The Phoneme and Its Impact on Meaning Variation in the Diwan of Al-Rusafi Al-Balansi

Abstract

The linguistic sound (phoneme) is the cornerstone of linguistic structure, as phonemes represent the smallest phonetic units that differentiate words and form meanings. Although a phoneme does not carry an independent meaning of its own, its alteration within a word can lead to a radical shift in significance, demonstrating the profound relationship between sound and meaning. From this perspective, the study of phonemes has become a fundamental issue in modern linguistics, particularly when applied to literature. This is especially true for poetry, which is the literary genre most reliant on phonetic resonance, rhythm, and intonation to construct meaning. In light of this, this research investigates the phoneme and its impact on meaning variation in the poetry of Al-Rusafi Al-Balansi. It serves as a phonetic-semantic approach aimed at uncovering the role of phonemes in shaping poetic meaning—not merely through lexical denotation, but also through the aesthetic and suggestive impressions sounds leave on the recipient. The research adopts Al-Rusafi Al-Balansi’s poetry as a field of application due to the poet's linguistic ingenuity and highly refined phonetic sensibilities. This mastery is evident in his exquisite word selection, employment of rhythm, and the deliberate repetition of consonants and vowels to serve the meaning and enrich the text.