EXPRESSIVITY AS THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE OF AN
ASPECTUAL VERB SYSTEM: THE CASE OF ARABIC
DIALECTS
L’EXPRESSIVITE COMME MOTEUR D’EVOLUTION D’UN
SYSTEME VERBAL ASPECTUEL : LE CAS DE DIALECTES
ARABES
EXPRESIVITATEA CA MOTOR AL EVOLUȚIEI UNUI SISTEM
VERBAL ASPECTUAL : CAZUL DIALECTELOR ARABE
Abstract
This article shows that the evolution of a fundamentally aspectual verbal system, as it is the case for Arabic, results from needs of the speaker to clarify a notion, concomitance, which was not taken into account by this system as such. In the first part, we summarize the principles on which the verbal system of “literary” Arabic is based because it is from this state of the language that it is possible to understand the phenomena which led to the states of the various varieties of spoken Arabic which we know today. The second part is devoted to the presentation of the process according to which the evolution occurs as well as to the presentation of its dynamics. In the third part we supply the data coming in support of this presentation. Lastly, we shall reveal, that, starting from a common system and a common need of clarification, the various Arabic dialects spoken currently have introduced new oppositions within their verbal system while subordinating them to the aspectual opposition which continues to govern their verbal system.
Résumé
Cet article montre que l’évolution d’un système verbal fondamentalement aspectuel, comme celui de l’arabe, résulte des besoins du locuteur d’expliciter une notion, la concomitance, qui n’était pas prise en charge en tant que telle par ce système. Dans la première partie, nous résumons les principes sur lesquels le système verbal de l’arabe « littéraire » est basé car c’est à partir de cet état de langue qu’on peut comprendre les phénomènes qui ont conduit aux états des différentes variétés de l’arabe parlé aujourd’hui. La deuxième partie est consacrée à l’exposé du processus selon lequel l’évolution se produit ainsi qu’à la présentation de sa dynamique. Dans la troisième partie nous fournissons des données venant à l’appui de cet exposé. Pour finir, nous faisons apparaître que, partant d’un système commun et d’un besoin d’explicitation commun, les différents dialectes arabes parlés actuellement ont introduit de nouvelles oppositions au sein de leur système verbal tout en les subordonnant à l’opposition aspectuelle qui continue de le gouverner.
Rezumat
Acest articol arată evoluția sistemului verbal fundamental aspectual al limbii arabe. In prima parte se rezumă principiile pe care se bazează sistemul verbal al limbii arabe “literare”, fiindcă pe baza acestei stări a limbii se pot înțelege fenomenele care au condus la stările diferitor varietăți ale limbii arabe vorbite astăzi. Cea de a doua parte este consacrată expunerii procesului evoluției care se produce, ca și prezentare a dinamicii sale. In partea a treia se prezintă date în sprijinul acestei expuneri. In concluzie se arată că, pornind de la un sistem și de la nevoia de a explica în mod comun diferite dialecte din araba vorbită acum, putem semnala noi opoziții in sistemul verbal, subordonându-le opoziției aspectuale, care continuă să-l guverneze.
Keywords: Aspect, concomitance, expressivity, evolution, verbal system, Arabic
Mots-clés: Aspect, concomitance, expressivité, évolution, système verbal, arabe
Cuvinte cheie: Aspect, concomitență, expresivitate, evoluție, sistem verbal, arabă