Linguistic and Cultural Studies in Aramaic and Arabic

By Edward Y. Odisho

The book affords solutions to some significant phonetics and phonology in Aramaic and Arabic. In the area of human language maintenance and erosion, the dynamics and timelines of such language phenomena are highlighted with relevance to Mesopotamia. Additionally, the book poses some innovative views pertinent to the progress of civilization from concreteness to abstraction with particular emphasis on writing systems

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Publisher: Gorgias Press LLC

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SKU (ISBN): 978-1-60724-586-5

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- Hardback (In Print) ISBN 978-1-60724-586-5
- eBook PDF (In Print) 978-1-4632-1819-5 on Gorgias Mobile App (Glassboxx)

Publication Status: In Print

Series: Gorgias Précis Portfolios5

Publication Date: Oct 2,2009

Interior Color: Black

Trim Size: 8.25 x 10.75

Page Count: 330

Languages: English

ISBN: 978-1-60724-586-5

Price: $165.00

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The book poses some unique perspectives pertinent to the dynamics and timelines of the maintenance and erosion of human languages and cultures when confronting each other and resulting in long periods of bilingualism, the latter being a salient feature of human civilization. It also captures the common denominator underlying the evolution of writing systems, materials and tools in the form of a progression from concreteness to abstraction. In linguistics, the book affords solutions to some significant phonetics and phonology in Aramaic and Arabic based on logical and experimental evidence.

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	Contributor	Biography
	EdwardOdisho	Edward Y. Odisho was born in Kirkuk/Iraq in 1938. He received his B.A. Honors in English language in 1960. Taught English for eleven years in Iraq after which he went to England to further his education in Phonetic Sciences at Leeds University. He received his M. Phil. in 1973 and Ph.D. in 1975. Under pressure from Saddam Hussein’s regime, he escaped Iraq in 1980 and settled in U.S.A. In U.S. he taught at Loyola University Chicago for 20 years. He concurrently taught at Northeastern Illinois University between 1990 and 2008 where he retired as Professor Emeritus . Has published scores of research papers and articles in various international journals. Has also published 9 books 7 of which are within the acquisitions of the Library of Congress.

Dedication Page (page 7)
Table of Contents (page 9)
List of Symbols (page 15)
Foreword (page 21)
Acknowledgements (page 27)
Chapter 1 The Ethnic, Linguistic and Cultural Identity of Modern Assyrians (page 29)

1.1 Introductory Remarks (page 29)
1.2 A Spectrum of Views Relevant to the Connection (page 30)

1.2.1 Political View (page 30)
1.2.2 Nationalistic View (page 31)
1.2.3 Academic View (page 31)

1.3 The Assumptions (page 32)

1.3.1 Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Conversions (page 32)
1.3.2 Political System Collapse!!! (page 32)
1.3.3 Proof Always Needed for a Judgement (page 33)

1.4 The Approach to the Solution (page 33)

1.4.1 The Political Reshuffle. (page 33)
1.4.2 The Linguistic Shift. (page 34)
1.4.2.1 Overlapping Geographic Borders (page 34)
1.4.2.2 Aramaic as a Lingua Franca (page 34)
1.4.2.3 Dominance of Aramaic Alphabet (page 35)
1.4.2.4 Linguistic Similarity across Semitic Languages (page 35)
1.4.2.5 Common Etymology (page 35)
1.4.3 The Religious and Cultural Conversions. (page 35)

1.5 Present Status of the Assyrians (page 37)

1.5.1 Ethnic Status (page 37)
1.5.2 Linguistic Status (page 38)
1.5.3 Cultural Status (page 39)

1.6 Conclusions (page 39)
1.7 Bibliography (page 40)

Chapter 2 Bilingualism: A Salient and Dynamic Feature of Ancient Civilizations (page 43)

2.1 Introductory Remarks (page 43)
2.2 Political, Physical and Cultural Constituents of an Entity (page 44)

2.2.1 Political (page 44)
2.2.2 Physical (page 44)
2.2.3 Cultural (page 45)

2.3 Panorama of Shift and Survival of Languages in Mesopotamia (page 46)

2.3.1 Succession of Languages (page 46)
2.3.2 Duration of Language Shift Cycle (page 48)
2.3.3 Periods of Bilingualism (page 49)
2.3.4 Periods of Biliteracy (page 50)

2.4 Discussion (page 51)

2.4.1 Highlights of Discussion (page 51)
2.4.1.1. Pivotal Aspect of Discussion (page 52)
2.4.1.2 Most Pivotal Aspect of Discussion (page 53)
2.4.2 Contribution of Bilingualism to Understanding of Human Civilization (page 55)
2.4.2.1 Evidence on Dynamic Nature of Human Civilizational Interaction (page 55)
2.4.2.2 Aid in Deciphering Ancient Languages (page 55)
2.4.2.3 Evidence on Dynamic Nature of Human Languages as Live Entities (page 56)
2.4.2.4 A Constant Component of Civilization (page 57)
2.4.2.5 A Significant Tool of Identity Building and Changing (page 57)

