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The scientific editing of Arabic manuscripts is the process of preparing an accurate and reliable version of an old text based on available manuscript copies and scholarly evidence. The editor should first identify the author, title, date, and authenticity of the manuscript. Then, all available copies should be collected and compared.
The editor selects the most reliable manuscript as the base copy and carefully compares it with other copies. Differences, omissions, additions, and scribal errors are examined using principles of Arabic language, grammar, historical context, and the author's style. Necessary corrections should be supported by evidence and recorded in critical apparatus or footnotes. The editor should also provide an introduction explaining the manuscript's sources, copies, method of editing, and important editorial decisions.
This lecture is part of ARA320 Methods of Research in the Arabic Studies department. The course has 10 recorded lectures across 5 series, all free to watch. Read or download the ARA320 lecture note to study alongside the video.