The Complexity of the Irregular Verbal and Nominal Forms & the Phonological Changes in Arabic

The Complexity of the Irregular Verbal and Nominal Forms & the Phonological Changes in Arabic

0

Joyce Akesson

Pallas Athena Di stri bution Lund 2009

The Complexity of the I rregular Verbal and Nominal Forms & the Phonological Changes in A rabic All Rights Reserved Copyright© 2009 by Joyce A kesson 2009 Pallas Athena Distribution, Skarpskyttevagen I 0 A, 226 42 Lund, Sweden. E-mail: [email protected] This book may not be reprod uced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, record­ ing, scanning or otherwise withou t the prior permission of the Publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and re­ views. I SBN: 978-91-977641-2-4 PRINTED I N TH E UNITED STATES OF A MERICA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE XXI CHAPTER ONE 1.

The doubled verb and some of its derivatives

1.1. The conjugations of the doubled verb 1 1.2. Examples of some derivatives of the doubled verb 2 1.2.1. Remarks concerning the phonological procedures in some of its forms 2 1.2.1.1. The verbal noun: the sequence of two identical seg­ ments of which the 1st is vowelless and the 2nd is vowelled: the assimilation 4 1.2. 1.2. The perfect and the imperfect: the sequence of two vowelled identical segments: the assimilation 5 1.2.1.3. The forms of the perfect, imperfect and imperative in which the vowelled pronoun of the agent is suffixed: the sequence of a vowelled segment preceding a vowelless identical segment: the prohibition of the assimilation 6 1.2.1.4. Some cases of anomalous perfects: the sequence of a vowelled segment preceding a vowelless identical segment: the elision of one of the identical segments 7 1.2.1.5. Some cases of anomalous imperatives: the sequence of a vowelled segment preceding a vowelless identical segment: the assimilation 8 1.2.1.6. Some cases of anomalous imperatives: the sequence of a vowelled segment preceding a vowelless identical segment:

II

IRREG ULAR VERBS A N D PHONOLOGICAL CH ANGES I N ARABIC

the elision of one of the identical segments 9 1.2.1.7. Some derived forms of the verb: the sequence of a vowelled segment preceding a vowelless identical segment: the substitution of one of the doubled segments by a y 10 1.3. Conclusion 11 CHAPTER TWO 13 2. The assimilation 13 2.1. The assimilation in the pronunciation and in the writing 14 2.2. The points of articulation and some of the characters of the segments that lead to the assimilation 14 2.2.1. The segments' common and neighboring points of articulation 15 2.2.2. Some of the segments' characters 16 2.3. The sequences of two identical segments: cases in which the assimilation is or is not carried out 17 2.3.1. The sequence of two identical segments of which the 1st is vowelless and the 2nd vowelled: the necessity of the assimilation 18 2.3.1.1. The assimilation that is carried out in one word 18 2.3.1.2. The assimilation that is carried out in two words following each other 19 2.3.2. The sequence of two identical segments which are both vowelled 19 2.3.2.1. The assimilation that is carried out in one word 20 2.3.2.2. Cases in which the assimilation is not carried out in one word 21 2.3.2.2.1. An anomalous case: f:tayiya 21 2.3.2.2.2. The coordinatives and some special measures 22 2.3.2.3. The assimilation that is carried out in two words following each other 23 2.3.3. The sequence of two identical segments of which the 1st is vowelled and the 2nd vowelless: the prohibition of the as­ similation. The assimilation in some anomalous cases 23 2.4. The sequence of two different segments: cases in which the assimilation is or is not carried out 25 2.4.1. The sequence of two different segments of which the 1st is vowelless and the 2nd is vowelled: the assimilation 25

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Ill

2.4.1.1. The assimilation that is carried out from the 1st vowelless segment to a 2nd different vowelled segment in one word 25 2.4.1.1. 1. The assimilation of the vowelless l- of the arti­ cle al- to the vowelled solar segment that begins a noun 26 2.4.1.1.2. The assimilation of the 3rd radical din verbs that occur in the perfect, to the vowelled suffixed pronoun of the agent that begins with the t 26 2.4.1.1.3. The assimilation that is carried out between the vowelled infixed t of Form VIII of the perfect �iftacala and the 1st vowelless radical preceding it 27 2.4.1.1.3.1. Cases in which the I st vowelless radical is assimilated to the infixed vowelled t of Form VIII of the perfect �iftacala 27 1- The assimilation of the 1st radical vowelless � to the vowelled infixed t of Form VII I �iftacala 28 2- The assimjJation of the 1st radical vowelless t to the vowelled infixed t of Form VII I �iftacaza 28 3- The assimilation between the 1st radical vowelless t and the vowelled infixed t of Form VIII �iftacaza 29 4- The assimilation of the 1st radical vowelless w to the vowelled infixed t of Form VIII �iftacala 29 5- The assimilation of the 1st radical vowelless y to the vowelled infixed t of Form VIII �iftacala 29 2.4.1.1.3.2. Cases in which the infixed vowelled t of Form VIII of the perfect �ijtaalaf:Lmaru. Another variant exists as well, namely laf:Lmaru with the hamza of the article elided (cf. Sibawaihi, I I , 1 70, Zamabsari, 1 66- 1 67, Akesson, Ibn Masciid 240: fol. 22a, Howell, IV, fasc. I , 942-943, 959-963, Lane, I , 74, Wright, I I , 269). Some examples i n which the segment preceding the hamza is a radical i s the imperfect with the 2nd radical hamza yas:Jalu "he asks" that becomes anomalously yasalu (cf. par. 3 . 4. 1 . 1 .) and its

ma�dar mas:>alatun "a matter" that becomes masalatun (cf.

