The History of linguistics in the Near East investigates the development and transmission of linguistic thought in the Near East, focusing on a pivotal medieval Arabic grammatical text. This volume analyzes al-Ājurrūmiya, a foundational work from circa 1300, and its subsequent commentary by as-Shirbini, who died in 1570. By presenting the original Arabic text alongside an English translation and detailed annotations, the book aims to illuminate the core principles of indigenous Arabic linguistics for both specialists and newcomers to the field. It seeks to address a significant gap in the historical understanding of linguistic scholarship.

This volume is presented as a scholarly contribution aimed at making accessible the intricacies of indigenous Arabic linguistics. By focusing on a specific, influential medieval text and its commentary, it seeks to fill a perceived void in the historical study of linguistics. The inclusion of original texts, translations, and annotations suggests a work designed for both academic specialists and those with a broader interest in the history of language study. The approach emphasizes detailed textual analysis to illuminate historical linguistic thought.