Türk Akademyasının Arap Dili ve Belagatı Özelinde el-Furûku’l-Lugaviyye ile İlgili Çalışmaları

The term furûq, which is the plural of the Arabic word farq meaning “to separate” or “to divide,” is a fundamental concept in Arabic linguistics. It refers to the subtle semantic differences and nuances between words that appear to be synonymous. Historically, this discipline has been known by various names such as al-farq, mā khālafa fīhi al-insān al-bahīmah (the traits that distinguish humans from animals), and al-furûk. Initially, it was addressed in close conjunction with, and often in opposition to, the phenomenon of tarāduf (synonymy). In early lexical studies, particularly during the period when the first dictionaries were compiled, these fine distinctions were not always clearly delineated. Words were often grouped into broad semantic clusters, causing their intricate differences to be occasionally overlooked. However, the emergence of al-furûq al-lughawiyyah as an autonomous and systematic branch of learning within the history of Arabic semantics and language philosophy was made possible by a period of deep analysis initiated by thinkers like Ibn Arabi, who questioned the philosophical dimension of language. This process led to the development of methodological studies that moved beyond the superficial meanings of words to examine their semantic depths, connotations, contexts of use (siyāq), and the unique conceptual framework each word expressed. This approach emphasized that language is not a static structure but a dynamic, cultural, and contextual system. The science of furûq reached its zenith with the magnificent work of Abū Hilāl al-‘Askarī, al-Furûq fi’l-Lughah, one of the most important classical texts in the field. In this work, al-‘Askarī compared hundreds of word pairs, elucidating their sometimes extremely delicate meaning differences with examples from poetry and proverbs. This study has been recognized as a key reference and a significant area of research by both classical philologists and modern linguistic researchers. This discipline aims not only to compare the dictionary definitions of words but also to explore their usage within cultural, social, religious, philosophical, and psychological contexts, thereby revealing the unique richness and conceptual depth of the Arabic language. The article's focus is to examine the studies on al-furûq al-lughawiyyah in the field of Arabic language and rhetoric in Türkiye from both a bibliographical and thematic perspective. The works examined include postgraduate theses, academic articles, independent books, and scientific proceedings. These studies have not merely been listed in chronological order; they have also been categorized and analyzed according to their subject matter, adopted methodologies, and analytical approaches. For instance, while some studies focus on a specific classical text (such as al-‘Askarī's work), others prefer to analyze specific word pairs in the Qur’an or Hadith texts. Some outline a theoretical framework, while others emphasize practical applications. Consequently, this endeavor attempts to create a general map and inventory of academic research on furûq in Türkiye, identifying which areas have been concentrated on (e.g., furûq in religious texts), which authors have been studied more frequently, and which topics have not yet been sufficiently explored (e.g., semantic differences in modern Arabic literature or dialects). The ultimate aim of the study is to objectively present the current state, trends, and gaps in furûq studies within the Turkish academic literature, and to provide a solid foundation for future high-quality research on this ancient discipline, thereby guiding new researchers. We believe this study will be a significant step forward on the path to understanding the intricacies of the Arabic language.