70

IRREG U LAR VERBS AND PHONOLOG ICAL CHANGES I N ARABIC

Zamaijsari, 1 66, Akesson, Ibn Mascud 240: fol. 22a). In both these examples the 1 st radical s i s vowelless and precedes the hamza vowelled by a fati:ta. As it has been observed, this se­ quence results i n the elision of the hamza and the transfer of its fati:ta to the s preceding it. Another example is mat>akun "angel " (from "alaka "to con­ vey" ) with the 2nd radical l vowelless, preceding the hamza vowelled by a fati:ta. This sequence results i n the elision of the hamza and the transfer of its fatl:ta to the l preceding it, namely

malakun (cf. Ibn Ginn1, Mun�if II, 1 02- 1 04, Ibn MarJ.?.fu, I , 1 1 01 1 1 , Ak:esson, Ibn Mascud 240: fol. 22a, Wright, ll, 77, Vernier, I, 1 0 1 - 1 02, Lane, I, 8 1 -82). 4. 1 . 2.3. 1.2. The vowelless segment preceding the hamza is a

vowelless w or y: The vowelless w or y preceding the hamza vowelled by a fati:ta can be an i nfixed segment or a radical . This sequence re­ sults i n the elision of the hamza and the transfer of its fati:ta to the segment preceding it. It can be remarked that this sequence can occur i n one word or i n two words following each other. 4. 1 . 2. 3. 1.2. 1 . The elision of the hamza in one word and the

transfer of its fatf:ta to the segment preceding it: The vowelless segment preceding the hamza vowelled by a fati:ta i n the same word can be an i nfixed glide, namely a w or a

y. The conditions of the hamza' s elision and consequently of the transfer of its fati:ta to the segment preceding it, i s that the infixed segment i s not a segment of prolongation, i .e. a glide lengthening the sound of the vowel preceding it, as the w in mafcuwlatun (/

maF(u)ulatun) that lengthens the y( u)usaru "is pleased" . The same change of the y into w is carried out in the active voice of Form I V of the imperfect yuysiru that becomes yuwsiru > y(u)usiru "is well off' (cf. Wright, I I , 50, for the sequence see par. 9. 1 .5 . ; for the substitution see 1 0. 1 .9. 2). Thus yuysiru with the vowelless y preceded by a y(a)iigalu, or elided, e.g. yawhabu > yahabu "to give" in the conjugation yafcalu (cf. 5.2. 1 .4.) . It is either changed into a y in the imperative, e.g. :Jiwgal > :Jiygal "be scared ! " or is

elided together with the connective hamza to prevent a disliked combination, e.g. :Jiw cid > :Jiy cid > :Jid "promise /masc sing." (cf. 5.2. 1 .5 .). It is maintained, e.g. w(a)ii cidun "promising", or anomalously transposed and then elided, e.g. w(a)iil:zidun > iil:zidwun > l:z(a)iidiwun > l:z(a)iidin i n the active participle when it is followed by the vowelless ii (cf. 5 .2. 1 .6.). It is maintained i n

98

I RREG ULAR VERBS AND PHONOLOGICAL CH ANGES IN ARABIC

the noun of time and place as it is preceded by a fat:J:ta, e.g. maw cidun "time or place of a promise or appointment" (cf. 5 .2. 1 . 7.) and it is changed into a y in Form V I I I of the perfect as it is preceded by a kasra, e.g. Jiwta cada > Jiyta cada "to accept a promise" (cf. 5 .2. 1 .8.). The verb with 1 st radical y has i n most forms the y sound, except in some cases when it occurs vowelless and preceded by a yuwsaru > y(u)usaru "is pleased" and muysirun > muwsirun > m(u)usirun "is prosperous" , or in Form V I I I of the perfect Jifta cala, i n which it occurs vowelless, preceded by the kasra and followed by the vowelled infixed t, as it is assimilated to the t (cf. 5 .4. 1 .2.), e.g. Jiytasara > Jittasara "to play at hazard" . I n the next chapter I shall study the verb with 2nd w or y radical.

CT-fAPJER SIX

6. The verb with 2nd radical w or y The verb with 2nd radical w or y, al-mu ctall al- cayn, i s also termed al-:Jagwaf "the hollow verb". Another less known nomi­ nation is gu l-talii!at "the one with three segments" (cf. Akesson, Ibn Mas cud 282: fol. 26b), which is given to it because it loses its 2nd weak radical in the perfect when the vowelled suffixed agent pronoun, namely the -tu "/ 1 st person of the sing.", -ta "2nd person of the masc. sing.", -ti "2nd person of the fern . sing. ", -tuma "2nd person of the dual", -tum "2nd person of the masc. pl.", -tunna "2nd person of the fern. pl .", or -na "3rd per­ son of the fern pl., i s attached to it. It comprehends three seg­ ments i nstead of four in these perfect forms, which distinguishes it from the other classes of verbs. I illustrate this theory with the following examples: a- verb with 2nd radical w An example of a verb with 2nd radical w i s qul-tu " I said" under1yingly qawal-tu (for the phonological change see 6.5.2. 1 .: 1 ) that loses the w radical, and hence qul-ta "you said /masc.

1 00

I R REG ULAR VERBS A N D PHONOLOGICAL CHANGES I N ARABIC

sing." underlyingly qawal-ta, qul-ti "you said /fern. sing." un­ derlyingly qawal-ti,

qul-tuma "you said /dual" underlyingly

qawal-tuma, qul-tum "you said /dual." underlyingly qawal-tum, qawal-na "they said /fern. pl ." underlyingly qawal-na, etc. The underlying form that comprehends four segments can be distinguished from the form in which a phonological change due to the unsound glide is carried out, resulting in three segments. Hence I illustrate this as follows: The underlying form: qawal-tu

=

fa cal-tu

qa+ wa+l+tu

=

fa+ ca+l+tu

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 segments

=

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 segments

The form in which a phonological change is carried out is: qu+l+tu 1 + 2 + 3 segments

