The syntax of the Arabic DP
This thesis provides a minimalist account of the Arabic DP. The data used comes from Modern Standard Arabic and Makkan Arabic, a spoken variety used in Saudi Arabia. Using two varieties provides a more complete picture of Arabic DPs and sheds light on the relationship between standard and spoken Arabic. I argue that head-to-spec movement takes place in all Arabic DPs and that this movement is a cyclic, minimalist alternative to standard Head Movement. I claim that the basic differences between Simple DPs and Free States on the one hand and Construct States on the other are derivable from the D projected in each structure; definite or indefinite D are projected in the former and Construct State D in the latter. I analyse Construct States headed by a number of categories: nouns, quantifiers, nominalised adjectives, numerals and verbal nouns. I claim that the similarities between these constructs are due to the use of Construct State D, and the special behaviour of each type is a reflection of the category of the head projected below D. I propose that the Arabic lexicon is rich and I present evidence for some complex word formation processes. Moreover, I propose that complex adjectives, often referred to in the
Bardeas, Suzanne Mahmoud
The syntax of the Arabic DP. This thesis provides a minimalist account of the Arabic DP. The data used comes from Modern Standard Arabic and Makkan Arabic, a spoken variety used in Saudi Arabia. Using two varieties provides a more complete picture of Arabic DPs and sheds light on the relationship between standard and spoken Arabic. I argue that head-to-spec movement takes place in all Arabic DPs and that this movement is a cyclic, minimalist alternative to standard Head Movement. I claim that the basic differences between Simple DPs and Free States on the one hand and Construct States on the other are derivable from the D projected in each structure; definite or indefinite D are projected in the former and Construct State D in the latter. I analyse Construct States headed by a number of categories: nouns, quantifiers, nominalised adjectives, numerals and verbal nouns. I claim that the similarities between these constructs are due to the use of Construct State D, and the special behaviour of each type is a reflection of the category of the head projected below D. I propose that the Arabic lexicon is rich and I present evidence for some complex word formation processes. Moreover, I propose that complex adjectives, often referred to in the
syntax arabic provide minimalist account arabic data_use come modern_standard arabic arabic spoken variety use saudi_arabia using variety provide_complete picture arabic dps shed_light relationship standard speak arabic argue head spec movement take_place arabic dps movement minimalist alternative standard head_movement claim basic difference simple dps free states one_hand construct states structure definite indefinite project former construct state latter analyse construct states head number category noun quantifier adjective numeral verbal noun claim similarity construct due use construct state special behaviour type reflection category head project propose arabic lexicon rich present_evidence complex word_formation process moreover propose complex adjective often_refer