The phonology of coronal nasal debuccalization in Koranic recitation

Other Title(s)

دراسة صوتيه في إخفاء النون الساكنة أثناء تلاوة القرآن الكريم

Dissertant

al-Huwayti, Hammud Aodah

Thesis advisor

Mobaidin, Husam E.

University

Mutah University

Faculty

Faculty of Arts

Department

Department of English Language and Literature

University Country

Jordan

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2011

English Abstract

-This thesis aims at providing an Optimality-theoretic analysis of the coronal nasal debuccalization (i.e.

loss of the place of articulation feature) in koranic recitation, known in traditional grammar as the prescription of 'ikhfaa'.

After investigating the phenomenon and related phenomena and projecting a particular version of Optimality Theory, namely, Optimality Theory with Candidate Chains, the researcher provides plausible answers to a number of questions that would be posed by the initiated.

The coronal nasal’s failure to remain debuccalized rather than fully assimilate to a following homorganic obstruent will be attributed to the influence of other aspect of the phonology of koranic recitation.

This phonology forces the lateral representing the definite article, itself a coronal, to fully assimilate to a following coronal.

The same phonology takes cognizance of the extremely high frequency of the coronal nasal, the full assimilation of which, would defy the very goals of rules of pronunciation, minimizing articulatory effort and minimizing perceptual confusion.

In view of the findings of this thesis, the researcher proposes that the condition of Harmonic Improvement espoused by Optimality Theory with Candidate Chains be modified in such a way that it takes cognizance not only of syntagmatic relations but also of paradigmatic ones.

Main Subjects

Languages & Comparative Literature

Topics

• Phonetics

No. of Pages

38

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-303816