Particularism and Universalism in the Linguistic Theory of Saadia Gaon

Abstract

As the originator a nd generator of the discipline of grammar in Hebrew, Saadia Gaon (882-942) was dependent on Arabic grammatical scholarship. He followed the Arabs' linguistic thought and approach to language, and from them he borrowed much of his grammatical method and terminology, applying it with the necessary changes to Hebrew. He was the author of the first Hebrew grammar Kitāb faṣīḥ luḡat al-‛ibrāniyyīn, which he laid down the foundations of Hebrew grammatical structure. His universal approach made itself manifest by his language comparison, a field in which he was a pioneer surpassing his Arab models. He focussed his attention to linguistic traits common to all languages, specifically to those of his own cultural milieu: Hebrew, Arabic and Aramaic. Saadia also showed his familiarity with the contemporary theories regarding the origin of language. However, even there, where the Arabs had attained considerable accomplishments, he went a few steps beyond them and showed his originality.