= =

fu+l+tu 1 + 2 + 3 segments

b- verb with 2nd radical y An example of a verb with 2nd radical y is bic-tu " I sold" underlyingly baya c-tu (for the phonological change see par. 6.5. 1 .2.: 1 ) that loses the y radical, and hence bi c-ta "you said /rnasc. sing." underlyingly baya c-ta,

bi c-ti "you said /fern.

sing." underlyingly baya c-ti, bic-na "they said /fern. pl ." under­ lyingly baya c -na, etc. The underlying form is: baya c-tu

=

fa cal-tu

ba+ya+ c+tu

=

fa+ ''a +l+tu

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 segments

=

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 segments

The form in which a phonological change i s carried out is: bi+ c+tu 1 + 2 + 3 segments

= =

fi+l+tu 1 + 2 + 3 segments

CH APTER 6: THE VERB WI TH 2ND RADICAL W OR Y

101

6.1 . The conjugations of the verb with 2nd radical w The conjugations of the verb with 2nd radical w can be grouped into the following: 1 -fa cala yafculu, e.g. qawala yaqwulu that becomes after the phonological change qiila yaqulu "to say ". 2- fa cila yapalu, e.g. bawifa yabwafu that becomes after the phonological change biifa yabiifu "to fear" . 3 - fa cula yapulu, e.g. fawula yafwulu that becomes after the phonological change !lila yafulu "to become long". 6.2. Examples of some derivatives of the verb with 2nd radical w An example of a verb with 2nd radical w in the perfect is qiila "to ask". It becomes yaqulu in the imperfect of the indicative ac­ tive. Its imperative is qui, its active participle is qii:Jilun, its ma�dar is qawlun, its perfect passive is qlla, its imperfect is yuqiilu and its passive participle is maqulun. 6.3. The conjugations of the verb with 2nd radical y The conjugations of the verb with 2nd radical y can be grouped into the following: 1 - fa cala yapilu, e.g. baya ca yabyicu that becomes after the phonological change bii ca yabi:cu "to sell " . 2 - fa cila yapalu, e.g. hayiba yahyabu that becomes after the phonological change hiiba yahiibu "to fear". 6.4. Examples of some derivatives of the verb with 2nd radical y: An example of a verb with 2nd radical y in the perfect is bii ca "to buy". It becomes yabi:cu in the imperfect of the indicative ac­ tive. Its imperative is bic, its active participle is bii:Ji cun, its

I RREG U LAR VERBS AND PHONOLOGICAL C H A N GES IN ARABIC

1 02

ma�dar i s baycun, its perfect passive is blca, its imperfect is yubiicu and its passive participle is mabfcun. 6.5. Remarks concerning the phonological procedures in some of the forms of the verb with 2nd radical w or y: Before

embarking

upon

establishing

the

rules

of

the

phonological changes due to the glide, it can be remarked that most of the procedures concerning the sequences of the verb with 2nd radical w concern as well the sequences of the verb with 2nd radical y. It shall be observed in this analysis that three usual changes can be applied concerning the verb with 2nd radi­ cal w or y. In some of its forms, it can have its glide changed into another segment, have it elided or retained. Another change that can affect the glide is as well the transfer of its vowel to the segment preceding it, but this occurs only on the condition that this segment is vowelless or that it has a vowel that is deemed heavy on it. I shall devote my attention to the following forms, sequences and rules: 6.5. 1 . The 3rd persons of the perfect of the verb with 2nd radical w or y: the sequence of the vowelled 2nd weak radical preceded by a fatJ:ta: the change of the vowelled weak radical into an a. 6.5.2. The persons in the perfect of the verb with 2nd radical w

or y i n which the vowelled pronoun of the agent is suffixed:

the sequence of the vowelless 2nd radical ii (that is substituted for the 2nd weak radical) preceded by a fatJ:ta and followed by the vowelless 3rd radical: the elision of the ii and the change of the 1 st radical' s fatl)a i nto another vowel. 6.5.3. The imperfect of the verb with 2nd radical w or y of the conj ugation yaratu: the sequence of the 2nd weak radical vowelled by a fatJ:ta and preceded by a sukun: the transfer of the

CH APrER 6: T I- l E VERB W I T H 2 N D RADICAL W OR Y

1 03

fatl:ta to the vowelless segment preceding it and the change of the vowelled weak radical into an ii in all forms with the remark that the ii is elided in the imperfect forms of the fern. pl. i n which the vowelled -n, the -na, is suffixed to. 6.5.4. The imperfect of the verb with 2nd radical w of the conjugation yaFulu: the sequence of the 2nd radical w vowelled by a b(a)iica "to buy ". The ii preceding the vowelless 3rd radical is elided in the persons of the perfect to which the vowelled pronoun of the agent i s suffixed to and the vowel of the 1 st radical is changed into another vowel, e.g. q(a)iil-na (from qawal-na) that becomes qal-na and then qui-na "they said /fern. pl." (cf. 6.5.2.). The vowel of the 2nd radical is shifted to the vowelless seg­ ment preceding it together with other changes that are carried out in many forms. This shifting i s found in the imperfect of the conjugation yajalu, e.g. yabwafu > yabawfu > yab(a)iifu "he is afraid" (cf. 6.5.3.), yafculu, e.g. yaqwulu > yaquwlu > yaq(u)ulu "he says" (cf. 6.5.4.), yajilu, e.g. yabyicu > yabiy cu > yab(i)"icu

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C I I A PTER 6: THE VERB WI TH 2ND RA DICAL W OR Y

"he sells" (cf. 6.5.5.), in the passive participle of the verb with 2nd radical w, e.g. maqw(u)ulun

maquwulun

>

maq(u)ulun

>

"what is said" (cf. 6.5.6.) or 2nd radical y, e.g. maby(u)u cun > mabuyu cun

>

mabuy cun "what is sold" (cf. 6.5.7.), i n the

imperative, e.g. :Juqwul > :Juquwl and :Jibyi c

:Jibiyc

>

>

biy c

>

quwl

>

b(i)tc

>

>

q(u)ul

>

qui "say ! "

bic "sell ! " (cf. par. 6.5.8.),

in the passive voice of the imperfect, e.g. yuqwalu yuq(a)iilu "is said" and yubya cu

>

yubaycu

>

>

yuqawlu

>

yub(a)ii cu (cf.

