Superheavy syllables and the concept iltiqa as-sakinayn in traditional Arabic linguistic

Abstract EN

Keywords: Arabic phonology, iltiqd? as-sdkinayn, super-heavy syllables.

Abstract: Understanding the Arabic phonological concept iltiqd? as-sdkinayn is crucial to comprehend traditional studies on Classical Arabic phonology, particularly, aspects related to the syllabic structure of the language.

For instance, there is no distinction in traditional sources of Arabic linguistics between CWC and CVCC syllables; they are identical in being composed of mutaharrik + sdUn + sdkin and not because they are both super-heavy.

Hence, the Arabic term iltiqd? as-sdldnayn, the conjunction of two sdkin letters, refers to the final two segments of super-heavy syllables, CVVC and CVCC.

Traditionally, the account for avoiding syllabic structures such as CWC and CVCC is to prevent the phenomenon of iltiqd? as-sdkinayn.

Early Arab linguists touched upon the permissibility of sequences such as WCC and CCC and how ungrammatical sequences are repaired.

But it appears that they were describing the phonology of Arabic from a linear point of view, with no reference to units above the level of segments, e.g.

the syllable.

This article investigates certain syllabic aspects of Classical Arabic as described in ancient works on Arabic grammar and discusses the analyses that are presented in these works.