Arabic Phonology Assignment 2022
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Running head: ARABIC PHONOLOGY
ARABIC PHONOLOGY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note
ARABIC PHONOLOGY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note
ARABIC PHONOLOGY1
Introduction
Language hybridization is a phenomenon that is seen in multiple domains, especially
language. It can be defined as the as a process whereby separate processes which generate a
whole another entity which only shares certain features with its sources and is completely
compositional. Research says that multicultural Australian society operated with a specific
generated language form in certain linguistic environments. What is meant by this is that
English language scripts have the ability to merge with and embed into other native
languages to an extent of becoming a whole new variety. This process is called
Romanization. Within such a linguistic framework, these hybrid language forms could be
characterized and classified, through which comparison is possible with the standardized
form. In this context, Romanized Arabic is to be discussed. Romanized Arabic is a new form
that emerged in computer mediated communication and it is generally used in informal
contexts1. Even though the process of Romanization is rare in standard Arabic, it is still found
in some use cases of Modern Standard Arabic2.
Romanized form of Arabic is used for a number of different reasons and purposes,
such as, name and title transcription, cataloguing works in the Arabic language, language
education, and representation of the Arabic language in scientific journals used by Linguists1.
The language variety seen in these formal settings often use diacritics and non-standard Latin
characters. This contrasts with the informal settings of Romanized written communication
seen in Arabic chat alphabet, such Arabizi. There are multiple innate problems in rendering
the Arabic language in the Latin script. The process is not random and goes through the
linguistic processes of transliteration, transcription or a combination of both to varying
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
Introduction
Language hybridization is a phenomenon that is seen in multiple domains, especially
language. It can be defined as the as a process whereby separate processes which generate a
whole another entity which only shares certain features with its sources and is completely
compositional. Research says that multicultural Australian society operated with a specific
generated language form in certain linguistic environments. What is meant by this is that
English language scripts have the ability to merge with and embed into other native
languages to an extent of becoming a whole new variety. This process is called
Romanization. Within such a linguistic framework, these hybrid language forms could be
characterized and classified, through which comparison is possible with the standardized
form. In this context, Romanized Arabic is to be discussed. Romanized Arabic is a new form
that emerged in computer mediated communication and it is generally used in informal
contexts1. Even though the process of Romanization is rare in standard Arabic, it is still found
in some use cases of Modern Standard Arabic2.
Romanized form of Arabic is used for a number of different reasons and purposes,
such as, name and title transcription, cataloguing works in the Arabic language, language
education, and representation of the Arabic language in scientific journals used by Linguists1.
The language variety seen in these formal settings often use diacritics and non-standard Latin
characters. This contrasts with the informal settings of Romanized written communication
seen in Arabic chat alphabet, such Arabizi. There are multiple innate problems in rendering
the Arabic language in the Latin script. The process is not random and goes through the
linguistic processes of transliteration, transcription or a combination of both to varying
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
ARABIC PHONOLOGY2
degrees. This paper will discuss Romanized Arabic with respect to the characteristic features
which are exclusive to informal or spoken Arabic and formal or standard Arabic.
Even though the process of Romanization is important for the digitization of the
language, we cannot overrule the conception that the background of the language and the
phonological nuances are more or less concerned with the way it is structured across the
history of the language, its use by the natives, language contact and evolution. These are
factors that greatly determine how the phonology of a particular language, in this case Arabic
will turn out to be and how different it will be from the dialects and other non standard
varieties that are used in the neighbouring regions. The scope of this particular paper is
limited to the theoretical underpinnings of the Arabic Language Phonology and to hope that it
can venture into the technical arena of language digitization and romanisation would be
overshooting the ambitions3.
The purpose of this paper is to serve as a model of reference for understanding the
phonology of the Arabic language system and the differences it entails with its dialects. This
paper purposefully restricts the discussions to the phonological theories and reports about the
linguistic nuances in order to provide a head start to future discussions and thoughts on the
romanisation and digitization of the Arabic language, since the process entails much more
than just the phonology but also considers morphology and syntax.
Research objective
This paper intends to present a thorough in depth understanding of the Arabic
phonology and would conclude with whether or not there are nuances in the Arabic
phonology in terms of the Modern Standard Variety and the dialectal varieties. Through a
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
degrees. This paper will discuss Romanized Arabic with respect to the characteristic features
which are exclusive to informal or spoken Arabic and formal or standard Arabic.
Even though the process of Romanization is important for the digitization of the
language, we cannot overrule the conception that the background of the language and the
phonological nuances are more or less concerned with the way it is structured across the
history of the language, its use by the natives, language contact and evolution. These are
factors that greatly determine how the phonology of a particular language, in this case Arabic
will turn out to be and how different it will be from the dialects and other non standard
varieties that are used in the neighbouring regions. The scope of this particular paper is
limited to the theoretical underpinnings of the Arabic Language Phonology and to hope that it
can venture into the technical arena of language digitization and romanisation would be
overshooting the ambitions3.