6.5. 1 4.), in the noun of place of the verb with 2nd radical w, e.g. maqwalun

maqawlun

>

maq(a)iilun "speech" (cf. 6.5. 1 5.)

>

and in the passive voice of the perfect, e.g. quwila qiyla

>

q(i)lla and buyi ca

>

biy ca

>

>

qiwla >

bi(l) ca (cf. 6.5 . 1 3.).

The w or y that is vowelled by a kasra and preceded by an ii in the active participle is changed into a hamza, e.g. q(a)iiwilun q(a)ii:Jilun "a sayer" and b(a)iiyicun

>

>

b(a)ii:Ji cun "a seller" (cf.

6.5.9.). In somes anomalous cases of active participles of the verb with 2nd radical w, the wi that is changed into :Ji is elided, e.g. h(a)iiwicun

>

h(a)ii :Jicun

>

h(a)ii cun "vomitting", or the seg­

ments are transposed and the wi is elided, e.g. s(a)iiwikun

>

s(a)iikiwun > s(a)iikin "sharp" (cf. 6.5. 1 0). The w of the verbal nouns of Form IV :JiF(a)iilun and Form X :Jisti,F(a)iilun of the verb with 2nd radical w i s changed i nto an ii, then one of the alifs is elided and the elision is compensated by the tii:J marbu!a, e.g. :Jiqw(a)iimun :Jiq(a)iimun

>

>

:Jiq(a)iiiimun

>

:Jiq( a)iimatun "the act of being constant (in

prayer)" (cf. 6.5. 1 2.).

1 30

I R REG U LAR VERBS AND PHONOLOG ICAL C H ANGES IN ARABIC

I n the next chapter I shall study the verb with 3rd w or y radical and some of its forms.

CH APTER SE VEN

7. The verb with 3rd radical w or y The verb with 3rd radical w or y or the defective verb is gener­ ally termed as mu ctal al-lam or al-naqi�. A less well-known nomination is gu l- :Jarbaca "the one with four segments" that is given to it by Ibn Mascud (Akesson, Ibn Mas cud 326: fol. 32a), because it maintains its 3rd weak radical when the vowelled suffixed agent pronoun, namely the

-tu

"/ 1 st

person of the sing.", -ta "2nd person of the masc. sing.", -ti "2nd person of the fern. sing." , -tuma "2nd person of the dual", -tum "2nd person of the masc. pl." or -na "3rd person of the fern pl., is attached to it, by contrast to the verb with 2nd w or y radical that loses its 2nd weak radical in these cases (cf. par. 6.). Hence it comprehends four segments i n these perfect forms. For the sake of concreteness, I illustrate it with the followi ng examples: a- verb with 3rd radical w An example of a verb with 3rd radical w in the 1 st person of the sing. is da caw-tu " I called", and hence da caw-ta "you called

1 32

IRREGULAR VERBS AND PHONOLOGICAL CHANGES IN ARABIC

/masc. sing.", da caw-ti "you called /fern. sing." and da caw-na "they called /fern. pl.". Thus: da caw-tu

=

fa cal-tu

da+ ca+w+tu

=

fa+ ca+l+tu

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 segments

=

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 segments

b- verb with 3rd radical y An example of a verb with 3rd radical y in the 1 st person of the sing. is ramay-tu " I threw" , and hence ramay-ta "you threw /masc. sing.", ramay-ti "you threw /fern. sing." and ramay-na "they called /fern. pl.". Thus: ramay-tu ra+ ma+y+tu 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 segments

= =

fa+ ca+l+tu 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 segments

7.1. The conjugations of the verb with 3rd radical w The verb with 3rd radical w falls into the following conjugation: 1 - fa cala yafculu, e.g. gazawa yagzuwu "to attack" that be­ comes after the phonological change gazii yagzu. 7.2. Examples of some derivatives of the verb with 3rd radi­ cal w An example of a verb with 3rd radical w in the perfect is gazii "to attack" (with final alif mamduda). It becomes yagzu in the imperfect of the indicative active. Its imperative is :Jugzu, its ac­ tive participle is giizin, its ma�dar is gazwun, its perfect passive is guziya, its imperfect is yugzii and its passive participle is magzzyun. 7.3. The conjugations of the verb with 3rd radical y The verb with 3rd radical y falls i nto the following conjugations:

C I I APfER 7: Ti l E VERB W IT H 3 RD RADICAL W OR Y

1 33

1 - fa cala yaFilu, e.g. ramaya yarmiyu "to throw " that be­ comes after the phonological change ramii yarmJ. 2- fa cala yaFalu, e.g. nahaya yanhayu "to forbid" that be­ comes after the phonological change nahii yanhii. 3- fa cila yaFalu, e.g. rarjiya yarrjayu "to consent" that be­ comes after the phonological change rarjii yarrjii. 7.4. Examples of some derivatives of the verb with 3rd radi­ cal y An example of a verb with 3rd radical y i n the perfect is ramaya "to throw" . It becomes yarm"i i n the imperfect of the indicative active. Its imperative is "irmi, its active participle i s riimin, its ma�dar is ramyun, its perfect passive is rumiya, its imperfect is yurmii, its passive participle is marm"iyun and the nouns of time and place are marman. 7.5. Remarks concerning the phonological procedures in some of the forms of the verb with 3rd radical w or y Most of the phonological changes that are carried out i n the verb with 3rd radical w and some of its derivatives are similar to those that are carried out in the verb with 3rd radical y and some of its derivatives. The w or the y can be changed in some forms i nto another segment, be elided or retained. Its vowel can as well be shifted to the segment preceding it after the elision of the w or the y or its vowel can be elided and the vowel preceding it can be changed into another vowel (cf. 7.5.5.). Thus I present and study the following forms and sequences: 7.5. 1 . The 3rd person of the masc. sing. of the perfect: the sequence of the vowelled w or y preceded by a fatl)a: its change into an ii.

1 34

I RR EG U LAR VERBS A N D PHONOLOGICAL CH ANGES IN ARABIC

7.5.2. The 3rd person of the fern. sing. and fern. dual of the perfect: the sequence in which the vowelless ii (that is substi­ tuted for the glide vowelled by a fatf.ia) is followed by the -t that marks the fern.: the elision of the ii. 7 .5.3. The persons in the perfect to which the vowelled agent pronoun is suffixed to: the sequence of the 3rd vowelless weak radical preceded by a fatQa: the retaining of the w or y. 7 .5.4. The 3rd person of the masc pl . of the perfect of the conj ugation fa cala: the sequence of the 3rd radical w or y vow­ elled by a

yagz(u)ii after the elision of the

c;lamma and the assimilation of the w to the c;lamma resulting in the lengthened w: ii. Concerning the verb with 3rd radical y, I take up the case of yarmiyu which has the y vowelled by a c;lamma and preceded by

CH APTER 7: T H E VERB W I T H 3RD RADICAL W OR Y

a kasra, which becomes yarmiy

>

1 43

yarm( i)f after the elision of the



gaz(a)ii and ramaya

>

The ii that is substituted for the vowelled glide is

ram(a)ii.

elided in the 3rd person of the fern. sing. of the perfect as it is followed by the vowelless -t marker of the fern. (cf. 7.5.2.), e.g. gazawa-t

>

gaz(a)ii-t

>

gaza-t and ramaya-t

>

ram(a)ii-t

>

rama-t, and in the 3rd person of the masc pl. of the perfect of the

I SO

IRREGULAR VERBS AND PHONOLOGICAL CH ANGES IN ARABIC

conjugation fa cala (cf. 7 .5.4.), e.g. gazaw(u)-u > gaz(a)ii-w > gaza-w and ramay(u)-w > ram(a)ii-w > rama-w. The 3rd weak radical y is elided together with other phonological changes that are carried out in the 3rd person of the masc pl . of the perfect of a verb with 3rd radical y of the conju­ gation fa cila (cf. 7.5.5.), e.g. rat;fiy(u)-u > rat;li(u)-u > rat;f(u)-u "they consented", i n the 2nd person of the fern. sing. of the im­ perfect (cf. 7.5.8.), e.g. tarmiy(i)-1na > tarmiy-1na > tarm(i)-1na "/2 fern. sing." and in the 2nd and 3rd persons of the masc. pl . of the imperfect (cf. 7.5 .9.), e.g. tarmiy(u)-una > tarmiy-una > tarm(u)-una "12 masc. pl." and yarmiy(u)-una > yarmiy-una > yarm(u)-una "13 masc. pl." respectively. The 3rd vowelless w radical to which the vowelled agent pronoun is suffixed to and that is preceded by a vowel is changed i nto a y in Form I V and in some other derived forms of the perfect (cf. 7.5. 1 0.), e.g. :Jagzaw-tu > "agzay-tu, and of the imperfect, e.g. yugziwu > yugz(i)yu > yugz(i)1. The :Jagz(u)w > :Jagz(u)u "l l st person sing. " and :Jarmiyu > :Jarm(i)y > :Jarm(i)l "l l st person sing. ". The 3rd weak radical preceded by a vowel is elided in the jussive (cf. 7.5 . 1 5 .), e.g. lam yagz(u)u > lam yagzu "he did not attack" and lam yarm(i)1 > lam yarmi "he did not throw ". I shall discuss the verb that is doubly weak i n the next chapter.

CF-IAPTER EIGHT

8. The verb that is doubly Weak The verb that is doubly weak is named al-lafif "complicated, tan­ gled". It is divided into two classes: 1 - mafruq: having a 1 st and 3rd weak radical, e.g. waq(a)ii yaq(i)y "to guard, preserve" . 2- maqrun: having a 2nd and 3rd weak radical, e.g. taw(a)ii yatw(i)y "to fold". 8.1 . The conjugations of the verb with 1 st and 3rd weak radical The verb with 1 st and 3rd weak radical falls into the following conjugations: 1 - fa cala yajilu, e.g. waqaya yaqiyu that becomes after the phonological change waq(a)ii [with fi nal alif maq$ura] yaq(i)t: "to guard, preserve" . 2- fa cila yajilu, e.g. waliya yaliyu "to be near" of which only the imperfect becomes after the phonological change yal(i)t:.

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I R REG U LAR VERBS A N D PHONOLOGICAL C H A N G ES IN ARABIC

3- fa cila yaFalu, e.g. wagiya yawgayu of which only the im­ perfect becomes after the phonological change yawg(a)ii [with final alif maq�ura]. 8.2. Examples of some derivatives of the verb with 1st and 3rd weak radical An example of a verb with 1 st and 3rd weak radical in the per­ fect is waq( a )ii "he guarded" . It becomes yaql in the imperfect of the indicative active. Its imperative is qi or qih, its active partici­ ple is wiiqin, its ma�dar is waqyun, its perfect passive is wuqiya, its imperfect is yuqii, its passive participle is mawqlyun, its noun of place is mawqan and its noun of i nstrument is mlqan. 8.2.1. Remarks concerning the phonological procedures in some ofitsforms: The 1 st weak radical of the verb with 1 st and 3rd weak radi­ cal is submitted to the same rules as the 1 st weak radical of the verb with 1 st radical w or y (cf. chap. 5 .), and its 3rd weak radi­ cal is submitted to the same rules as the 3rd weak radical of the verb with 3rd radical w or y (cf. chap. 7.). 8.3. The conjugations of the verb with 1 st and 3rd weak radical The verb with 2nd and 3rd weak radical falls into the following conjugations: 1 - fa cala yafcilu, e.g. fawaya ya[wiyu that becomes after the phonological change tawa [with final alif maq�iira} yafwl "to fold". 2- fa cila yafcalu, e.g. qawiya yaqwayu "to be strong" of which only the imperfect becomes after the phonological change yaqwii [with final alifmaq�iira].

