Abstract
This study investigated the acquisition of word-patterns and roots in the nominal system of the spoken language of Palestinian Arabic (PA) and its distance from Standard Arabic (StA). It described, analyzed, and quantified the nominal system (roots and word-patterns) as reflected in the language corpus of Palestinian-Arab kindergarteners 3 to 6 years old. The results showed that non-linear derived nouns (deverbal nouns) are the most frequently used category (49.5%). Primitive nouns comprise 43.1% of the nouns, whereas linear derived nouns barely exist before children start school (0.3%). Additionally, the results showed that half of the nouns were built from common word-patterns and roots between PA and StA, whereas 30% of the nouns were constructed from different word-patterns with common roots. Although PA and StA have much in common morphologically, there exists a significant degree of divergence.
Highlights
The basic vocabulary acquired by preschool-age children is primarily derived from spoken language
Since our research focused on nouns, we will expand our description of the nominal system
This study investigated the developmental trajectory of the morphological structures of Arabic nouns as reflected in the language corpus of native Arabic-speaking 3- to 6-year-old children in the regional dialect known as Palestinian Arabic in the north of Israel
Summary
The basic vocabulary acquired by preschool-age children is primarily derived from spoken language This core lexicon develops during the school years to become the mental lexicon of literate adults (Ravid, 2004). Morphology is considered one of the major organizing devices of the mental lexicon of many languages, which relates structural and semantic constituents within words (Marslen-Wilson, 2007).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
