An examination of triptote and diptote from the viewpoint of Sharif Jurjani and Razi Astar Abadi

The commentary of Mir Sayyed Sharif Jurjani on Ibn Hajib’s Kafaya is the most valid Persian commentary on this grammar book. Jurjani has expressed the Arabic grammar principles through an eloquent and simple language, yet in a robust and logical style. The discussion of triptote and diptote is among the most elaborate and complex topics of Arabic grammar. However, Jurjani has discussed different dimensions of this topic and has presented the opinions of different grammarians. Although Jurjani has been greatly affected by Razi Astar Abadi in style and content, but as he has had a logical mind, has been equipped with sufficient amount of knowledge in Arabic grammar, has had independent opinions, and has been a capable scholar in using analogical inferences, this effect has been a positive one which has added to the scientific and technical values of his commentary. This article presents Jurjani’s discussion of triptote and diptote and then, compares it with Razi’s assertions so as to present a vivid illustration of both commentators’ viewpoints. Through this comparative examination of the two Persian and Arabic commentaries, the lovers of Persian language can get familiar with the ideas of these two Iranian scholars regarding this discussion and its different dimensions. Moreover, in order to make it easy for the readers to understand the materials, the Arabic text of Razi’s commentary has been translated into Persian, and the Persian text of Jurjani’s commentary has been paraphrased in most cases.