Key Features and Parameters in Arabic Grammar

Abstract

In light of recent generative minimalism, and comparative parametric theory of language variation, the book investigates key features and parameters of Arabic grammar. Part I addresses morpho-syntactic and semantic interfaces in temporality, aspectuality, and actionality, including the Past/Perfect/Perfective ambiguity akin to the very synthetic temporal morphology, collocating time adverb construal, and interpretability of verbal Number as pluractional. Part II is dedicated to nominal architecture, the behaviour of bare nouns as true indefinites, the count/mass dichotomy (re-examined in light of general, collective, and singulative DP properties), the mirror image ordering of serialized adjectives, and N-to-D Move in synthetic possession, proper names, and individuated vocatives. Part III examines the role of CP in time and space anchoring, double access reading (in a DAR language such as Arabic), sequence of tense (SOT), silent pronominal categories in consistent null subject languages (including referential and generic pro), and the interpretability of inflection. Semantic and formal parameters are set out, within a mixed macro/micro-parametric model of language variation. The book is of particular interest to students, researchers, and teachers of Arabic, Semitic, comparative, typological, or general linguistics.

Universal quantification as degree modification in Arabic

“…This in turn predicts that bare plurals in Arabic cannot occur in generic contexts, with or without ʔakθar. As Fassi Fehri (2012) shows, this is correct. Like French, Italian and Spanish as described by Chierchia, Longobardi (1994) and others, Arabic generic plurals are obligatorily accompanied by the definite article.…”

On Independent Adjectives: A Syntactic Analysis of Arabic Adjectival Nominals

“…In Arabic, APs in Arabic are dominated by (at least) two functional projections: a projection of AGR for [NUM] and [GENDER] specifications, and DP for (in)definiteness marking (see Fassi Fehri 1993, 1999, 2012, Kremers 2003. No morphological change occurs if the NOM affixation takes place in the ʻhighestʼ DP because both the adjectival and nominal articles are identical in form.…”

Identifying N+N compounding in Modern Standard Arabic and Jordanian Arabic

“…CS is defined as a construct that normally consists of two nouns or an adjective and a noun where the first element can be nominative, accusative or genitive based on the function of the whole construct in the sentence, whereas the second element is always genitive . Another important characteristic of CSs is that the first element obligatorily lacks a definite article, whereas the second can be definite or indefinite (see Fassi Fehri :156). Note that the definiteness of the second element spreads to the first element in CSs, producing a definite construction as a whole (see Fassi Fehri :172), as in (1):…”

“…Another important characteristic of CSs is that the first element obligatorily lacks a definite article, whereas the second can be definite or indefinite (see Fassi Fehri :156). Note that the definiteness of the second element spreads to the first element in CSs, producing a definite construction as a whole (see Fassi Fehri :172), as in (1):…”