In this classic of Arabic linguistics, A. F. L. Beeston explains the principles underlying the phonology, morphology, syntax, script, and grammar of modern written Arabic, which has changed little since Arabic grammarians outlined the language in the eighth century.
Originally published in 1970, The Arabic Language Today begins with a useful introduction to the development of the language from the fifth and sixth centuries through the nineteenth century. Beeston goes on to describe the logical structure of the language, to consider the development of the lexicon, and to comment on how the language has diverged from the Classical.
For general and comparative linguists who want to know how Arabic works and for people with some working knowledge of the language who want to know more about the theory behind it, Beeston's work is a fine structural analysis and careful examination of Standard Arabic from a theoretical standpoint.
Concise and brief in length, this book presents a wealth of information and is a challenging yet rewarding read for linguists, scholars, and students of Arabic. It includes an appendix of script styles and a bibliography.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
1. Introduction and Historical Background
2. Phonology
The phonemic repertory
Syllable structure
Neutralization of length
Accent
Word Juncture
3. The Script
Transliteration
4. The Word
5. Entity Terms: I
Verbal Abstract
Participles
Derivational nouns
Definition
Number and gender
Pronouns
Demonstratives
6. Amplification of Substantives
Adjectives
The annexion structure
Prepositional amplification
Adjectival clauses
7. Syntactic Markers of Nouns
8. Entity Terms: II
Substantive clauses
The intensified noun
Designations of colour, etc.
Numerals
9. Theme and Predicate
Theme
Predicate
10. The Verb
Verb stems
Verb sets
Modifying verbs
The non-specific verb
Syntactically determined variations in the verb
Commands, etc.
Conclusion
11. Amplification of the Predicate
Circumstancial clauses
12. Clause Conversion
Substantive clauses
Adjectival clauses
Circumstancial clauses
13. Functionals
Coordination
Subordination
Negation
Questions
Emphasis
14. Conditional Structures
15. Word Order
16. Lexicon and Style
Appendix: Script Styles
Bibliography
Index
Reviews
"A landmark in Arabic linguistic thought because of the unsurpassed economy and sophistication of its description and the deep erudition of its author."—From the Foreword by Clive Holes
