Some Notes on Arabic Reduplicated Verbal Roots

Abstract

The paper discusses the main semantic characteristics of the reduplicated four-consonantal verbal roots in Arabic, as well as the issues of the relationship between two-consonantal and reduplicated four-consonantal verbs. The aim of the research conducted on the Arabic language material was to more clearly outline the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the relationship between the roots under consideration. In general, for the formation of reduplicated four-consonantal roots, doubling of two root consonant phonemes is used, i.e., reduplication of two-consonantal verbal roots. The above-mentioned model is very productive in Arabic as well as in other Semitic languages. Analyzing Arabic language material has found and considered 349 verbal roots; among them were two-consonantal geminated verbs (214 units) as well as four-consonantal reduplicated ones (135 units). They form three groups, in particular: a.115 units that do not have reduplicated four-consonantal correlates have been identified,b. a small group of 36 units was found, which, on the contrary, do not have the corresponding two-consonantal roots, and finally, 99 units of pairs were identified, represented by both geminated two-consonantal and reduplicated four-consonantal roots. As a result of the semantic analysis of the considered roots, we can conclude the following: two consonantal verbal roots, which do not have reduplicated correlated ones, are characterized by semantic diversity. As for the reduplicated roots. most of them include two broad semantic groups, namely: a large part of them convey the semantics of intensive actions, and the other part is phonetic imitative ones - that is, onomatopoetic verbal roots.The paper examines the key semantic characteristics of reduplicated four-consonantal verbal roots in Arabic and explores the relationship between two-consonantal and reduplicated four-consonantal verbs. The research aims to clarify both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of this relationship within the Arabic language. In general, the formation of reduplicated four-consonantal roots involves the doubling of two consonant phonemes, a process known as reduplication of two-consonantal verbal roots. This model is highly productive not only in Arabic but also in other Semitic languages. The analysis of Arabic language materials identified and reviewed a total of 349 verbal roots. Among these, there are 214 two-consonantal geminated verbs and 135 four-consonantal reduplicated verbs. These roots can be categorized into three groups: a. A total of 115 units lack reduplicated four-consonantal correlates. b. A smaller group of 36 units does not have corresponding two-consonantal roots. c. Additionally, there are 99 units that form pairs, including both geminated two-consonantal and reduplicated four-consonantal roots. Through semantic analysis of the roots examined, we can conclude the following: Two-consonantal verbal roots without reduplicated counterparts exhibit significant semantic diversity. In contrast, most reduplicated roots fall into two broad semantic categories: a large portion conveys meanings associated with intensive actions, while the other group consists of phonetic imitative roots, or onomatopoeic verbal roots.