Arabic: An Essential Grammar

6.3

Alif maqs

̇

u ̄rah

The long vowel /a ̄/ at the end of a word can be written with

alif ـ َا... or,

in some words, with ya ̄

, but without dots َـى ... That ya ̄

is then called

َأِل ٌف َم ْق ُصو َر ٌة^

alif maqs

̇

u ̄rah, e.g.

Note: Certain rules explained in later chapters govern which one of the two




alifs is to be used in a word.

6.4 Dagger or miniature

alif

In some common words the long vowel /a ̄/ is written with a miniature




alif, also called dagger

alif. As the name suggests, this is a small vertical

stroke ــ

ا

ــ placed above the consonant, replacing the ordinary full

alif

(ا), e.g.

6.5 Word stress and syllable structure

Surprisingly enough, the Arabic grammarians did not deal with the

position of stress (dynamic accent) in Arabic words. Nevertheless

almost all Arabic words must be stressed on one of their syllables, which

may be short or long. The stress appears as an increase in vocal intensity

as well as a raising of the pitch of voice.

The following general rules are mainly based on the methods of pro-

nunciation employed by the reciters of the Quran. In some cases there

are variations between different traditions, and the native dialect of the

speaker may also influence the pronunciation.

Syllables are divided into short and long. A short syllable consists of a

consonant plus a short vowel (CV), whereas a long syllable consists of:

(1) a consonant plus a long vowel (CV ̄), (2) a consonant plus a short

vowel plus a consonant (CVC), or (3) a consonant plus a long vowel

َعَلى^



ala ̄, o n َر َوى rawa ̄, to tell َر َمى rama ̄, to throw

ه َذا

ا

(not: َها َذا ) نَّ ا ِك

ا

(not: نَّ َلا ِك ) ذِل َك

ا

(not: َذاِل َك)

ha ̄d

̄

a ̄, this la ̄kinna, but d

̄

a ̄lika, that

22

Long

vowels,

alif

maqs

̇

u ̄rah,

dagger

alif,

word stress