Lexical Collocation and its Manifestations in the Dictionary of Synonyms and Homonyms -A Descriptive Analytical Reading-

Abstract

Lexical collocation is a universal linguistic phenomenon found across all languages. This study investigates its occurrence in the Arabic language through an analysis of the Dictionary of Synonyms and Homonyms by Father Raphael Nakhla, a Jesuit scholar. The research defines lexical collocation, categorizes its various types, and analyzes examples from the dictionary to identify its manifestations and patterns. A descriptive methodology is employed to observe and classify the phenomenon, alongside analytical tools used to examine selected examples in detail.

The study concludes that lexical collocation is a salient feature of the Arabic lexicon, appearing in two primary forms: conventional collocations commonly used by the general public, and unconventional collocations predominantly found in the works of distinguished literati, particularly from a semantic perspective. Structurally, collocations are manifested in two main forms: nominal compounds and verbal compounds.