The Semantic Scope of Attributive Noun Phrase Modification in Arabic

Abstract

Starting with the discussion of existing semantic descriptions of various forms of Arabic attributive modifiers, the study, due to absence of a systematic model for linguistic description of attributive modifier semantics, reaches out to cognitive psychology and relation-based approach to understanding of modifier-noun combinations. The application of relation-based approach both helps find new and so far not described meanings of Arabic possessive genitives and attributive modifiers in general, like source and instrument, and allows for the introduction of a systematic and simple model for description of other meanings of possessive genitive through the use of symmetrical pairs of relations within its possessive, material, quality, location, duration, causative and instrument meaning. Based on comparison with the meanings of possessive genitives, the study offers a description of other forms of Arabic attributive modifiers that is wider and more inclusive than those found in literature. Finally, by means of accepting of existence of a number of thematic relations encoded in the form of possessive genitive in Arabic status constructus, the study explains both the semantic abundance of Arabic possessive genitive, and its elliptic character and higher stylistic potential as compared to other attributive modifiers in Arabic.