More of a grammatical tool than an actual grammar, this Arabic publication of ten ancient treatises on Arabic philology is a useful tool for the student of Arabic who already knows the basics of the language. Originally published in parts in Revue al-Machriq, the treatises spurred the interests of readers in having all ten collected in one place. This second edition of Dix Anciens Traités de Philologie Arabe contains the ten treatises, with footnotes and indexes in a corrected version. Each piece begins with a description of the manuscript and what is known of the author. More than a contribution to grammatical studies, this volume enters into the realm of philology, a precursor to many a dictionary.
August Haffner (1869-1941) studied at the Theological Faculty in Innsbruck and at Munich. After completing his Habilitation and traveling through western Asia, he returned to Innsbruck as professor. He published several works in Arabic studies.
Louis Cheikho (1859-1927) was a Jesuit priest in Lebanon and was one-time director of the Bibliothèque Oriental in Beirut. Fr. Cheikho traveled widely throughout Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Turkey to acquire manuscripts.