Towards a consistent neutral Arabic equivalence of the English base verb form in print and electronic bilingual lexicography: a contrastive semantic study

Lexicographic definition of verb forms is central to bilingual dictionaries in as far as they are learners’ dictionaries. Conventional dictionaries in their print and electronic forms and more recent online dictionaries and platforms are accredited a reliable status as linguistic references by L1 and L2 users. Based on rules of monolingual and E/A bilingual lexicographic definition of main entry verb forms (Haas,1964; Zgusta 1971; Landau, 2001) and grammatical info-types of entry verb forms (Bogaards, 2002; 2004), the present study registers observations about the Arabic verb forms used as equivalents to entry English BVF’s in two print dictionaries available in free-access electronic pdf. versions and the online Google.dictionary. With a view to ascertain an objective headword selection, twenty entry base verb forms, as alphabetically listed in two distinct letters of each of the selected three dictionaries, are subject to a non-probability sample examination. To ensure uniformity of search results, search invariables are set for the main entries summoned via the Google.dictionary translate-into-language function. Objectives of the study are to reach out to a correct and proper Arabic equivalent verb form, and to examine in/consistency of using a common standard equivalent Arabic verb form in main/sub entries and embedded examples within the lexical units under investigation, and, henceforth, to show the possibility of user’s confusion in subsequent L1 /L2 active and/or passive reproduction. Time reference of lexicographic definition is shown to be fit for all time. The contrastive semantic study shows: aspect and time reference of entry BVF’s and to-infinitive forms indicate a timeless type ( Quirk and Greenbaum,1973; Kharma, 1983; Dahl, 1985; Leech, 2004( ; neutrality of time reference is evidenced to be a general aspectual property of the context-free Arabic 2.S.F; a general past time reference is associated to the 1.S.F (Haron, 1988 Hasan, 1999; as-Sa:merra:?iyy, 2000; Hassaan, 2000). Sample analysis observes a consistent use of Arabic 2.S.F in al-Mawrid equivalent entries, subentries and embedded examples. A prevailing use of 1.S.F is monitored throughout Oxford English Arabic Dictionary and the Google.dictionary, with intermingles of both Arabic forms within equivalent senses and embedded examples in the lexical units of sample entries; -ed forms within OEAD embedded examples also receive 1.S.F equivalents; linguistic insecurity and L1/L2 user’s confusion is expected in consequence.