Abstract
This paper presents arguments for a re-analysis of the b-prefix in Gulf
Arabic dialects. Similar to several other dialects, Gulf Arabic possesses a b-prefix
that is inserted before the p-stem (prefix form) of the verb. However,
the Gulf Arabic b-prefix differs substantially from the one encountered in
other Arabic dialects. According to most previous studies, the Gulf Arabic
b-prefix encodes future tense or intentive mood or a combination of these.
Based on a thorough survey of the use of this particle in modern speech, I
suggest that it is used in Gulf Arabic today as a generalized marker of the
irrealis mood rather than being limited to function as a future/intentive
marker. Futurity is one - but not the only or necessarily the most important
one - of its connotations. Meanwhile, another marker, rāḥ, emerges as an
obvious future marker in some parts of the dialectal area.
Arabic dialects. Similar to several other dialects, Gulf Arabic possesses a b-prefix
that is inserted before the p-stem (prefix form) of the verb. However,
the Gulf Arabic b-prefix differs substantially from the one encountered in
other Arabic dialects. According to most previous studies, the Gulf Arabic
b-prefix encodes future tense or intentive mood or a combination of these.
Based on a thorough survey of the use of this particle in modern speech, I
suggest that it is used in Gulf Arabic today as a generalized marker of the
irrealis mood rather than being limited to function as a future/intentive
marker. Futurity is one - but not the only or necessarily the most important
one - of its connotations. Meanwhile, another marker, rāḥ, emerges as an
obvious future marker in some parts of the dialectal area.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 26-52 |
Journal | Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies |
Volume | 8 |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- General Language Studies and Linguistics
Free keywords
- Arabic
- Gulf Arabic
- Dialect
- Tense
- Mood
- Aspect
- Syntax
- Semantics
- Future
- Irrealis
- b-prefix