The š negator and the negative particle lā in Bedouin dialects of Jordan

Abstract

This paper provides a synchronic fieldwork-based description and analysis of the distribution and use of the innovative š negator and the rather conservative negative particle lā in Bedouin varieties of Jordan. The fieldwork was carried out in August 2021 in the northern, central, and southern part of the country, including areas in the Mafraq, ʿAmmān, ʿAqaba and Maʿān Governorates. The Bedouin tribes under study were Al-Masāʿīd, Al-ʿAḏ āmāt, Aš-Šurufāt, Az-Zubayd, As-Sirḥān, As-Sardīya, Bani Ḫālid, Al-Kaʿābna, Bani ʿAṭṭīya, Bani Ṣaḫar, Az-Zalābya, Az-Zawāyda, Al-Ḥwēṭāt, An-Nʿēmāt, and Al- Bdūl. Based on the collected data of the present research, we find that in general, the Bedouin tribes of Jordan still refrain from a regular use of the š negator with verbal predicates, although they often use it with non-verbal predicates and in the existential negation. This paper also attempts to shed light on the use of the negative particle lā in the aforesaid studied varieties. Although the use of lā has undoubtfully decreased over time, it still remains in various cases in the Jordanian Bedouin dialects. Apart from its expected use in the negative imperative and in negative coordination structures, lā also appears to a lesser but not insignificant extent with verbal and non-verbal predicates. Keywords: Arabic dialectology, negation, Bedouin dialects, Jordan