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- Title
On the genetic background of the Rbbl bn Hf'm grave inscription at Qaryat al-Fāw.
- Authors
Al-Jallad, Ahmad
- Abstract
It is widely believed that the Rbbl bn Hf'm grave inscription found at Qaryat al-Fāw is the earliest example of Old Arabic. The ten-line inscription – written in the Sabaic script – attests the common Arabic definite article, 'l, plus several other non-Sabaic linguistic features. I argue that the definite article is not a suitable diagnostic of genetic affiliation, and other features, such as mimation, the conjunction 'dky, and more, should also be given consideration. Through a close linguistic examination based on the principle of shared morphological innovations, I demonstrate that none of the morphological innovations which characterize Arabic are attested in this inscription. As such, its language is probably not a descendant of proto-Arabic. Our results further suggest that the 'l- article, which has previously been used as a marker of Arabic, was simply one of many definite article forms which spread to Arabic, and other Semitic languages of Arabia, through areal diffusion.
- Subjects
INSCRIPTIONS; ARABIC language; SEPULCHRAL monuments; SEMITIC languages; SABAEAN language; ARABIC dialects; SOUTH Arabic language; ANCIENT North Arabian language; HISTORY
- Publication
Bulletin of the School of Oriental & African Studies, 2014, Vol 77, Issue 3, p445
- ISSN
0041-977X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1017/S0041977X14000524