Description

The evolution of the derivational verbal system in Arabic by Vera Tsukanova explores the development of derived verb stems in Arabic over different periods, from pre-Islamic North Arabic to modern dialects. This comprehensive work combines diachronic and comparative methods, contributing to both linguistic history and dialectology of Arabic. Tsukanova defines the typological parameters necessary to describe Arabic verbal derivation and, based on these, systematically examines the morphology, semantics, and productivity of verb stems, analyzing inherited and innovative forms, as well as the impact of language and dialectal contact. The two main chapters address the historical development of verb stems in pre-classical to classical and Modern Standard Arabic and their evolution in contemporary Arabic dialects respectively. The four dialect groups, Levantine, Egyptian-Sudanese, Tunisian and Hassaniya, are selected for the in-depth semantic analysis, whereas other dialects are briefly described, focussing on their formal features. The main findings of the book are summarized in numerous tables and diagrams. Tsukanova uses statistical analysis of verb stems across various dictionaries in order to draw conclusions about changes in productivity. The work is recommended for specialists in Semitic linguistics, Arabic dialectology and linguistic typology and can be used in university courses on the theoretical and historical grammar of Arabic.