Reflexives in Arabic : a binding approach

Abstract EN

The paper considers how to account for the distribution and reference of the reflexive pronouns nafsahu / nafsuhu in Arabic within the Binding Theory.

Anaphoric nafsahu can appear in argument positions, whereas emphatic nafsuhu / nafsahu can appear mainly in non-argument positions.

It is shown that the Binding Theory can handle adequately the facts of Arabic reflexives.

Unlike the traditional view, it is proposed that reflexive should be treated as a compound word for this will help to capture the facts neatly.

It is also shown that Arabic lacks long distance reflexives because it does not have a morphologically simple reflexive nafs.