The Acquisition of Egyptian Arabic as a Native Language

229 Pages·1973·15.134 MB·

by  Margaret K. Omar

JANUA LINGUARUM
STUDIA MEMORIAE
NICOLAI VAN WIJK DEDICATA
edenda curai
C. H. VAN SCHOONEVELD
Indiana University
Series Practica, 160

THE ACQUISITION OF
EGYPTIAN ARABIC
AS A NATIVE LANGUAGE
by
MARGARET K. OMAR
1973
MOUTON
THE HAGUE • PARIS
Copyright 1973 in The Netherlands
Mouton & Co. N.V., Publishers, The Hague
No part of this book may be translated or reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint,
microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publishers
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER:
Printed in Hungary
To the memory of
Abdel-Hakim Omar
1898-1968

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I owe thanks to many persons for their advice and assistance to me while I was
carrying out research for this project.
I am especially grateful to Professors Daniel P. Dato and Wallace M. Erwin
of Georgetown University for their guidance, and to Mr. and Mrs. Mohamed Ali
Yousef of Sheikh Mubarak village, U.A.R., for their hospitality and help during
the research period. Assistance received from Miss Fatma Omar and the late
Omar H. Omar in the preparation of the research design is also much appre-
ciated. And finally, I thank my husband, Hanai, for his patience and encourage-
ment during the entire time the project was being completed and written up.
Margaret K. Omar
April, 1970

CONTENTS
Acknowledgements VII
List of Figures and Tables XV
List of Symbols XVII
1. Introduction 1
1.1. Scope of the Study 1
1.1.1. Goals of the Study 1
1.1.2. Need for the Study 2
1.2. Duration and Location of the Study 2
1.2.1. Duration 2
1.2.2. Location 2
1.3. Methodology Followed 4
1.3.1. Recordings and Transcriptions 4
1.3.2. Types of Speech Observed 4
1.3.3. Children in the Study 4
1.3.4. Families in the Village and in the Study 4
1.3.5. Approach Used with Village Residents 4
1.3.6. Assistance Received in Conducting the Study 9
1.4. Structural Sketch of the Language 9
1.4.1. The Root and Pattern System 9
1.4.2. Phonology 10
1.4.3. Morphology 10
1.4.4. Syntax 11
2. Basic Characteristics of the Physical and Family Environment . .. 13
2.1. The Physical Environment 13
2.1.1. The Village Surroundings 13
2.1.2. Family Homes 13
2.1.3. The Government Cooperative Unit 14
2.1.4. Physical Characteritics of the Children in the Study . . 14