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“NEGATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS IN NOMINAL SENTENCES IN CLASSICAL
ARABIC.”
KHALED ADEL ABDELHADY AHMED MOHAMED
Master’s researcher in the Department of Arabic Language and Literature
Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies
Scientific Supervisor
Dr. Hilola Yuldasheva
Associate Professor
Summary:
The nominal sentence in Classical Arabic is one of the fundamental pillars of Arabic
speech construction. It is defined as a sentence that begins with a noun or a pronoun and usually
consists of two main components: the subject (mubtada) and the predicate (khabar). For a deeper
understanding of this concept, let us explore the components of the nominal sentence in detail.
Keywords:
Grammar - Negation - Arabic language
Negation in Arabic: A Linguistic and Cultural Perspective
The Arabic language is one of the richest and most diverse languages in terms of its styles and
grammatical structure. Among the central linguistic phenomena in Arabic studies, negation
stands as a fundamental element that reflects the language’s ability to express a wide range of
meanings. Negation not only indicates the non-occurrence of an action but also extends to
convey social and cultural attitudes, highlighting the contrast between formal and colloquial
linguistic usage.
Negation is a linguistic process used to define the boundaries of meaning, serving as a
fundamental tool in constructing sentences that deny the existence of something or the
occurrence of a particular action. The tools of negation in Arabic vary and are used differently
depending on the context, allowing for multiple and complex interpretations.
Negation in Standard Arabic vs. Egyptian Dialect
Standard Arabic, as the formal and written form of the language, has specific negation tools used
in official and literary contexts. In contrast, colloquial dialects, such as Egyptian Arabic, exhibit
variations in methods and tools of negation, tending toward simplicity and clarity. This reflects
daily life and direct social interactions among speakers.
Negation in the Egyptian dialect is an expression of cultural and social identity, appearing in
everyday usage and various social contexts. Through this form of negation, one can understand
Egyptian society’s values, orientations, and its way of interacting with the world.
This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of negation in Standard Arabic and Egyptian dialect,
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focusing on their similarities and differences. The research will explore negation tools, their
usage contexts, and the influence of culture on negation, examining how it manifests in daily
communication.
Additionally, the study will investigate how negation contributes to meaning construction in both
contexts, and how its impact differs in interpersonal interactions. The research will include a
comparative analysis of grammatical and semantic negation patterns, demonstrating how these
patterns reflect different cultural contexts.
Psychological and Social Dimensions of Negation
In this context, the study will address the psychological and social dimensions of negation,
exploring how this phenomenon reflects human diversity in thought and expression. It will
examine how negation is used to express emotions, reservations, rejection, and other
psychological aspects that are embedded in language.
The Subject and Predicate: The Foundation of the Nominal Sentence
The Subject (Al-Mubtada’)
The subject is the nominative noun that appears at the beginning of a nominal sentence. It is the
primary element of the sentence about which something is stated.
Characteristics of the Subject:
•
It is always in the nominative case.
•
It is usually definite, but it can be indefinite in certain cases.
•
It can be an explicit noun, a pronoun, or an implied (verbal) noun.
Examples:
•
عٌفان مُلعلا(Knowledge is beneficial.) → “Knowledge” is the subject
•
عٌهتجم وه(He is diligent.) → “He” is the subject
•
لقعلل عٌيفم أرقت نأ(Reading is beneficial for the mind.) → “That you read” is an
implied subject
The Predicate (Al-Khabar)
The predicate completes the meaning of the subject and is also in the nominative case. It
provides information about the subject.
Characteristics of the Predicate:
•
It is originally nominative.
•
It agrees with the subject in number (singular, dual, plural) and gender (masculine,
feminine) in most cases.
•
It can precede the subject in certain situations.
Examples:
•
عٌفان مُلعلا(Knowledge is beneficial.) → “Beneficial” is the predicate
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•
ناٌهتجم نابلاطلا(The two students are diligent.) → “Diligent” is the predicate
•
عٌارضاح مٌاملعملا(The female teachers are present.) → “Present” is the predicate
Types of Predicate: Variations in Form and Function
The predicate in a nominal sentence comes in various forms, each with unique features and usage
contexts. Understanding these types is essential to grasp how negation structures nominal
sentences.
1. The Simple Predicate (Al-Khabar Al-Mufrad)
This is a single word that is neither a full sentence nor a prepositional phrase. It can be a derived
or non-derived noun.
Examples:
•
عٌيفاص مُامسلا(The sky is clear.) → “Clear” is a derived adjective predicate
•
عٌرو مُاتكلا(The book is paper.) → “Paper” is a non-derived noun predicate
•
نوقوفتم مُاملعلا(The scholars are outstanding.) → “Outstanding” is a derived
adjective predicate
2. The Sentence Predicate (Al-Khabar Al-Jumlah)
The predicate can be a full sentence, which may be either a nominal or a verbal sentence.
A. Nominal Sentence as Predicate:
•
عٌٌيمح همقلاأ مُلاطلا(The student’s morals are good.) → “His morals are good” is a
nominal sentence predicate
•
عٌيٌج اهانبم مٌسرٌملا(The school’s building is new.) → “Its building is new” is a
nominal sentence predicate
B. Verbal Sentence as Predicate:
•
درغي مروفصعلا(The bird sings.) → “Sings” is a verbal sentence predicate
•
ٌرشلا نم مٌرشت مُمشلا(The sun rises from the east.) → “Rises from the east” is a
verbal sentence predicate
3. The Prepositional Phrase Predicate (Shibh Jumlah Khabar)
The predicate can also take the form of a prepositional phrase or an adverbial phrase.
A. Adverbial Phrase as Predicate:
•
ٌلواطلا ٌوف مُاتكلا(The book is on the table.)
•
ادٌغ مُامتجلا(The meeting is tomorrow.)
B. Prepositional Phrase as Predicate:
•
ربصلا يف مُاجنلا(Success is in patience.)
•
روٌصلا يف مُلعلا(Knowledge is in the hearts.)
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Special Cases in Nominal Sentences
There are some special cases in nominal sentence structure, particularly relevant when
constructing negative statements.
1. Multiple Predicates:
A subject can have more than one predicate.
Example:
•
عريٌق عُيكح عُيلع مل(God is All-Knowing, Wise, and Omnipotent.)
2. Omission of Subject or Predicate:
In some contexts, the subject or predicate may be omitted if the meaning is clear.
Examples:
•
عٌيج ؟كلاح فيك(How are you? Good.) → The subject “my condition” is omitted.
•
عٌمحم(Who won? Muhammad.) → The predicate “is the winner” is omitted.
3. Reordering the Predicate and Subject:
The predicate may precede the subject either optionally or necessarily.
Examples:
•
علجر تِيبلا يف(There is a man in the house.) → Prepositional phrase predicate before
an indefinite subject
•
عٌيز عُيرك(Zaid is generous.) → Reordering for emphasis
Conclusion
Egyptian Arabic is an integral part of Egypt’s cultural identity, reflecting a long history of
linguistic and cultural influences. Despite challenges, it remains a cherished linguistic form
among Egyptians and Arabs alike.
References & Sources
1.
Specialized books on Arabic dialects and Egyptian Arabic
2.
Arabic Dialects: Their Origins and Development – Dr. Ramzi Baalbaki
3.
The Philosophy of Language and the Secret of Arabic – Abu Mansur Al-Thaalibi
4.
Egyptian Language: Features and Dialects – Dr. Ahmed Abdullah
5.
Colloquial and Standard Arabic in Egypt – Dr. Anwar Al-Jundi