2.5 Conclusions (page 60)
2.6 Bibliography (page 62)

Chapter 3 Bi- and Multi- Situations in Writing Systems, Writing Mediums and Writing Implements (page 65)

3.1 Introductory Remarks (page 65)
3.2 Needed Terminology (page 66)
3.3 Historical Sketch of Bi/Multilingualism and Bi/Multiliteracy (page 67)
3.4 Scope of Writing Mediums and Underlying Causes of Change (page 69)

3.4.1 Volume and Size of Writing (page 69)
3.4.2 Texture and Surface of Mediums (page 69)

3.5 Economics of Writing (page 70)
3.6 Preservability of Written Texts (page 70)
3.7 Salient Features of Bimedium and Multimedium Periods (page 71)
3.8 Bi-implement and Multi-implement (page 73)
3.9 Interaction between Writing Medium and Writing Implement (page 73)
3.10 Conclusions (page 74)

3.10.1 Concreteness to Abstraction (page 75)
3.10.2 Less Economic to More Economic (page 75)
3.10.3 Non-Generative to Generative (page 76)

3.11 Bibliography (page 77)

Chapter 4 Arab/Muslim Scientific Heritage: A Mono or Multi-Ethnic/Religious Enterprise? (page 79)

4.1 Introductory Remarks (page 79)
4.2 Discussion (page 80)

4.2.1 The Beginning of Greek Heritage Translation (page 80)
4.2.2 Performers or Sponsors? (page 81)
4.2.3 Adeptness in Foreign Languages (page 82)
4.2.4 How was the National/Ethnic Identity of Translator/Scholars Determined? (page 86)
4.2.4.1 Arabization through Linguistic Conversion (page 87)
4.2.4.2 Disregard to Basic Parameters of National/Ethnic Identity (page 88)
4.2.4.3. Involuntary Assignment of National/Ethnic Identity (page 89)

4.3 Conclusions (page 90)
4.4 Bibliography (page 92)

Chapter 5 A Comparative Study of Petnames in English and Assyrian (page 95)

5.1 Introductory Remarks (page 95)
5.2 Results (page 102)
5.3 Discussion (page 104)
5.4 Conclusions and Implications for Future Research (page 105)
5.5 Bibliography (page 106)

Chapter 6 The Role of Aspiration in the Transliteration of Loanwords in Aramaic and Arabic (page 107)

6.1 Introductory Remarks (page 107)
6.2 Historical Background (page 107)
6.3 Salient Sound Differences between Greek and Aramaic/Arabic (page 108)
6.4 Aspiration/Non-Aspiration in Greek, Aramaic and Arabic (page 109)
6.5 Orthographic Evidence (page 111)
6.6. Discussion (page 113)
6.7 Conclusions (page 115)
6.8 Bibliography (page 117)

Chapter 7 Recent Demographic Changes in Aramaic-Speaking Population of Iraq: Return of some Phonological Features of Classical Aramaic (page 121)

7.1 Introductory Remarks (page 121)
7.2 Historical Background of Events (page 121)
7.3 Demographic Reshuffling of Aramaic-Speaking Population (page 122)

7.3.1 Koiné #1 (page 124)
7.3.2 Ashiret (page 125)
7.3.3 Plain (page 126)
7.3.4 Koiné #2 (page 126)

7.4 Linguistic Implications of the Demographic Changes (page 126)

7.4.1 Linguistic Make-up of 1961-1991 Aramaic-speaking Migrants (page 127)
7.4.2 Dominance of Ashiret and Plain Population in Kurdish Area (page 127)
7.4.3 Founding of Syriac-based Educational System (page 127)

7.5 Conclusions (page 129)
7.6 Bibliography (page 129)

Chapter 8 Aspiration, Spirantization and Approximation in Neo-Aramaic: a more Refined Identification (page 131)

8.1 Introductory Remarks (page 131)
8.2 Aspiration (page 133)
8.3 Spirantization and Approximation (page 136)
8.4 Linguistic and Instructional Conclusions (page 138)
8.5 Bibliography (page 139)

Chapter 9 The Destiny of Modern Syriac (page 141)

9.1 Introductory Remarks (page 141)
9.2 Historical Background: Syriac the Descendant of Aramaic (page 141)
9.3 Causes of Deterioration of Syriac (page 143)

9.3.1 Absence of a Political Entity (page 143)
9.3.2 Gradual Erosion and Shift in Ethnic and National Identity (page 143)
9.3.3 Loss of Population (page 144)
9.3.4 Domination of Arabic Language and Islamic Rule (page 145)
9.3.5 Schisms within Christianity (page 147)

9.4 Patterns of Deterioration (page 147)

9.4.1 Loss of Literacy Skills among Populace Prior to Oracy Skills (page 148)
9.4.2 Faster Loss of Syriac in Urban vs. Rural Areas (page 149)
9.4.3 Faster Loss of Syriac in Direct Contact with other Languages (page 149)

