing the original reservoir for production. The first manuscript by Abd al-Rahman al-Tha'alibi on language is a glossary explaining unfamiliar words in the interpretation of 'Al-Jawahir al-Hasan.' He compiled it after completing the interpretation in glossary form, yet it still requires attention from lexicographers to reorganize its entries in a modern format, following the approach of traditional dictionaries, to make it accessible to linguists. As for the rhetorical manuscripts, they include copies of texts and explanations of 'Al-Jawhar al-Maknun fi al-Balagha' by al-Akhfash in meanings, eloquence, and literary excellence, as well as another manuscript by Muhammad al-Thaghrī based on al-Akhfash.