Analysis of Colloquial Elements in the Text of 'Usfur al-Mulaqqab'
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Der sudlibanesische dialekt von ez
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Original source:
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Jussi Aro
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Der sudlibanesische dialekt von ez
Year: 1978 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5120
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
In April 1970, Jussi Aro traveled to Lebanon and Syria with a scholarship from the Finnish Academy to conduct field recordings of Arabic dialects primarily for educational purposes. During his research, he recorded nine folktales from Ahmed Izzeddin, an elderly man originally from Deir Qanun near Tyre, while also investigating how much of his original dialect remained since he had moved to Beirut early in life. This initial exploration highlighted both the preservation of specific dialectical traits and the influences of a leveling effect from his new surroundings, leading Aro to seek further authentic dialect examples from the southern Lebanese village of ez-Zreriyye.
Preservation and Influence of Dialects
A key focus of Aro's research was the preservation of dialect features and the influence of urban dialects on rural speakers. Aro compared Ahmed Izzeddin's dialect with that of his son, who spoke a more balanced Beiruti dialect that had absorbed elements from the urban culture. This comparison revealed that while some phonetic characteristics were retained by Izzeddin, other aspects of his speech had been significantly altered, indicating a transitional process where original regional features were diluted through exposure to different dialect influences. The findings underscored the complexity of dialect preservation amid ongoing social and geographical changes.
Authenticity Through Local Engagement
Aro furthered his research by connecting with local speakers in the village of ez-Zreriyye, thanks to the assistance of a student named Bisr Mruwwe. Aro's immersive experience allowed him to gather authentic recordings that provided richer insight into the dialect's features, as he engaged with multiple villagers to discuss their daily lives. By obtaining approximately three hours of recordings, Aro established a sufficient foundation for analyzing the dialect's characteristics and integrating them into his study, demonstrating the value of direct engagement with local communities to enhance linguistic research.
Collaborative Efforts and Resources
Collaboration played a crucial role in Aro's research work, particularly with the support of Bisr's younger brother, Sahban Mruwwe, who had moved to Finland for studies. Sahban's assistance in transcribing the recordings ensured that the nuances of the dialect were accurately captured, especially given the difficulties of comprehending the rapidly spoken dialect and its unique lexicon. His insights and linguistic clarifications enriched Aro's findings significantly, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and local expertise in the study of dialects, which ultimately resulted in a more nuanced understanding of the language.
Conclusion
Aro's study of the southern Lebanese dialect of ez-Zreriyye not only highlighted the preservation of regional dialectal features amidst shifting influences but also underscored the necessity of immersive, collaborative research methods. The combination of authentic recordings, direct engagement with speakers, and the support of knowledgeable local informants provided a rich tapestry of linguistic data that facilitated a deeper exploration of dialectal identity. As Aro’s work came together, it illuminated the interplay between tradition and adaptation in dialects, contributing to the broader field of linguistic research on Arabic dialects.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the author's purpose for recording dialects in Lebanon?
The author aimed to gather material for teaching Arabic dialects, specifically by recording folk tales and examining dialect differences among speakers from various regions.
Who is Ahmed Izzeddin and what contributions did he make?
Ahmed Izzeddin is a storyteller from Deir Qanun who shared nine folk tales with the author, revealing distinct phonetic characteristics of the South Lebanese dialect.
What influence did Bisr Mruwwe have on the research?
Bisr Mruwwe provided valuable insights and recordings from his hometown, assisting the author in understanding and documenting the dialect of ez-Zreriyye.
What challenges did the author face while transcribing dialects?
Transcribing dialects was difficult due to speakers' quick and unclear speech, and some lexical peculiarities that were not available in existing dictionaries.
How did the author ensure the accuracy of the recordings?
The author relied on the assistance of Sahban Mruwwe, who provided contextual clarifications and accurate transcriptions of words that the author didn't understand.
What are some notable dialectal features observed in the texts?
The texts displayed phonetic uniqueness, such as the retention of certain sounds and variations in vowel pronunciation, illustrating regional differences in the Lebanese dialect.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Analysis of Colloquial Elements in the Text of 'Usfur al-Mulaqqab'”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Mutation:
The source text discusses 'mutation' as it applies to changes in phonetics and phonology within dialects, reflecting evolutionary shifts in language. For example, the change of the vowel sound represented as * > o is a linguistic mutation.
2) Language:
The study of the Hadit 'Usfur text involves comparing the orthographical and morphological elements with classical Arabic, reflecting differences and similarities in language evolution over time. Language analysis helps identify colloquial deviations.
3) Dialect:
The text focuses on the study of a specific dialect from South Lebanon, exemplified by the speech patterns and vocabulary of ez-Zreriyye. Dialect differences from classical Arabic are examined to understand linguistic evolution.
4) Evolution:
Language evolution is a central theme, examining how phonetic, orthographic, and morphological elements in South Lebanese dialects differ from classical Arabic. Evolutionary changes highlight significant shifts over generations.
5) Linguistics:
Linguistics is the broader field encompassing the analysis conducted in the source text, including the study of phonetics, morphology, and orthography to understand language structures and changes over time.
6) Pausha (Pausa):
In the phonological discourse, 'pausa' refers to forms that occur at the end of an utterance. For instance, vowels in pausa forms differ from those in context, impacting phonetic analysis.
7) Dishah (Disah):
Hadit 'Usfur al-Mulaqqab bi-'Abi Disah is a key text analyzed for its colloquial elements, illustrating deviations from classical Arabic orthography and morphology. 'Disah' is part of the narrative analyzed.
8) Error:
Scribal errors are considered when identifying deviations from classical norms. Some anomalies in the text may be due to copying errors rather than genuine linguistic changes. Error analysis aids in distinguishing true colloquial elements.
9) Cala:
The term 'cala' (classic) involves studying the linguistic elements in classical Arabic that align or deviate in the colloquial context, emphasizing the shifts observed in Arabic dialects.
10) Alli:
The word 'alli' appears in the text, illustrating how colloquial expressions are used in the spoken dialect as opposed to the classical forms. It provides context for the morphological study.
11) Ging:
The term 'ging' reflects phonetic or orthographic variations found in the dialectal studies mentioned in the text, crucial for understanding linguistic evolution.
12) Communication (Communicate, Communicated, Communicating):
Effective communication, whether in classical or colloquial forms, is examined through the linguistic elements in the text, shedding light on how language changes impact mutual understanding.
13) Possession:
'Possession' in linguistic terms could refer to the possessive constructions and how they vary between classical and dialectal Arabic, as analyzed in the text.
14) Retention:
Retention of certain phonetic or morphological characteristics from classical Arabic in dialects shows resistance to change, providing insight into language stability and evolution.
15) Ignorance (Ignorant):
'Ignorance' might be used pejoratively in linguistic studies to describe unawareness of linguistic norms, potentially leading to hyper-correction or atypical language forms.
16) Grammar:
The grammar of the dialect from South Lebanon, compared with classical Arabic, reveals deviations and adaptations in syntax and morphology, contributing to a deeper understanding of language structure.
17) Mahmud:
'Mahmud' is a personal name referenced in the text, indicating the use of proper nouns in the dialectal narrative, providing cultural context and serving as markers for linguistic patterns.
18) Winter:
Seasonal terms like 'winter' could reflect specific lexical choices or phonetic deviations in the dialect, showing how everyday vocabulary evolves.
19) Kamin:
The term 'kamin,' which appears in the text, provides insight into specific lexical entries unique to the dialect and their morphological structures.
20) Sarit:
'Sarit' could refer to a specific dialectal term or morphological form examined in the text, illustrating linguistic nuances unique to South Lebanese dialects.
21) Tandi (Tamdi):
Potentially reflecting a colloquial form, 'tandi' may show specific phonetic or morphological deviations worth analyzing within the dialect study.
22) Hasin:
Referring to a person or place, 'Hasin' might offer insight into naming conventions and their phonetic variations within the dialect.
23) Limit (Limiting, Limited):
Setting a 'limit' involves analyzing the boundaries of colloquial speech versus classical norms, identifying where deviations occur.
24) Antal (Andal):
'Antal' exemplifies dialectal vocabulary variations and their morphological implications in the overall linguistic study.
25) Tamal:
A term like 'damal' in the text would represent unique dialectal formations, showcasing how regional lexicon evolves differently from classical counterparts.
26) Atam:
'Adham,' another proper noun in the study, helps identify personal names' phonetic properties and their integration into dialectal narratives.
27) Kura (Kura°):
The term 'kura' illustrates phonological or morphological dialectal specifics that depart from classical norms captured in the text.
28) Cali (Celu):
'Cali' is used contextually to show dialectal differences in pronouns or prepositions, contributing to syntactic analysis in the text.
29) Daya:
The term 'daya' highlights regional lexical choices, demonstrating how specific words evolve differently in colloquial versus classical speech.
30) Cata:
'Cata' serves as an example of colloquial usage to be analyzed for phonetic or grammatical deviations from classical Arabic norms.
31) Heda:
As a potential dialect-specific term in the study, 'heda' provides evidence of how local speech forms differ from classical Arabic.
32) Venu:
'Venu,' potentially representing a unique morphological or phonetic element within the dialect, adds depth to the linguistic analysis.
33) Taal:
Referring broadly to language, 'taal' may be used to denote the study of lexical and morphological elements in dialectal Arabic compared to classical standards.
34) Yala:
The term 'yala,' common in colloquial Arabic, exemplifies the evolution of syntax and functional expressions within regional speech.
35) Mude:
'Mude,' reflecting a dialectal form, highlights phonetic variations or morphological specifics central to the study of language evolution.
36) Abil:
A term like 'abil' showcases how specific words or prefixes evolve in regional dialects, providing insights into linguistic shifts.