Abstract

    Ennassiri’s paper discusses the derivation of VSO and SVO structures in Arabic. The discussion is couched within the Minimalist Programme as outlined in Chomsky (1993), (1994), (1995) and references cited therein. The working hypothesis here is that the N-features of T are weak in Arabic and so do not attract the subject DP to [Spec, TP] for checking purposes. Rather, the DP sitting in [Spec, TP] is merged therein by virtue of the fact that it carries a discourse-related feature called [Top]. The proposed analysis is argued to carry over to Moroccan Arabic and, perhaps, to other VSO languages that allow the SVO order. 

    Taoufik El Ayachi’s article analyses accusative and dative clitics in Moroccan Arabic (MA) and the Tamazight variety of Berber (TB). The article’s aim is to analyses the nature, distribution and function of these bound elements as well as the nature and the function of the prepositions that support dative clitics in both languages. The last section considers the derivational similarities and the differences between MA and TB in structures involving functional categories such as Neg and WH.

Abstract

    Zeddari’s article compares the dative alternation in English and Moroccan Arabic within Pinker’s (1989) framework. It is argued that while the alternation is driven in both languages by the manner in which dative verbs are represented at the semantic level, the two languages differ with regard to how they delineate dative verbs in a language-particular manner. Apart from the universal Broad Range Rule operative in both languages, Moroccan Arabic turns out to be insensitive to the Narrow Range Rules that constrain the English alternating / non-alternating distinction. This explains the restrictions imposed on double object constructions in Moroccan Arabic

    Drawing upon Cummins’ (1981, 2005) interdependence hypothesis, EL Euch’s paper addresses two questions, namely whether the proposed interdependence hypothesis holds true with decontextualized definitional skills (DS) and whether this interdependence is more important between closely related languages than between languages that are typologically different. The data were analyzed using ANOVA procedures and Pearson correlations.

    Al-Hamly and Farghal’s paper deals with collocations and colligations as concomitant features of foreign language writing. More specifically, it examines such combinations in Kuwait University EFL learners’ essays. The results show the learners’ inappropriate use of collocations and colligations in English, which fact impacts on their writing skill.

Abstract

    According to Dick (1997) a coherent discourse is one where its constituent parts follow one another in a natural fashion which lends itself to interpretation. Dick (op. cit) mentions a number of elements that bring about this coherence, chief of which are temporal succession, topic succession, focus and coordinating conjunctions. From this perspective, Jadir’s article looks at discourse coherence in Arabic from the point of view of Functional Grammar. More specifically, it looks at what it takes to realize the notions of cohesion and coherence in Arabic texts. However, the article argues that there are some texts whose coherence seems to depend primarily on the notions of inference and relevance.