Supra Segmental Phonology in Skaka Dialect and Its Relation to the Modern Standard Arabic

Atalah Al-Rubaat,Anas Ahmed Qarqaz

doi:10.4236/ojml.2019.95027

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying and documenting some linguistic phenomena in the temporary dialect of Skakans at Al-Jouf region in the northern part of Saudi Arabia. Two major linguistic phenomena: the Istintta and the Kaskasa have been investigated. The study has also interpreted and originated these phenomena taking into consideration their possible relationship with the Classical Standard Arabic (SA) and Semitic languages. A random sample of Skakan people (tribal) was interviewed through a semi-structured interview format based on a deep review of related literature. Data gathered were analyzed using a mixed methodology employing the descriptive approach to analyze and interpret these linguistic phenomena and the historical approach to trace their origins and find out their relationship with the SA and Semitic languages. Content analysis and comparative approaches were also used. Findings indicated that the relationship between the investigated phenomena and the SA was strong in certain cases and weak in others. It was concluded that this instable relationship was beyond avoiding documenting the dialects of people living around the Arabian Peninsula borders by old Arab Linguists.

Highlights

Two different views regarding the Arab tribes living in the Arabian Peninsula were adopted by the old linguists: the first believed that some tribes were superior to others, and their dialects were fully or partially a clear pattern of Standard Arabic
This study found that the linguistic phenomena: Istintta and Kaskasa were normal manifestations of some Standard Arabic (SA) dialects for some Arab tribes in the northern region of Saudi Arabia as can be seen in the above discussion
The old Arab linguists avoided recording these phenomes within normal dialects of SA due to many reasons such as their misbelief that they are inferior because they are used by “inferior” tribes living around the borders

Summary

Introduction

Two different views regarding the Arab tribes living in the Arabian Peninsula were adopted by the old linguists: the first believed that some tribes were superior to others, and their dialects were fully or partially a clear pattern of Standard Arabic. Arabic speakers (Ibn-Fares, 1997). Another evidence supporting this view is found in Hawazen Tamim tribes such as Sad bin Bakr tribe, Jusham Bin Bakr tribe, Nasser Bin Muawiaa tribe and Thaqief tribe according to Al-Suyuti (1998). Some linguists ignored some dialects leaving them unnamed or described. These latter attitudes continued by successive linguists and scholars for along age until they were consolidated and related dialects became less important than SA for any language study

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion