Quranic Studies Made in Austria: Approaching Quantitative Arabic Linguistics

Abstract

The aim of this article is to outline the interest in the Arabic language in Europe and the beginnings of teaching Arabic and establishing Arabic studies in Europe before introducing Quranic studies in Austria as such. In this context, it is important to note that unfortunately, neither Arne Ambros, late professor of Arabic studies at the University of Vienna in Austria, nor the quantitative methods that he introduced to the study of the Quran, are mentioned in Sāsī Sālim al-Ḥāj’s comprehensive review of Orientalist studies . Therefore, to show some of the benefits of adopting quantitative linguistic approaches, I introduce the study of hapax legomena and present some results of my own analysis of hapax legomena in the Quran