Locative prepositional phrases and inalienable PLACE in Lebanese Arabic*
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Lina Choueiri
Abstract
In this paper, I investigate locative PPs in their locative meaning. Based on new empirical evidence from Lebanese Arabic, I propose that a rich constituent structure, which involves an inalienable PLACE noun in a part-whole relation with the ground DP, underlies the syntax of locative prepositions. The locative meaning of prepositions derives from the presence of this PLACE noun, which mostly remains phonologically null. I argue that Lebanese Arabic makes a formal distinction between functional and lexical prepositions, and that the observed differences between them can be attributed to the position they occupy in the rich structure of locatives. The proposed analysis is also discussed in light of recent literature on the architecture of PPs.
Abstract
In this paper, I investigate locative PPs in their locative meaning. Based on new empirical evidence from Lebanese Arabic, I propose that a rich constituent structure, which involves an inalienable PLACE noun in a part-whole relation with the ground DP, underlies the syntax of locative prepositions. The locative meaning of prepositions derives from the presence of this PLACE noun, which mostly remains phonologically null. I argue that Lebanese Arabic makes a formal distinction between functional and lexical prepositions, and that the observed differences between them can be attributed to the position they occupy in the rich structure of locatives. The proposed analysis is also discussed in light of recent literature on the architecture of PPs.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction xi
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Part I: Syntax and its interfaces
- Locative prepositional phrases and inalienable PLACE in Lebanese Arabic* 3
- On the syntax of exceptive constructions in Egyptian Arabic* 35
- Verbal and nominal plurals and the syntaxmorphology interface 59
- Exploring the syntax-phonology interface in Arabic 75
- A salience-based analysis of the Tunisian Arabic demonstrative hāk as used in oral narratives* 99
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Part II: Arabic Linguistic Variation
- Moroccan artists ‘blacklisted’ 123
- Lateral fricative ḍād in Tihāmat Qaḥtān 151
- Arabic ȷ̌ and the class of Sun Letters 171
- Quantifying lexical and pronunciation variation between three Arabic varieties* 187
-
Part III: First Language Acquisition
- Compensatory lengthening 215
- Index 237
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction xi
-
Part I: Syntax and its interfaces
- Locative prepositional phrases and inalienable PLACE in Lebanese Arabic* 3
- On the syntax of exceptive constructions in Egyptian Arabic* 35
- Verbal and nominal plurals and the syntaxmorphology interface 59
- Exploring the syntax-phonology interface in Arabic 75
- A salience-based analysis of the Tunisian Arabic demonstrative hāk as used in oral narratives* 99
-
Part II: Arabic Linguistic Variation
- Moroccan artists ‘blacklisted’ 123
- Lateral fricative ḍād in Tihāmat Qaḥtān 151
- Arabic ȷ̌ and the class of Sun Letters 171
- Quantifying lexical and pronunciation variation between three Arabic varieties* 187
-
Part III: First Language Acquisition
- Compensatory lengthening 215
- Index 237
