The Role of the Doha Historical Dictionary in Monitoring the Development of the Meaning of Terms Within Various Terminological Fields: Applied Models
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.12027Keywords:
historical dictionary, Doha Dictionary, semantic evolution, terminology, linguistic studiesAbstract
Objectives: This study examined and analyzed a number of terms from various terminological fields as documented in the Doha Historical Dictionary. It aimed to demonstrate the dictionary’s role in monitoring these terms with respect to their semantic and chronological development, their occurrence in textual evidence, and the connection between technical connotations and linguistic meanings. It also tracked the development of meanings from general linguistic to specific technical usage.
Methods: A descriptive–analytical approach was adopted, beginning with definitions related to the historical dictionary and terminology, followed by analysis of terms extracted from the Doha Historical Dictionary to reach the study’s objectives.
Results: The findings showed that the Doha Historical Dictionary has been valuable in identifying terms used across different fields of knowledge, each indicating a domain-specific aspect. It revealed the historical development of these terms, distinguishing between earlier and later usages, and clarified how meanings shifted from general linguistic connotations to technical connotations. The dictionary also provided textual evidence that illustrated how terms appeared in Arabic sources.
Conclusions: The Doha Historical Dictionary plays a significant role in monitoring terms semantically, historically, and contextually. It serves as a rich corpus for linguistic studies and supports scholarly work in the field of terminology.
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