An optimal theoretic-based analysis of consonant clusters in Quranic Arabic

Abstract EN

This study analyses consonant clusters in Quranic Arabic (QA).

It also investigates the phonological phenomenon affecting the syllable structure in the QA.

QA avoid clustering consonants in a single syllable.

Based on Optimality Theory (OT), Prince and Smolensky (1993) provide an account to prevent consonant clusters.

In this study, it is argued that the syllable pattern CVCC is the only pattern reflecting consonant cluster in QA.

however, this pattern is manifested by the interaction of two factors: (i) the short vowel omission and (ii) the resyllabification of a new syllable pattern.

accordingly, this study hypothesises that the syllable pattern CVCC is not basic in QA, since the consonants left after the omission of shorts vowels are joined to the preceding syllable which has an already made coda.

a s result, a complex coda is made at the end of the syllable to which the consonants left are attached forming a new non-basic syllable pattern CVCC.

Besides, this pattern occurs in final position only.

Other patterns such as CV, CVV and CVVC do not violate the rules of OT.

with the processes of inserting, omitting, modifying of certain vowels and a glottal stop, these pattern prevent consonant cluster.