Definiteness Marking in Earlier Stages of Arabic Areal Evidence from Classical Arabic Idols’ Names

Francesco Grande

doi:10.30687/annor/2385-3042/2021/01/002

Abstract

This study investigates definiteness marking in earlier stages of Arabic, based on a corpus of Classical Arabic idols' names attested in technical prose. The latter mentions not only Arabic idols, the names of which bear definite markers, but also the tribal units that worshipped them. Relying upon attestations of this sort, the present study investigates the areal distribution of definiteness marking in earlier stages of Arabic. Finally, it compares the results of such an investigation with the current knowledge on the areal distribution of definiteness marking in earlier stages of Arabic, based on epigraphic and dialectological evidence.

Highlights

This study investigates definiteness marking in the earlier stages of Arabic, with particular reference to its areal distribution, through an onomastic corpus that results from the usual stages of lexicographical work: the definition, selection, collection, and classification of descriptive units
The idol’s name l-ʿuzzā can be associated with this toponym on the basis of the tribal unit mentioned by Ibn Ḥazm, the Qurayš, as well as on the basis of the toponym Naḫla (i.e. Naḫlat al-Šāmiyya), which Ibn Ḥazm reports to be the place of worship of this idol: Naḫlat al-Šāmiyya is a location near Mecca
The location of some tribal units named in the lists remains uncertain. This drawback is partly compensated by the ancient toponyms that the same lists associate with some idols’ names, since the position of these toponyms on the map of the Arabian peninsula is generally well known

Summary

Objectives

It follows that resorting to manuscripts is not necessarily a conclusive method when assessing whether the idols’ names that bear no l-marker end in an nmarker or in a diptotic marker. (IV) The avowed aim of the paper is descriptive

Methods

Results

Conclusion