MINISTERIO DE SALUD

The discussion in this section is focused on justifying the tested part of the hypothesis. I argue that there are several observations that provide compelling reasons for the implementation of this study. My focus here is on two of these observations. Firstly, the vocalic case markers have a phonological function, in that they prevent the final consonant clusters from surfacing as complex codas. Secondly, there is a vowel epenthesis process that has the same phonological function, phonetic values and locus in the modern Arabic dialects. This epenthesis process is documented in some phonologists research, (e.g., Kager, 1999; Kiparsky, 2003; Farwaneh, 2009) and some linguistic Arabicists‟ research, (e.g., Owens 1998a; 1998b; 2006).

3.3.1 The phonological function of the case markers in Arabic

It is evident that case endings in Classical Arabic, SA and MSA, in particular the short ones, are structurally functional. They contribute towards the formation of a phonological structure that does not consist of complexity in codas whether when attached to simplex bases or complex bases. This section aims to practically demonstrate this phonological function. On the other hand, possessing this phonological function makes it reasonable to question whether there are phonological consequences resulted from the loss of these multi-functional vocalic markers. As can be seen in the following data, only singular nominal stems are selected, as they are the tested nouns in the investigation of this study.

46 A. Stems inflected with case markers

Noun Case Nominative Accusative Genitive Meaning

1. /kalb/→ a. [kal.b-u] b. [kal.b-a] c. [kal.b-i] Dog

2. /ʕilm/→ a. [ʕil.m-u] b. [ʕil.m-a] c. [ʕil.mi] knowledge 3. /ħusn/→ a. [ħus.n-u] b. [ħus.n-a] c. [ħus.n-i] Beauty 4. /fa.raħ/→ a. [fa.ra.ħ-u] b. [fa.ra.ħ-a] c. [fa.ra.ħ-i] Happiness

B. Stems inflected with case markers and possessor inflections 5a. /kalb+u+hum/ → [kal.bu.hum] „their dog-Nom.‟

5b. /fa.raħ+u+hum/ → [fa.ra.ħu. hum] „her happiness-Nom‟

The examples (1), (2) and (3), clearly, show that when stems are underlyingly monosyllabic with a CVCC sequence, the absence of vocalic case markers would result in deriving a complex cluster in final-codas. This is confirmed even in the classical era and certainly in SA and MSA, with what is known as the pausing forms. Accordingly, the

standard pausing forms of the monosyllabic stems in the previous example are realized on

the surface level with complex codas as following: [kalb], [ʕilm] and [ħusn]. These types of monosyllabic words are what interest this study.

On the other hand, although the example /fa.raħ/ 9

does not have a consonant cluster underlyingly, the possibility for complexity in codas to surface still exist when the base is inflected with pronominal suffixes as shown in (5b). However, this complexity is avoided with the occurrence of a case marker on the surface. As shown the nominative marker (italic) in (5b) breaks the underlying consonant sequence (boldfaced). In doing so, the nominative marker syllabifies the last consonant of the stem as an onset when surfacing as a contextual form. This shows that neither complex codas nor complex onsets are favoured in Classical Arabic, SA and MSA. Yet, surfacing complex codas does not hold the same disfavour as complex onsets. This is because complex codas, even though are marked, but their markedness is conditioned since they are allowed to surface in a pausal position. This was mentioned before in chapter two but in different terminologies that emphasised that the superheavy syllable CVCC is restricted to pausal position. The focus on the types of coda in

9 _{This study will not consider such data. The example which is given here is mainly provided to explain the}

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this stage is because of the need to recognize their typology considering that the case inflections are final segments that prevent complex codas.

Therefore, with the loss of those markers that fulfil this phonological function, a change is expected in terms of the realizations of syllabicity in modern Arabic dialects. This change involves the occurrence of complexity in codas, especially in nominal words that consist of CVCC as roots. In addition, it is expected to find more consonant adjacency word- middle in the realization of bisyllabic and polysyllabic words.

3.3.2 Parallels between the epenthetic vowels and the vocalic case markers

I illustrate, practically, here how the epenthetic vowels parallel the vocalic case markers in terms of the position and the phonological function. Examples in (6) demonstrate these claimed parallels.

6a. /kalb +u+ha/ → [kalb-u-ha] “her dog Nom” in both Classical Arabic and MSA 6b. /kalb +ha/ → [tʃalib-ha] “her dog” in Iraqi Arabic

6c. /kalb +ha] → [kalba-ha] “her dog” in Egyptian Arabic

As highlighted, the epenthetic vowel that is found in Egyptian Cairene Arabic, (i.e., 6c) clearly mirrors the case marker. On the other hand, one may argue that the epenthetic vowel in (6b) unlike (6c) differs with respect to the locus. However, it does prevent the realization of a complex coda on the surface by syllabifying the second consonant of the –CC as onset. Hence, even though it differs in the locus but it has the same phonological function of the lost case markers.

Another parallel that is of interest is related to the value of the epenthetic vowels. In that, Owens (2006) declares:

The epenthetic vowel is usually a high vowel whose precise value, front, back or mid, is determined by consonant context. In a few dialects, including WAS and Cairene, the value of the epenthetic vowel is determined by the nature of the following consonant formed by the pronominal suffix. There are three epenthetic vowel values, [i,u,a].

(Owens, 2006:108)

I take this as another piece of evidence for the argued relationship between the epenthetic vowels and the lost case markers since it demonstrates that there is an acknowledgment that the epenthetic vowels and the markers exhibit the same phonetic values.

As a consequence for these observed parallels in the function, quality and locus between the lost case markers and the modern epenthetic vowels, a study is required to

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determine whether there is a historical relationship between the two. The speculation is that the epenthetic vowels stem from the loss of vocalic endings, or in other words compensate them phonologically.