CI I AfYfER 8: Ti l E VERB THAT IS DOUBL Y W E A K

1 53

3- fa cila yaralu, e.g. f:tayiya yaf:tyayu of which only the im­ perfect becomes after the phonological change yaf:tya [with fi nal alif mamduda ]. 8.4. Examples of some derivatives of the verb with 2nd and 3rd weak radical An example of a verb with 2nd and 3rd weak radical in the per­ fect is rawa [with final alif maq�ura] "he folded". I t becomes ya{Wt: in the imperfect of the indicative active. Its i mperative i s :Ji[Wi, its active participle is !iiwin, its ma�dar i s !ayyun, its per­ fect passive is ruwiya, its imperfect is yu{Wa, its passive partici­ ple is ma{Wt:yun, its noun of place is ma{Wan and its noun of in­ strument is mi{Wan. 8.4. 1. Remarks concerning the phonological procedures in some of its forms: The 2nd weak radical of the verb with 2nd and 3rd weak radical is submitted to the same rules as the 2nd weak radical of the verb with 2nd radical w or y (cf. chap. 6.), and its 3rd weak radical is submitted to the same rules as the 3rd weak radical of the verb with 3rd radical w or y (cf. chap 7.). 8.4. Conclusion I have discussed the verb that is doubly weak in thi s chapter. I t has been observed that its glides are submitted to the same rules as the glides of the other classes of weak radicals: the 1 st weak radical as the 1 st weak radical of verbs with 1 st weak radical, the 2nd weak radical as the 2nd weak radical of verbs with 2nd weak radical, and the 3rd weak radical as the 3rd weak radical of verbs with 3rd weak radical.

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IRREG U LAR VERBS AND PHONOLOGICAL C H A N G ES IN ARABIC

In the next chapter I shall generally study the soundness or the unsoundness of the glide.

CHAPTER NINE

9. The soundness or the unsoundness of the glide Having discussed the weak verb in which one weak radical or more constitutes the form, I shall study the soundness of the glide or the phonological changes due to its unsoundness i n a noun or in a verb in this chapter. 9.1. The soundness or the unsoundness of the glide: the se­ quences involved and the conditions As it has been observed in the chapters treating the weak verbs, the glide can be sound or unsound. The sound glide is the one that is not subjected to any phonological change, e.g. wa cada "to promise", in which the w remains sound on the basis that it is not preceded by any other segment (cf. par. 5 .2. 1 . 1 .). By con­ trast to the sound glide, the unsound one i mplies a change in the word structure, e.g. the imperfect ya cidu underlyingly yawcidu in which the 1 st radical w is elided (cf. par. 5.2. 1 .3.). These changes are termed as :Jicliil, and the most common ones are that the unsound glide is made vowelless, that it is changed into an­ other glide, that it is elided, that its vowel is shifted, or that it it-

1 56

IRREG U L AR VERBS A N D PHONOLOG ICAL CHANGES IN ARABIC

self is shifted to the position of another segment (cf. Akesson, Ibn Mas cud 270: fol . 25b-26a, RagiQi, Basl! 1 59). The soundness of the glide or the phonological change(s) due to its unsoundness i nvolves a sequence of two segments in which the unsound glide is the second segment and is preceded by a vowelless or by a vowelled sound segment. It goes without saying that the sequence of two vowelless segments i s excluded, as it is impossible to combine two vowelless segments together. I n order to have a system of analysis that makes it possible to explore the phonological changes I propose for this study the following sequences comprising a glide preceded by a sound segment, whether strong or weak: 9. 1 . 1 . The glide is vowelless and preceded by a fatJ:ta: its soundness or its change into an ii. 9. 1 .2. The glide is vowelled by a fatQa and preceded by a fatJ:ta: its change into an ii. 9. 1 .3. The glide i s vowelled by a kasra and preceded by a fatJ:ta: its change into an ii. 9. 1 .4. The glide i s vowelled by a gamma and preceded by a fatJ:ta: the change of the wu or yu into an ii. 9. 1 .5. The glide, the y, is vowe1Jess and preceded by a gamma: its change into a w. 9. 1 .6. The glide i s voweUed by a kasra and preceded by a gamma: the transfer of the kasra to the preceding segment and hence the change of the precedi ng segment' s gamma into a kasra, the change of the w into a y or the y into an l respectively, or the elision of the glide' s kasra and the lengthening of the gamma preceding it into an ii. 9. 1 .7. The glide is vowelled by a gamma and preceded by a vowel: the glide's gamma is elided.

CHAPTER 9: Ti l E SO U N D N ESS OR TH E UNSOU N D N ESS OF TI-I E G L I D E

1 57

9. 1 .8. The glide is vowelled by a fatl:la and preceded by a b(a)afa "to fear" (cf. par. 6.5. 1 . 1 . : 3). An example of a verb with 2nd radical y vowelled by a kasra is hayiba > h(a)aba "to be afraid" (cf. par. 6.5. 1 .2.: 2). 9. 1.3. 1. The soundness of the glide: The glide remains sound in these cases that are discussed below, just to mention a few: 1- The fatl)a preceding the glide i s ruled by the sukun of an­ other form.

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IRREGULAR VERBS A N D PHONOLOGICAL CHANGES IN ARABIC

2- The form should remain unchanged to prevent that the last glide becomes vowelled by a q(a)ii3ilun "a sayer" (cf. par. 6.5.9. 1 . and 1 0. 1 . 1 .2. :3). Also the sequence -iiyi with the y vowelled by a kasra and preceded by an ii that becomes -ii3i after that the yi is changed into 3i. An example is b(a)iiyiun > b(a)ii3i cun "a seller" (cf. par. 6.5.9.2 and 1 0. 1 . 1 .3.: 2).

1 84

IRREGULAR VERBS AND PI-IONOLOG ICAL CIIANGES IN ARABIC

9.1.15. The glide, the w, is vowelled by a rfamma and pre­ ceded by a sukiin: the transfer of the rfamma to the segment preceding it and the change of the w into ii: The phonological changes concerning this sequence are the following: -"wu (" stands for vowelless segment) with the w vowelled by a c;lamma and preceded by a sukun becomes -uw after that the w 's c;lamam is shifted to the vowelless segment pre­ ceding it. As the c;lamma precedes the w, the w is changed into an u or lengthened u: u, so that it becomes ( u)u. Such a sequence is found in the verb with 2nd radical w of the conjugation yapulu that occurs in the imperfect, e.g. yaqwulu "he says" > yaquwlu > yaq(u)ulu (cf. par. 6.5.4.), in the impera­ tive, e.g. :Juqwul "say ! " > :Juquwl > uq(u)ul, and then after the elision of the connective hamza and the u > qul (cf. par. 6.5 .8. 1 .) and i n the passive participle maqwuwlun > maqw(u)ulun "what is said" > maq(u)ulun (cf. par. 6.5.6.). 9. 1. 15. 1. The soundness of the glide: The glide remains sound in the noun or in the adjective in the following case: 1 - The glide should not be vowelled by a vowel that is not supplied by the basic form. 1 - The glide should not be vowelled by a vowel that is not supplied by the basic form: The w remains sound if it is the 3rd radical of a noun that carries the marker of the declension, and thus its vowel is not supplied by the basic form but by an external reason having to do with syntax (for this condition see 9. 1 . and compare the case

CHAPTER 9: TH E SOU N D N ESS OR TH E U NSOU N D N ESS OF THE G LI DE

1 85

of al-ramyu "the throwing" that ends with the 3rd radical y, see par. 9. 1 . 1 6. 1 . : 1 ). An example is al-dalwu "the bucket" with the 3rd radical sound w. 9. 1.16. The glide, the y, is vowelled by a tjamma and pre­ ceded by a sukiin: the transfer of the tjamma to the vowelless segment preceding it, the change of the tjamma into a kasra and the change of the y into i: The phonological changes concerning this sequence are the following: -"yu (" stands for vowelless segment) with the y vow­ elled by a Q.arnma and preceded by a sukun becomes -uy after that the y 's Q.arnma is shifted to the vowelless segment preceding it. As the Q.arnma precedes the vowelless y, the Q.arnma is changed into a kasra so that it becomes iy. As the kasra precedes the y, the y is changed into t or lengthened i: t, so that it becomes (i)l. Such a sequence occurs in the passive participle of the verb with 2nd radical y of the conjugation yarilu, e.g. yabyi cu "he sells", namely maby(u)u cun "sold" which becomes mab(i)lcun. The steps are maby(u)u cun > mabuyu cun of which the u is elided to hinder the succession of two vowelless segments re­ sulting i n mabuycun of which the u is changed into i, namely mabiycun > mab(i)lcun of which the i is lengthenened (cf. par. 6.5.7.). 9. 1. 16. 1. The soundness of the glide: The glide remains sound in the noun or in the adjective i n the following case: 1 - The glide should not be vowelled by a vowel that i s not supplied by the basic form.

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IRREGULAR VERBS A N D PHONOLOG ICAL C H A N G ES IN ARABIC

1- The glide should not be vowelled by a vowel that is not supplied by the basic form: The y remains sound if it is the 3rd radical of a noun that car­ ries the marker of the declension, and thus the vowel is not sup­ plied by the basic form but by an external reason having to do with syntax (for this condition see 9. 1 . and compare the case of al-dalwu with the 3rd radical w par. 9. 1 . 1 5 : 2.). An example is al-ramyu "the throwing" (cf. Akesson, Ibn Mascad 286: fol. 29a) in which the y is vowelled and preceded by a sukiln. If a phonological change is to be carried out in it, it would imply the transfer of its various vowels of declension: the qarnrna in the case of the nominative, the fat:Qa i n the case of the accusative and the kasra in the case of the genitive to the vow­ elless segment preceding this vowel. I n the case of the qarnrna, al-ramyu would become al-ramuy and then the y would have to be changed into a vowelless w to accord with the qamma preced­ ing it, namely al-ram(u)u. I n the case of the fat:l:la, al-ramya would become al-ramay and then the y would have to be changed i nto a vowelless a to accord with the fat:Qa preceding it, namely al-ram( a)a. I n the case of the kasra, al-ramyi would be­ come al-ramiy and the vowelless y would be changed into f, namely al-ram(i)i. In all the three cases, the declinable ndun would have to end with a vowelless segment without any marker of declension, which is the reason why it is preferred that in or­ der to safeguard the marker of the declension, the y, remains sound. Another example of a declinable substantive is al-:r,abyu "the gazelle" with the 3rd radical sound y.

CHAJ-YfER 9: THE SOU N D N ESS OR TI-lE U NSOU N D N ESS OF THE G LI DE

1 87

9. 1.1 7. The glide, the w or y, is vowelless and preceded by a kasra: its change into a y or i respectively: The general rule is that the vowelless glide that is preceded by a vowel is changed into a segment of the nature of the vowel pre­ ceding it. The reason of this change is the weakness of the state of the glide, which is vowelless, and the influence of the vowel, whether it is a kasra or a Qa.mma, preceding it, on it (cf. Akes­ son, Ibn Mascud 282: 27a). If the glide is a vowelless w preceded by a kasra it is changed into a lengthened y: -iw

-7

-Iy > (i)i

An example is miwziinun that becomes m(i)yziinun

>

m(i)iziinun "balance" (cf. par. 1 0. 1 .8.2.). If the glide is a vowelless y preceded by a kasra it is changed into a lengthened y (cf. Wright, l l , 80). -iy

