Information Structure in Spoken Arabic

This book presents a detailed exploration of spoken Arabic, focusing on how speakers’ intentions shape linguistic structures. Information Structure in Spoken Arabic is essential for linguists and students alike.

The book Information Structure in Spoken Arabic delves into the distinctions between spoken Arabic and its literary counterpart, focusing on the intentions of speakers and the structural and pragmatic strategies they utilize. Drawing on new empirical findings from various regions within the Arabic-speaking world, this work is designed to appeal to both students and researchers who are interested in the nuances of spoken language.

In Information Structure in Spoken Arabic, the authors provide a comprehensive analysis of how context and speaker intentions shape linguistic structures in everyday conversation. This pioneering work examines information structure based on authentic language use rather than prescriptive grammar, offering insights into how speakers encode, highlight, or obscure significant parts of their messages. The book addresses a wide array of topics, including word order variation, the role of intonation in information focus, and the interplay between native and second languages in codeswitching scenarios.

The studies presented in this book are grounded in a robust empirical framework while engaging with various theoretical perspectives such as pragmatic theory and (de-)grammaticalization. The introductory chapter connects the project to the rich tradition of Arabic grammar established by the eleventh-century grammarian Abdul Qahir al-Jurjani. Overall, Information Structure in Spoken Arabic serves as a vital resource for understanding an often-overlooked aspect of spoken Arabic, contributing to the broader field of Arabic linguistics.