THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JURJI ZAYDAN'S WORKS IN THE SCHOLARLY STUDY OF ARABIC LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

This research examines the scholarly importance of Jurji Zaydan’s works in the development of modern studies on Arabic language and literature. As a leading intellectual of the Arab Nahda, Zaydan played a transformative role in shaping modern Arabic narrative structures, promoting linguistic reform, and redefining approaches to Arab and Islamic historiography. His historical novels introduced new narrative techniques that bridged classical Arabic storytelling with modern literary forms, while his linguistic writings contributed to the standardization and accessibility of Modern Standard Arabic. The study also highlights Zaydan’s influential journal al-Hilal as a platform that disseminated scientific knowledge and modern cultural discourse. Overall, the research demonstrates that Zaydan’s oeuvre remains foundational for contemporary scholarly inquiry into Arab cultural modernity.