Subject, Theme and Agent in Modern Standard Arabic

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies
Cover of the book Subject, Theme and Agent in Modern Standard Arabic by Hussein Abdul-Raof, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Hussein Abdul-Raof ISBN: 9781136107542
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: October 28, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Hussein Abdul-Raof
ISBN: 9781136107542
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: October 28, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Investigates the universal categories 'subject', 'theme', and 'agent' with special reference to their functional status in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and how these three distinct functions may or may not coincide in Arabic sentences. These functions are inexplicitly characterised by classical and modern Arab linguists and Arabists alike.
It has been found that the pre- (viz. sentence - initial) or post-verbal noun phrase (NP) in Arabic can be assigned the syntactic function 'subject' but may not necessarily assume the semantic function 'agent', that the pre-verbal NP, which may not necessarily be the 'subject', has the pragmatic function 'theme', and that these distinct functions sometimes cluster around a single NP in certain sentences, depending on genre.
It has also been found that in MSA the order of sentence constituents is relatively free, subject to a verb-initial preference, especially when needed to prevent ambiguity.
The present study reveals the fact that although coding features such as word order, case marking, and cross-referencing (viz. agreement) may provide a clear indication of which NPs are 'subjects' in MSA, they do not provide a clear-cut indication of semantic relations such as 'agent'; the 'subject' position in MSA is not necessarily the canonical 'agent' position.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Investigates the universal categories 'subject', 'theme', and 'agent' with special reference to their functional status in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and how these three distinct functions may or may not coincide in Arabic sentences. These functions are inexplicitly characterised by classical and modern Arab linguists and Arabists alike.
It has been found that the pre- (viz. sentence - initial) or post-verbal noun phrase (NP) in Arabic can be assigned the syntactic function 'subject' but may not necessarily assume the semantic function 'agent', that the pre-verbal NP, which may not necessarily be the 'subject', has the pragmatic function 'theme', and that these distinct functions sometimes cluster around a single NP in certain sentences, depending on genre.
It has also been found that in MSA the order of sentence constituents is relatively free, subject to a verb-initial preference, especially when needed to prevent ambiguity.
The present study reveals the fact that although coding features such as word order, case marking, and cross-referencing (viz. agreement) may provide a clear indication of which NPs are 'subjects' in MSA, they do not provide a clear-cut indication of semantic relations such as 'agent'; the 'subject' position in MSA is not necessarily the canonical 'agent' position.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book How to Manage a Successful Press Conference by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book Old World Traits Transpl:Esc V by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book The Metaphysical Poets by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book Performing Memory in Art and Popular Culture by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book Nadine Gordimer (Routledge Revivals) by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book Personality Structure and Human Interaction by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book Antonio Gramsci by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book The Concept of the Goddess by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book The End of Gender by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book Open Government (Routledge Revivals) by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book The Making of Marx's Critical Theory (RLE Marxism) by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book The Elizabethan Player by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book Mulla Sadra and Metaphysics by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book Interpretive Approaches to Global Climate Governance by Hussein Abdul-Raof
Cover of the book Jaina Scriptures and Philosophy by Hussein Abdul-Raof
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy