Arabic
A Linguistic Introduction

This lively introduction to Arabic linguistics provides students with a concise, vivid and engaging overview of the language's structure.

Karin C. Ryding (Author)

9781107023314, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 March 2014

197 pages
23.5 x 15.6 x 1.5 cm, 0.41 kg

'… thanks to its clarity and precision, it will be a very valuable tool both for advanced students and non-specialist teachers of Arabic …' Manuel Sartori, translated from Bulletin critique des annales islamologiques

This lively introduction to the linguistics of Arabic provides students with a concise overview of the language's structure and its various components: its phonology, morphology and syntax. Through exercises, discussion points and assignments built into every chapter, the book presents the Arabic language in vivid and engaging terms, encouraging students to grasp the complexity of its linguistic situation. It presents key linguistic concepts and theories related to Arabic in a coherent way, helping to build students' analytical and critical skills. Key features: • Study questions, exercises, and discussion topics in every chapter encourage students to engage with the material and undertake specific assignments • Suggestions for further reading in every chapter allow readers to engage in more extensive research on relevant topics • Technical terminology is explained in a helpful glossary

Abbreviations and symbols used in this book
1. Arabic linguistics: overview and history
2. Arabic phonology
3. Arabic phonotactics and morphophonology
4. Arabic syllable structure and stress
5. Introduction to Arabic morphology
6. Derivational morphology: the root/pattern system
7. Non-root/pattern morphology and the Arabic lexicon
8. Arabic inflectional morphology
9. Syntactic analysis and Arabic
10. Arabic syntax I: phrase structure
11. Arabic syntax II: clause structure
Appendix 1. Fields of linguistics and Arabic
Appendix 2. Arabic transcription/transliteration/romanization
Appendix 3. Nominal declensions
Glossary of technical terms.

Subject Areas: Linguistics [CF]