Negation and the subject position 
in San’ani Arabic

Elabbas Benmamoun, Khaled Al-asbahi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss a topic that has not received extensive attention within the lively debate about the syntax of sentential negation in Arabic varieties. The topic concerns the interaction between the subject of the sentence, particularly the pronominal subject, and the sentential negative. In most Arabic varieties, the pronominal subject precedes the sentential negative on a par with its lexical subject counterpart. San’ani Arabic, however, allows for the pronominal subject to follow the sentential negative. Assuming that the structure of sentential negation, and of the clause in general, is to a large extent uniform across dialects, we will provide an account that derives the somewhat peculiar pattern in San’ani Arabic and contrast it with a different pattern in Moroccan Arabic that illustrates a different manifestation of the interaction between negation and the pronominal subject. San’ani relies on cliticization (without movement) while Moroccan Arabic relies on head movement. In the course of the paper, we introduce data that have not figured prominently in the debate about sentential negation in Arabic varieties and also draw diachronic parallels between San’ani Arabic and Classical Arabic, where cliticization may have been the process that gave rise to the negative laysa.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPerspectives on Arabic Linguistics XXVI
Subtitle of host publicationPapers from the annual symposium on Arabic Linguistics. New York, 2012
EditorsReem Khamis-Dakwar, Karen Froud
PublisherJohn Benjamins Publishing Company
Pages75-90
ISBN (Electronic)9789027269683
ISBN (Print)9789027200303
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

Publication series

NameStudies in Arabic Linguistics
Volume2
ISSN (Print)2212-8042

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