9.5 Outcomes of Deterioration (page 149)
9.6 Endangered Status of Syriac (page 150)

9.6.1 The Shrinking Domain of Syriac Circulation (page 151)
9.6.2 Mass Immigration of Syriac Speakers (page 151)
9.6.3 Accelerated Syriac Language Loss in Countries of Diaspora (page 152)
9.6.4 Absence of Guarantees for Human Rights of Ethnic Minorities (page 153)

9.7 What to Do? (page 154)
9.8 A Model Project for Syriac Language Maintenance (page 155)

9.8.1 Structural Nature of the Project and its Scale (page 155)
9.8.2 Effectiveness of the Project for Language Revitalization (page 157)
9.8.3 Future Prospects of Project for Language Revitalization (page 159)

9.9 Conclusions (page 159)
9.10 Bibliography (page 161)

Chapter 10 Arabic and Spanish: Linguistic and Cultural Interactions (page 165)

10.1. Introductory Remarks (page 165)
10.2. Arabic and Spanish Contact (page 165)
10.3. Why was the Article Borrowed? (page 168)

10.3.1. Size of al-Prefixed Loanwords in Arabic (page 169)
10.3.2. Qamari-Initiated Loanwords (page 171)
10.3.3. Shamsi-Initiated Loanwords (page 172)

10.4. What Justified the Borrowing?! (page 172)
10.5 From Arabic to Spanish to English (page 177)
10.6 Conclusions (page 178)
10.7 Bibliography (page 178)
Chapter 11 Empowering Arabic Orthography for better Transliteration of Foreign Languages (page 181)

11.1 Introductory Remarks (page 181)
11.2 Comprehensive Look at English-Arabic Transliteration (page 182)
11.3 Some Aspects of Inconsistency (page 183)
11.4 Some Aspects of Incompatibility (page 184)
11.5 Basic Matching and Mismatching between English and Arabic (page 184)

11.5.1 Consonant Matching (page 185)
11.5.2 Vowel Matching (page 185)

11.6. Familiarity with Rules and Dynamics of Pronunciation (page 187)
11.7 Enhancing Consistency and Compatibility of Transliteration (page 187)
11.8 Practical Implications of SAO and AAO (page 189)
11.9 Conclusions (page 191)
11.10 Bibliography (page 192)

Chapter 12 Word Inflation vs. Word Deflation: A Major Source of Mispronunciation among Arab Learners of English (page 195)

12.1 Introductory Remarks (page 195)
12.2 Focus of this Study (page 196)
12.3 English and Arabic Vowel Systems (page 196)

12.3.1 English Vowel System (page 197)
12.3.2 Arabic Vowel System (page 197)

12.4 How Native Arab Learners of English Create Word Inflation (page 198)

12.4.1 Driving Forces behind Word Deflation in English (page 198)
12.4.2 Driving Forces behind Word Inflation in Arabic (page 199)
12.4.2.1 The Arabic Vowel System (page 200)
12.4.2.2 Stress Assignment Rules in Arabic (page 200)
12.4.2.3 Nature of Arabic Orthography (page 201)

12.5 Better Transliteration for better Pronunciation (page 203)
12.6 Conclusions (page 206)
12.7 Bibliography (page 207)

Chapter 13 Formation of Sound Plurals and Duals in Arabic: A Phonetic/Phonological Approach (page 209)

13.1 Introductory Remarks (page 209)
13.2 Discussion (page 211)
13.3 Theoretical and Pedagogical Conclusions and Implications (page 219)
13.4 Bibliography (page 220)

Chapter 14 An Aerodynamic, Proprioceptive and Perceptual Interpretation of S??bawayhi’s Misplacement of /??/ and /??/ withMajh??ra Consonants (page 223)

14.1 Introduction Remarks (page 223)
14.2 What is Aspiration? (page 225)
14.3 Why the Terms ‘Majh??ra’ and ‘Mahm??sa’? (page 229)
14.4 Conclusions (page 231)
14.5 Bibliography (page 232)

Chapter 15 The Sun or Moon Status of Arabic : A Descriptive Perspective (page 235)

15.1 Introductory Remarks (page 235)
15.2 Corpus and Testing (page 236)
15.3 Results (page 236)
15.4 Discussion (page 237)
15.5 Conclusions (page 240)
15.6 Bibliography (page 244)

Chapter 16 Arabic /q ??/: A Voiceless Unaspirated Uvular Plosive (page 245)

16.1 Introductory Remarks (page 245)
16.2 Discussion (page 245)
16.3 Conclusions (page 247)
16.4 Bibliography (page 248)

Appendix (page 249)

Chapter 1: Aramaic Version (page 249)
Chapter 2: Aramaic Version (page 267)
Chapter 14: Arabic Version (page 303)
Chapter 15: Arabic Version (page 311)
Chapter 16: Arabic Version (page 319)

Glossary (page 323)
Index (page 331)

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Linguistic and Cultural Studies in Aramaic and Arabic