The syntax of verbal measure II in Classical Arabic

• Published in: Recherches linguistiques de Vincennes Vol. 39; pp. 69 - 94
• Main Author: Arbaoui, Nora
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: 01.01.2010
• ISSN: 0986-6124

Verbal measure II in Classical Arabic is characterized by geminated second consonant of the root. It vehicles different values: causative, intensive, estimative and denominative. Guerssel and Lowenstamm proposed a morphophonological analysis of this measure based on the existence of a derivational position (CV) in a template of the form: CV (CV) CVCV, which allows the realization of the geminate. However, the different interpretations conveyed by this measure did not find a satisfying explanation within the frame of such analysis. This paper is an attempt at offering a syntactically-based analysis of measure II in Classical Arabic, that provides an explicit elucidation not only of the origin of the derivational (CV) and the CV positions of the template, but also of the various semantic interpretations denoted by measure II. In the proposed analysis we demonstrate that the structure of verbal measure II includes VP, vP and a vP projection, just like French causative verb does. Furthermore, the root is not just considered as a sequence of three consonants, but as a domain that projects its own arguments. In this article, the value of the root existence is emphasized as well as the ability of syntax to offer solutions to problems long been considered morphophonological ones. Adapted from the source document