Examining feature economy in Arabic dialects
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Cheng-Wei Lin
Abstract
This study extends the scope of the principle of feature economy (Clements, 2003) to the diachronic level, where it serves as one of the principles for sound change. The principle predicts that newer varieties of a language will have more efficient sound systems than older varieties do. This study examines the predictions made by this principle in twenty Arabic dialects, divided into groups based on two salient historical factors concerning geography and standardization. Although the results confirm the predictions of feature economy, some concerns are raised regarding the assumptions made by the principle as it pertains to language change. Therefore, the applicability of the principle of feature economy within the diachronic domain cannot be regarded as confirmed until denser diachronic data is analyzed. Further investigation into the topic is still needed.
Abstract
This study extends the scope of the principle of feature economy (Clements, 2003) to the diachronic level, where it serves as one of the principles for sound change. The principle predicts that newer varieties of a language will have more efficient sound systems than older varieties do. This study examines the predictions made by this principle in twenty Arabic dialects, divided into groups based on two salient historical factors concerning geography and standardization. Although the results confirm the predictions of feature economy, some concerns are raised regarding the assumptions made by the principle as it pertains to language change. Therefore, the applicability of the principle of feature economy within the diachronic domain cannot be regarded as confirmed until denser diachronic data is analyzed. Further investigation into the topic is still needed.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgement vii
- Introduction ix
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Phonetics and phonology
- Phonation and glottal states in Modern South Arabian and San'ani Arabic 3
- Examining feature economy in Arabic dialects 37
- L1-English tense-lax vowel system influence on L2-Arabic 63
- On the status of derived affricates in Arabic dialects 89
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Syntax
- On NPIs and QPs in Sason Arabic 107
- Temporal NPIs and NCIs as adverb phrases 129
- Clause structure in contact contexts 153
- The syntax of motion light verbs in Jordanian and Moroccan Arabic 173
- Cyclic Spell-Out Derived Agreement in Arabic Raising Constructions 193
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Sociolinguistics
- (q) as a sociolinguistic variable in the Arabic of Gaza City 229
- Index 247
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgement vii
- Introduction ix
-
Phonetics and phonology
- Phonation and glottal states in Modern South Arabian and San'ani Arabic 3
- Examining feature economy in Arabic dialects 37
- L1-English tense-lax vowel system influence on L2-Arabic 63
- On the status of derived affricates in Arabic dialects 89
-
Syntax
- On NPIs and QPs in Sason Arabic 107
- Temporal NPIs and NCIs as adverb phrases 129
- Clause structure in contact contexts 153
- The syntax of motion light verbs in Jordanian and Moroccan Arabic 173
- Cyclic Spell-Out Derived Agreement in Arabic Raising Constructions 193
-
Sociolinguistics
- (q) as a sociolinguistic variable in the Arabic of Gaza City 229
- Index 247