The purpose of this paper is to serve as a model of reference for understanding the
phonology of the Arabic language system and the differences it entails with its dialects. This
paper purposefully restricts the discussions to the phonological theories and reports about the
linguistic nuances in order to provide a head start to future discussions and thoughts on the
romanisation and digitization of the Arabic language, since the process entails much more
than just the phonology but also considers morphology and syntax.
Research objective
This paper intends to present a thorough in depth understanding of the Arabic
phonology and would conclude with whether or not there are nuances in the Arabic
phonology in terms of the Modern Standard Variety and the dialectal varieties. Through a
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
ARABIC PHONOLOGY3
descriptive analysis of the phonological structures of the Modern Standard Arabic and a
contrast with some of its localized varieties, the paper would connect certain dots regarding
the miniscule differences in the language and the dialect.
Research rationale
The first motivation behind this research stems from the increasing number of internet
users in the Arabic spoken countries. The rate of growth is much higher than the average –
there are over seventy one million active social media users every day. The introduction of
internet in the Arabic-spoken regions has been the main cause behind this revolution,
affecting various aspects of the lives of the people living there, including language. Due to
the proliferating use of internet in the Arab world, the necessity for such research has
increased manifold in order to document the developments and changes which have occurred
in the past few years.
The second motivation behind this research is to provide a technical definition of
Romanized Arabic. From earlier research, it has been seen that modern standard Arabic or
MSA is not the preferred form when communicating over the internet. Instead, a variety
between English and colloquial or spoken Arabic is seen to have emerged. Other research has
seen that users of the internet conjure innovative processes in adapting the native spoken
forms of Arabic into the Latin script.
Research methodology
The paper takes into consideration multiple academic sources and personalized
interviews with native speakers as well Arabic Linguists in order to gain deep understanding
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
descriptive analysis of the phonological structures of the Modern Standard Arabic and a
contrast with some of its localized varieties, the paper would connect certain dots regarding
the miniscule differences in the language and the dialect.
Research rationale
The first motivation behind this research stems from the increasing number of internet
users in the Arabic spoken countries. The rate of growth is much higher than the average –
there are over seventy one million active social media users every day. The introduction of
internet in the Arabic-spoken regions has been the main cause behind this revolution,
affecting various aspects of the lives of the people living there, including language. Due to
the proliferating use of internet in the Arab world, the necessity for such research has
increased manifold in order to document the developments and changes which have occurred
in the past few years.
The second motivation behind this research is to provide a technical definition of
Romanized Arabic. From earlier research, it has been seen that modern standard Arabic or
MSA is not the preferred form when communicating over the internet. Instead, a variety
between English and colloquial or spoken Arabic is seen to have emerged. Other research has
seen that users of the internet conjure innovative processes in adapting the native spoken
forms of Arabic into the Latin script.
Research methodology
The paper takes into consideration multiple academic sources and personalized
interviews with native speakers as well Arabic Linguists in order to gain deep understanding
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
ARABIC PHONOLOGY4
into the linguistic structuring of the language. The research takes an exploratory paradigm to
gain knowledge and understanding about the subject matter in details.
The Arabic Language Phonology
Traditional Arabic is a primarily a VSO language, which is the third most common
word structure found in the world and has a relatively free word order5. The language is pro-
drop. The language is made up of non-concatenative morphemes, which means that unlike
English, one cannot join morphemes after the root one after the other in order to come up
with new words. This research however is focused primarily on Arabic phonology and
specifically on identifying the differences that lie between the Romanised Standard Arabic
and the Romanised Spoken Arabic. In order to proceed we would be required to dive deeper
into the findings regarding Arabic Phonology4.
This section is designed to provide us with a better insight into the phonology of the
Arabic language as identified in three different use cases of the Arabic Language- Traditional
Arabic, Egyptian Arabic and a non-standardised Jordanian Arabic spoken in the Irbid and
accompanying region.
Phonology of Arabic
Arabic is a Semitic language identified as belonging to the Afro - Asiatic language
family. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is best defined as a language with a ‘continuum of
varieties’, which incorporates around thirty different modern dialects of Arabic including the
standardized form5. MSA finds extensive use in writing, in media of print like magazines and
newspapers and even in news reading, speeches and various types of formal conversations.
MSA is characterized by the presence of twenty eight consonant phonemes and six vowels.
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
into the linguistic structuring of the language. The research takes an exploratory paradigm to
gain knowledge and understanding about the subject matter in details.
