Derivation of Verbs from Loanwords in Arabic According to Arabic Derivational Paradigms

Abstract

A sample of 186 loanwords with derived verbs in Arabic was collected and analyzed to explore how these verbs are derived from loanwords; part of speech of the derivable source loanwords; which derivational verb patterns are followed; why verbs are derivable from some loanwords but not from others; and the constraints imposed on the derivation of verbs from loanwords. Data analysis revealed that some loan verbs remain as they are when borrowed in Arabic (comment, update). In 41%, the derived verbs in Arabic are an Arabization of the verbs in the doner language. In 59%, Arabic speakers derive a verb from loan nouns for which no derived verbs exist in the doner (source) language. In 12% of the loanwords, two verbs are derived which follow adifferent derivational patterns, with a different meaning and transitivity. The derived verbs in the sample follow nine Arabic derivational patterns regardless of the source language. A root consisting of 3, 4 or 5 consonants is extracted from the loan word, with vowels added in between. 82% follow five quadri-consonantal paradigms and 16% follow three quinque-consonantal paradigms. The most productive paradigm is فعلل /fa؟lal/ CVCCVC (Afghanize > أفغن/?afɣan/ (VT, make Afghani in character or nationality); Amalgamate > ملغم /malɣam/; Americanize > أمرك /?amrak/ (46%). The second most productive paradigm is فعّل /fa؟؟al/ CVCCVC (19%) as in Gypsum> جبّس/dʒabbas/ (VT); hacker> هكر /hakkar/ (VT); hang>هنج /hannag/ (VI); Latinize>لتن /lattan/ (VT). The quinque-consonantal paradigms تفعلل /tafa؟lal/ CVCVCVC is used in 9% of the loanwords as in democratize > دمقرط/damaqraT/ (VT). The tri-consonantal paradigm is the least productive (2%) as in Ekleipsis (Gr) eclipse>كسف /kasafa/ (VI). All derived verbs herein conform to the Arabic phonotactic and morphotactic systems and are frequently used in daily speech. The same strategies for creating augmented verbs are used in all native but many loanwords. Verb derivation from nouns as countries is feasible but not used, and for others, it is not possible and is counter intuitive to extract consonants to form a root. Recommendations for the creation of a loanwords dictionary and a Arabic derivations’ dictionary are given.