An Optimality-theoretic Approach to Weight of Superheavy Syllables in Qassimi Arabic

Abstract

The ultimate purpose of this paper is to investigate the distribution of superheavy syllables (i.e. CVVC and CVCC) in Qassimi Arabic (QA), a sub-dialect of Najdi Arabic, which is mainly spoken in central Saudi Arabia, particularly, in the cities of Qassim Region. In order to do this, an Optimality-theoretic account is used to account for the moraic structures of these superheavy syllables. In general, the study finds out that CVVC and CVCC are both allowed to surface in Qassimi Arabic in final and non-final positions. Furthermore, using mora-sharing analysis (Broselow 1992; Broselow et al. 1995 and 1997; Watson 2007), the study observes the occurrence of CVVC and CVCC both in word-finally and word-internally. In particular, the study maintains that by proposing the dominant of (MORAICCODA) constraint over (FINAL-C-μ) constraint, the analysis of mora-sharing is superior to that of extrametricality. Thus, the paper suggests that the notion that all coda consonants in Arabic are moraic, including the last consonants of final-CVC syllables (Broselow et al. 1997).