A Study of Arabic Phonology [Paperback]

Joyce Akesson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2010

Phonology is the study of the changes that can affect a word, and sometimes even two words, for different reasons relating to a certain implied heaviness, like the existence of two identical letters or two letters that are close to each other or a hamza or a weak letter. The phonological changes are recognized as the assimilation of a letter to another, the substitution of a letter for another, the addition or elision of a letter or vowel and the transfer of a letter or vowel to another position. This study explores in detail when these changes are necessary, allowed or forbidden. The presentation of the rich data, the theoretical analyzes of the phonological elements and the references to the different works from the classical period of the 8th century until our days, offer a detailed and accessible study for both the students and researchers of Arabic.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joyce Akesson has studied the Semitic languages at Lund's University, Sweden, and has previously been a lecturer there during many years. Beside the present book, she is the author of "The Basics & Intricacies of Arabic Morphology" (Pallas Athena 2010), "The Phonological Changes due to the Hamza and Weak Consonant in Arabic" (Pallas Athena 2010), "A Study of the Assimilation and Substitution in Arabic" (Pallas Athena 2010), "The Essentials of the Class of the Strong Verb in Arabic" (Pallas Athena 2010), "The Complexity of the Irregular Verbal Nominal Forms & the Phonological Changes in Arabic" (Pallas Athena Distribution 2009), "Arabic Morphology and Phonology: Based on the Marah Al-Arwah by Ahmad B. Ali B. Masud" (Studies in Semitic Languages and Linguistics, Brill Academic Publishers 2001) and "Ahmad B. 'Ali B. Mas'Ud on Arabic Morphology Marah Al-Arwah: Part 1:The Strong Verb" (Studia Orientalia Ludensia, Vol 4, Brill Academic Pub 1990). She has also published several articles about Arabic linguistics in two Journals, the Journal of Arabic Linguistics (the ZAL or Zeitschrift für Arabische Linguistik) Wiesbaden, and the previous Acta Orientalia, Denmark. She has also written a lemma about sarf "morphology/phonology in the Encyclopaedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics, vol. 4. Leiden: Brill, 20.

Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Pallas Athena (August 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9197895490
• ISBN-13: 978-9197895491
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,042,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joyce Akesson has studied the Semitic languages at Lund's University, Sweden and has previously been a lecturer there during many years. She is the author of nine books about foreign linguistics: "Causes and Principles in Arabic", "A Study of Arabic Phonology", "The Basics & Intricacies of Arabic Morphology", "The Phonological Changes due to the Hamza and Weak Consonant in Arabic", "A Study of the Assimilation and Substitution in Arabic", "The Essentials of the Class of the Strong Verb in Arabic", "The Complexity of the Irregular Verbal and Nominal Forms & the Phonological Changes in Arabic", "Arabic Morphology and Phonology based on the Marah" and "Ahmad b. Ali b. Masud on Arabic Morphology, Part One: The Strong Verb".
She has also published several articles about Arabic linguistics in two Journals, the Journal of Arabic Linguistics (the ZAL or Zeitschrift für Arabische Linguistik) Wiesbaden, and the previous Acta Orientalia, Denmark. She has also written a lemma about sarf "morphology/phonology in the Encyclopaedia of Arabic Language and Linguistics, vol. 4. Leiden: Brill, 20.
She is also the author of three books of poems "Love's Thrilling Dimensions", "The Invitation" and "Majnun Leyla: Poems about Passion".
Two of her poems have also been selected in an Anthology in the UK, "The New Poetry: In Love".

You can check her web page www.joyceakesson.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive!!, August 1, 2011

By 

D. Lynn "David" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Study of Arabic Phonology (Paperback)

This comprehensive book places special emphasis on the phonological changes which occur in the Arabic language. The essential themes in Arabic phonology are the assimilation, the changes due to the hamza, the unsoundness due to the weak letter, i.e. the w and y, and the substitution. Each theme in this book has its own chapter and takes up and studies in detail various examples illustrating the diverse phonological changes, the sequences leading or prohibiting their occurrences, and some various anomalies.
The vast table of contents and the indexes referring to qur'anic quotations, verses of poetry and names of people are very detailed. One the one hand, they will help the reader to find the topics that interest him or her quickly, and on the other, they will stimulate him or her for further research. The book's references to the classical Arab grammarians, e.g. Sibawaihi, Ibn Jinni, al-Mu'addab,Zamakhshari,Ibn al-Anbari etc., and to modern linguists, makes it a very instructive and useful tool.
I can highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very beautiful and useful book!!, August 13, 2010

By 

Andrew Heaney (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Study of Arabic Phonology (Paperback)

This is a very beautiful and useful book that will fascinate many readers who are interested in getting an in-depth study of the various aspects of Arabic phonology. The different changes that can affect a word are discussed and analyzed in detail. The readers will be satisfied with the rich data, the advanced theories and the references to important linguistic works. Furthermore, the numbered paragraphs and numerous indexes offer a great structure to the work and are of great help for finding quickly the topics of interest.

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and comprehensive!, September 7, 2010

By 

Sindibad reviews - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Study of Arabic Phonology (Paperback)

This book presents basic and thought-provoking themes relating to the phonological changes that a word can be submitted to in the classical Arabic language. The author focuses on central topics, such as the assimilation, changes due to the hamza and weak letter, substitution, elision, addition, or transposition of vowels and letters.
It is a pleasure to see Arabic data, analyzes and theories presented in a modern study about Arabic phonology. The insights of Arab grammarians are integrated into mainstream linguistics, and in this manner the result is favorable for both Arabs and Arabists.