The Arabic Language Phonology
Traditional Arabic is a primarily a VSO language, which is the third most common
word structure found in the world and has a relatively free word order5. The language is pro-
drop. The language is made up of non-concatenative morphemes, which means that unlike
English, one cannot join morphemes after the root one after the other in order to come up
with new words. This research however is focused primarily on Arabic phonology and
specifically on identifying the differences that lie between the Romanised Standard Arabic
and the Romanised Spoken Arabic. In order to proceed we would be required to dive deeper
into the findings regarding Arabic Phonology4.
This section is designed to provide us with a better insight into the phonology of the
Arabic language as identified in three different use cases of the Arabic Language- Traditional
Arabic, Egyptian Arabic and a non-standardised Jordanian Arabic spoken in the Irbid and
accompanying region.
Phonology of Arabic
Arabic is a Semitic language identified as belonging to the Afro - Asiatic language
family. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is best defined as a language with a ‘continuum of
varieties’, which incorporates around thirty different modern dialects of Arabic including the
standardized form5. MSA finds extensive use in writing, in media of print like magazines and
newspapers and even in news reading, speeches and various types of formal conversations.
MSA is characterized by the presence of twenty eight consonant phonemes and six vowels.
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
ARABIC PHONOLOGY5
All the phonemes contrast between ‘emphatic’ (uvularised) and the ‘non – emphatic’
consonants. Through language contact and evolution, many of these phonemes have over
time have shifted into the dialects while new phonemes have found its way into the language
through borrowing.
Vowels
Vowels in MSA are characterized by the following features3:
There are six vowel phonemes in Modern Standard Arabic forming three distinct pairs
of short vowels and long vowels - /a, aː, i, iː, u, uː/ . Certain spoken dialects also
include / oː / and / eː / in their phonological setup.
There ae two diphthongs in Modern Standard Arabic, formed by combining short
/ a / with the semivowels / j / and / w /.
In general, / a / and / aː / are retracted to [ ɑ ] when the neighbouring phonemes are /r/,
/ q / or a uvularised consonant in the following manner: / sˤ /, / dˤ /, / tˤ /, / ðˤ /, / ɫ /. In
certain regional dialects, the pronunciation also takes the following shape:
/ x / and / ɣ /.
In parts of Iraq and parts of the Gulf of Persia, the phoneme [ ɐ ] prior to the word
boundary changes to [ æ ] when in the vicinity of most major consonants, like:
Labial Consonants - / m /, / b / and / f /
Most non emphatic consonants (Exceptions are - / r /, / θ /, / ð /, / n /, / t /, / d /, / s /, / z
/, /l/, / ʃ / and / d͡ʒ ~ ɡ ~ ʒ /)
Pharyngeal consonants - / ʕ / and / ħ /
Glottal Consonants - / ʔ / and / h /
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
All the phonemes contrast between ‘emphatic’ (uvularised) and the ‘non – emphatic’
consonants. Through language contact and evolution, many of these phonemes have over
time have shifted into the dialects while new phonemes have found its way into the language
through borrowing.
Vowels
Vowels in MSA are characterized by the following features3:
There are six vowel phonemes in Modern Standard Arabic forming three distinct pairs
of short vowels and long vowels - /a, aː, i, iː, u, uː/ . Certain spoken dialects also
include / oː / and / eː / in their phonological setup.
There ae two diphthongs in Modern Standard Arabic, formed by combining short
/ a / with the semivowels / j / and / w /.
In general, / a / and / aː / are retracted to [ ɑ ] when the neighbouring phonemes are /r/,
/ q / or a uvularised consonant in the following manner: / sˤ /, / dˤ /, / tˤ /, / ðˤ /, / ɫ /. In
certain regional dialects, the pronunciation also takes the following shape:
/ x / and / ɣ /.
In parts of Iraq and parts of the Gulf of Persia, the phoneme [ ɐ ] prior to the word
boundary changes to [ æ ] when in the vicinity of most major consonants, like:
Labial Consonants - / m /, / b / and / f /
Most non emphatic consonants (Exceptions are - / r /, / θ /, / ð /, / n /, / t /, / d /, / s /, / z
/, /l/, / ʃ / and / d͡ʒ ~ ɡ ~ ʒ /)
Pharyngeal consonants - / ʕ / and / ħ /
Glottal Consonants - / ʔ / and / h /
1. Shrivtiel, Shraybom (1998). The Question of Romanisation of the Script and The Emergence of Nationalism in the
Middle East. Mediterranean Language Review. pp. 179–196.
2. "Encyclopaedia of Islam Romanization vs ALA Romanization for Arabic". University of Washington Libraries.
3. Thelwall, Robin (1990), "Illustrations of the IPA: Arabic", Journal of the International Phonetic
Association, 20 (2): 37–41,
4. Holes, Clive (2004), Modern Arabic: Structures, Functions, and Varieties, Georgetown University Press
5. Davis, Stuart (1995), "Emphasis Spread in Arabic and Grounded Phonology", Linguistic Inquiry, The MIT
Press, 26 (3): 465–498
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