An optimality-theoretic analysis of syllable structure in Qassimi Arabic

<p>This thesis examines syllable structure in Qassimi Arabic (QA), a Najdi dialect spoken in Al-Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Syllable-related phenomena in QA have not been fully addressed and understood because QA has not received attention in the available literature on syllable structure within Arabic dialects. Thus, the present study aims to provide an analysis of syllable structure in QA and to contribute to the current research on Arabic syllable structure. Adopting the framework of Optimality Theory, this study explores the effect of high vowel deletion on syllable structure and the treatment of superheavy syllables in QA. Results confirm three main arguments proposed in this study. First: onset clusters in QA are prohibited. Second: trimoraic syllables in QA are prohibited. Third: the concept of contiguity, which prevents internal epenthesis into certain strings, accounts for both the site of the epenthetic vowel and the existence of non-final CVVC and CVCC syllables.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English Language and Literature

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Al Motairi, Sarah Soror

Contributors dc:contributor

• Beverley Goodman, Ph.D., Chair
• T. Daniel Seely, Ph.D.

• Grammar
• Comparative and general
• phonology
• dialectology
• Saudi Arabia
• Arabic language
• Linguistics

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/612

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1991