Harîrî's approach to lahn

Arab linguists conducted studies on determination of grammar rules and compilation of vocabulary to preserve the Arabic language. One of the fields of these studies was the studies on lahn (language mistakes) that aim to expose the misuses in language and to determine the proper uses and establish those in the public practice. One of the works that were written with the abovementioned aim was Harîrî's oeuvre titled "Durretu'l-gavvâs fî evhâmi'l-havâs". In the present study that aimed to determine Harîrî's approach to change and development in the language and compare the methodology and content in Durre with other studies in the literature, definitions of the concepts of language and lahn were addressed and the emergence of these concepts and related topics were discussed. The studies on lahn that were accessed were reviewed based on methodology and content to determine the perspective and contribution of Durre to the field. Harîrî's approach to lahn was indicated based on the samples provided in Durre. The approaches of Arab linguists to the misuses compiled in Durre were determined and Harîrî's claims were examined with a critical approach based on the general use and basic principles of the Arabic language. Finally, other works of Harîrî were scrutinized and tested for consistency with his approach in Durre. Study findings demonstrated that there were differences between the of Harîrî and certain other linguists. It was observed that these differences were due to the foundations and criteria adopted in determination of misuses, as well as the adopted grammar school by the authors. It was also determined that Harîrî used certain phrases that he considered wrong in his other works, contradicting his own approach.