-7

-(i)l

An example is the imperative :Jiysir that becomes :J(i)isir "be well off! ". 9.1.18. The transposition of segments in some nouns: An example is qisiyyun underlyingly quw(u)usun which is the pl . of qawsun "bow" (cf. Akesson, Ibn Mascud 292: fols. 30b-3 1 a, Howell, I, fasc. l l i , 930, IV, fasc. I, 1 583- 1 585, de Sacy, I, 1 08, Vernier, I, 340-34 1 ). It is so that quw( u)usun is formed according to the pattern fu c(u)ulun in which the radicals are transposed resulting i n qusuwwun formed according to ful(u)u cun and not fu c(u)ulun, as if it is the pl. of qaswun and not of qawsun. I n qusuwwun the waws are changed into ya�s because they occur at the extremity

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IRREGULAR VERBS A N D PHONOLOGICAL C H A N G ES IN ARABIC

of the word, which is deemed as heavy, resulting in qusuyyun, then the aJ:tibt: = Ibn Faris, Al)mad, al-$aJ:tibt:fifiqh al-luga wa­ sanan al- carab fi kalamiha, Ed. M. al-Chouemi , (bibliotheca Philologica; 1), Beyrouth 1 382/ 1 963. Ibn Ginni, de Flexione

=

Ibn Ginnii, Abu 1-Fath c utman, de Flex­

ione Libellvs, Ed. G. Hoberg, Lipsiae, 1 885. Ibn Ginni, !Ja�a :Ji� = Ibn Ginni, Abu 1-Fatl) c U!Jnan, al-tfa�a:Ji�, Ed. M. A. al-Naggar, 3 vol ., Cairo 1 37 1 1 1 952- 1 376/ 1 956. Ibn Ginni, Luma c

=

Ibn Ginni, Abu 1-Fath c utman, Kitab al­

luma c fi-n-naJ:tw, Ed. H . M . Kechrida, Uppsala 1 976. Ibn Ginni, Mun�if = Ibn Ginni, Abu 1-Fatl) c u!man, al-Mun�iffi sarJ:t ta�rif al-Mazint, Ed. I . Mu��afli, c A . Amin, 3 vol ., Cairo 1 373/ 1 954- 1 3791 1 960. Ibn Ginni, Sirr = Ibn Ginni, Abu 1-Fatl) c U!Jnan, Sirr �ina cat al­ i crab, Ed. J:I. Hindawi, 2 vol ., Damascus 1 405/ 1 985. Ibn ijalawaihi, Qira :Jat = Ibn ijalawaihi, Abu c Abd Allah al­ J:Iusain b. Al)mad, JC rab al-qira :Jat al-sab c wa- "ilaluha, Ed. c Abd al-Ral)man b. Su1aiman al-e Atimain, 2 vol., Cairo 1 4 1 3/ 1 992.

B I BLIOGRAPHY

223

Ibn Hisam, Mugn"i = Ibn Hisam, Gamal al-Din Abu Muf:.l ammad c Abdallah b. Yiisuf, Mugnt l-lablb can kutub al- :Ja ciirtb, 2 vol., Ed. M. Mubarak and M . c A. I:I. Allah, Beirut 1 972. Ibn Malik, La A/fiya = Ibn Malik, Muf:.lammad b. c Abd Allah, La JAlfiyyah d'lbnu-Malik [pp.

1 -227], suivie de (->) La

Liimiyyah du meme auteur (pp. 228-353) avec traduction et notes en fran�ais et un lexique des termes techniques par A . Goguyer, Beyrouth 1 888. Ibn M�lir = Ibn Man�iir, Gamal al-Din, Lisiin al- cArab, 6 vol., Beirut undated. �bn al-Sarrag, J U�ul = Ibn al-Sarrag, Abu Bakr, al- J U�ul fi l­ Na!Jw, Ed. c A. I:I . al-Fatli, Beirut 1 4081 1 988. Ibn c u �fiir = Ibn c u�fiir al-Asbili, Abii V Abbas c Ali b. Mu�min, al-Mumti c fi l-ta�rif,

Ed. F.

al-Din Qabawih, Aleppo

1 390/ 1 970. Ibn Wallad, Maq�ur = Ibn Wallad, Abu 1-c Abbas Af:.Imad b. Mul:Jammad, Kitiib al-maq�ur wa-l-mamdud calii IJuruf al­ mu cgam, Part /, Contributions towards A rabic Philology, Ed. Paul Bronnle, Leiden 1 900. Ibn YaciS = I bn Yacis, Muwaffaq al-Din Abu 1-Bara� Yacis, Sari; al-mufa��al, 2 vol., Beirut undated. Ibn Yacl8, Mulukt = Ibn YaciS, Muwaffaq al-Din Abu 1Bara� Yacis, Sari; al-muluk"i fi l-ta�rif, Ed. Fabr al-Din Qabawa, Aleppo 1 393/ 1 973. Mu�addib, Ta�rif = Al-Mu �addib, al-Qasim b. M uf:.lammad b. Sac1d, Daqfi:Jiq al-ta�rif, Ed. A. N . al-Qaisi, 1:1. � - al-:Qarnin and 1:1. Tural, Iraq 1 407/ 1 987. Ragif:).i, Bast! = Ragif:).i, c Abdo, al-Bas"i! fi cilm al-�arf, Alexandria s.a.

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IRREGULAR VERBS A N D PHONOLOG ICAL C H ANGES IN ARABIC

Slbawaihi = Sibawaihi, Abu Bisr c Amr b. c U!mful, Le Livre de Sibawaihi (Kitab Si:bawaihi), Traite de grammaire arabe, Ed. H . Derenbourg, 2 vol., Paris 1 88 1 - 1 889. Reimpression: 1 970. Sirblni:, A gurriimi:ya = see Carter, Linguistics. Suyu�, Asbah = Al-Suyufi, Galiil al-Din Abu 1-Fa