A diachronic linguistic framework for a systematic historical Study of Iranian architecture
Subject Areas : Space Ontology International Journal
Zahra Alebouyeh
1
,
Mohammadreza Rahimzadeh
2
*
,
Leila Zare
3
,
Behrooz Mahmoodi-Bakhtiari
4
1 - Department of Architecture, College of Art and Architecture, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Art, Tehran, Iran.
3 - Department of Architecture, College of Art and Architecture, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 - Department of Performing Arts, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Iranian architecture, systematic study of architecture, historical study, diachronic linguistics, structural analogy,
Abstract :
Despite numerous descriptive studies on the historical understanding of Iranian architecture, there remains a clear need for analytical and theoretical approaches to elucidate its structural, cultural, and semantic dimensions. A fundamental gap in this field is the absence of a systematic framework that transcends mere physical descriptions of buildings to address their structure, meaning, and cultural transformations. The focus of this article is to propose a methodology for research in this field. By drawing on linguistic approaches, it explores the theoretical and analytical potential of linguistics for understanding Iranian architecture. The fundamental similarities between language and architecture, as structured cultural systems, enable the application of linguistic concepts to architectural analysis. Among these, the diachronic linguistic approach, which examines language evolution over time and analyzes its structural, semantic, and functional changes, offers a conceptual framework for studying Iranian architecture. The central research question is: How can diachronic linguistic theories be applied to formulate a theoretical framework for the historical understanding of Iranian architecture? Employing a theoretical and qualitative approach with an analytical-comparative method, this study investigates the possibilities and modalities of applying this framework. The findings demonstrate that a diachronic linguistic approach provides a coherent framework for analyzing architectural structures, meanings, and historical transformations, revealing the structural and semantic evolution of architectural components. Furthermore, it elucidates how architectural elements acquire meaning and undergo transformation within the context of intellectual, social, and cultural developments. This approach facilitates the identification of archetypal patterns and kinship networks among architectures across different regions and clarifies the mechanisms of intercultural interactions and their semantic transformations.
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