Errors in Lane's Lexicon
by Elon Harvey
by Elon Harvey
The Arabic-English Lexicon by Edward William Lane (d. 1876) is one of the greatest lexicographical achievements in Arabic and possibly in any language. It is a model of professional and accurate scholarship that still holds up till this day, (at least in the sections which he completed before his death). Some years ago I began compiling a list of "errors" and "inaccuracies" which I encountered over time in this lexicon. As you will see, the mistakes that I found so far are few and usually very minor. This is further testimony to the greatness and timelessness of this erudite work.