The Problem of Terminology in Linguistics and Semiotics: A Study of Concepts and an Inquiry into the Causes of Disruption

Abstract

No doubt, there is a significant disturbance in the use of linguistic and critical terminology in the Arab world, especially between Eastern and Maghreb scholars (a recent term referring to countries of the Arab Maghreb to clarify and avoid confusion between "Maghreb" and "Maghrib"). This applies also between Maghrebi and non-Maghrebi perspectives, and among Eastern scholars themselves from another standpoint. There are many reasons for this, some of which we attempt to discuss in this short article. This confusion sometimes reaches bewildering levels in terms of divergence and variation in the use of linguistic, critical, and semiotic terminology across contemporary Arabic scholarly writings.