ARA205 — Morphology of Verbs: Lecture Note

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la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Course code: ARA 205 Course title: Morphology of Verbs Course credit load: 2 Units Series 1: Foundations of Arabic Morphology Part 1: Definition and Scope of Morphology • Sub-Part 1.1: Meaning of Morphology in Arabic • Sub-Part 1.2: Importance of Morphology in Verbal Analysis • Sub-Part 1.3: Relationship between Morphology and Grammar Part 2: Historical and Linguistic Background • Sub-Part 2.1: Origins of Morphological Study in Arabic • Sub-Part 2.2: Contributions of Classical Scholars • Sub-Part 2.3: Modern Relevance of Morphology Part 3: Core Concepts in Arabic Morphology • Sub-Part 3.1: Morphological Units and Scales • Sub-Part 3.2: Basic Terminology in Morphology • Sub-Part 3.3: Application to Verbal Structures Part 4: Role of Morphology in Arabic Language Learning • Sub-Part 4.1: Morphology as a Tool for Word Formation • Sub-Part 4.2: Morphology in Understanding Derivation • Sub-Part 4.3: Morphology in Practical Language Use

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Introduction Language is not only a means of communication, it is also a system built upon rules and structures that give words their form and meaning. In Arabic, these rules are deeply rooted in morphology, the study of word formation and structure. For learners of Arabic, understanding morphology is essential because it provides the foundation for analysing verbs, recognising patterns, and appreciating how words are derived and connected. This Series will therefore set the stage for your journey into Arabic verbal morphology by introducing you to its basic concepts and relevance. The aim of this Series is to familiarise you with the fundamental principles of Arabic morphology, to explain its scope and background, and to equip you with the essential concepts that will support your study of verbs throughout the course. We shall commence this Series by defining morphology and examining its scope within the Arabic language. Next, we will explore the historical and linguistic background that shaped the study of morphology, including contributions from classical scholars. Following that, we will move on to core concepts such as morphological units, scales, and terminology, showing how they apply to verbal structures. Finally, we will wrap up by considering the role of morphology in Arabic language learning, highlighting its importance in word formation, derivation, and practical usage. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the meaning and scope of morphology in the Arabic language, • SLO 1.2 explain the importance of morphology in verbal analysis and its relationship with grammar, • SLO 1.3 describe the historical development of morphological study in Arabic and identify contributions of classical scholars, • SLO 1.4 analyse the relevance of morphology in modern Arabic linguistic studies, • SLO 1.5 identify and explain key morphological units and scales used in Arabic,

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS • SLO 1.6 apply basic morphological terminology to the analysis of Arabic verbal structures, and • SLO 1.7 evaluate the role of morphology in Arabic language learning, particularly in word formation, derivation, and practical usage. 1.1 Definition And Scope Of Morphology 1.1.1 Meaning of morphology in Arabic Morphology is the branch of linguistics that studies the internal structure of words and how they are formed. In Arabic, morphology is known as فرصلا (al-ṣarf), which refers to the science of analysing the forms of words, especially verbs, and understanding how they change to convey different meanings. For example, the root بتك (kataba, “to write”) can generate multiple forms such as بتاك (kātib, “writer”), بوتكم (maktūb, “written”), and باتك (kitāb, “book”). Fill in the blank: Morphology in Arabic is called ________, and it focuses on analysing the forms of words. Figure 1.1 Root and derived forms of بتك.

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.1.2 Importance of morphology in verbal analysis Morphology is crucial in Arabic because verbs are central to sentence construction. By studying morphology, learners can identify how verbs change according to tense, voice, and mood. For instance, the verb بتك (kataba) in the past tense changes to بتكي (yaktubu) in the present tense, and to بتكا (uktub) in the imperative form. These changes are governed by morphological rules that learners must master to analyse Arabic texts accurately. Fill in the blank: The verb بتك changes to ________ in the present tense and ________ in the imperative form. Plate 1.1 Verb forms of بتك in different tenses. 1.1.3 Relationship between morphology and grammar Grammar in Arabic, known as وحنلا (al-naḥw), deals with how words function in sentences, while morphology focuses on how words are formed. The two are closely related: morphology provides the building blocks, and grammar arranges them into meaningful structures. For instance, morphology explains how the word بلاط (ṭālib, “student”) is derived, while grammar explains how it functions as the subject in a sentence such as بلاطلا ءاج (jāʾa al-ṭālib, “the student came”).

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Fill in the blank: Grammar in Arabic is called _______ _, and it explains how words function in sentences. Aspect Morphology ( فرصلا) Grammar (وحنلا) Definition Study of word forms and patterns. Study of sentence structure and syntax. Focus How words are built: roots, patterns, conjugations. How words function in sentences: case endings, roles, agreement. Example Verb pattern: َبَتَك → ُبُتْكَي → ْبُتْكُا Sentence structure: اًسْرَد ُبِلاَّطلا َبَتَك (The student wrote a lesson) Key Topics Verb forms, noun patterns, plurals, derivation. Subject-predicate agreement, case endings, word order. Purpose Understand word formation and meaning. Ensure correct sentence construction and clarity. Box 1.1 Distinction between morphology and grammar Pilot questions 1.1 1. What is the Arabic term for morphology, and what does it study? 2. Give one example of how the root بتك generates different word forms. 3. Why is morphology important in analysing Arabic verbs? 4. What is the difference between morphology and grammar in Arabic? 5. Provide the present tense and imperative forms of the verb بتك. 1.2 Historical And Linguistic Background 1.2.1 Origins of morphological study in Arabic The study of morphology in Arabic, known as فرصلا ملع (ʿilm al-ṣarf), dates back to the early centuries of Islamic scholarship. Scholars recognised that the Arabic language, with its rich

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS system of roots and patterns, required systematic analysis to preserve its accuracy and purity. Early grammarians such as يديهارفلا دمحأ نب ليلخلا (al-Khalīl ibn Aḥmad al-Farāhīdī) and هيوبيس (Sībawayh) laid the foundations of morphological study by documenting how words are derived from triliteral and quadriliteral roots. Their works ensured that learners could trace the structure of words and understand how meaning changes with different forms. Fill in the blank: The scholar who authored the famous book “باتكلا” and contributed significantly to morphology was ________. Figure 1.2 Timeline of early contributors to Arabic morphology. 1.2.2 Contributions of classical scholars Classical scholars documented rules that guided the formation of words and their transformations. For example, they explained how the root ملع (ʿalima, “to know”) produces forms such as ملاع (ʿālim, “knower”), مولعم (maʿlūm, “known”), and ميلعت (taʿlīm, “teaching”). These contributions were preserved in texts that became reference points for generations of learners. The emphasis was not only on preserving the Qur’anic language but also on ensuring that Arabic remained a precise medium for science, literature, and communication. Fill in the blank: The word ميلعت is derived from the root ________, which means “to know.”

la-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Plate 1.2 Derived forms from the root ملع. 1.2.3 Modern relevance of morphology In modern times, morphology continues to play a vital role in Arabic linguistics. It is used in teaching Arabic as a foreign language, in computational linguistics, and in preserving classical texts. For learners today, morphology provides the key to unlocking the meaning of complex words and understanding how they function in different contexts. For instance, recognising that ةبتكم (maktaba, “library”) is derived from the root بتك (kataba, “to write”) helps learners connect the concept of writing with the place where books are stored. Fill in the blank: The word ةبتكم is derived from the root ________, which means “to write.” Application Area Example Explanation Teaching Arabic (ةيبرعلا ةغللا ميلعت) Verb conjugation charts, root-pattern exercises. Morphology helps learners understand word formation, enabling

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