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In other words, it means that even though a language may possess a ''regular'' form of making a plural (like the suffix ''-s'' in English), some words will form ''irregular'' plurals expressed by vocalization patterns of the Triliteral rather than by suffigation. While the phenomenon is known from several Semitic languages, nowhere has it become as productive as in Arabic . BROKEN PLURALS IN ARABIC In Arabic , the ''regular'' way of making a plural for a masculine noun is adding the suffix ''-ūn'' at the end. For feminine nouns, the regular way is to add the suffix ''-āt.'' Yet one finds that less than 10% of all plurals used in everyday speech or in written texts (modern and classical, even the Qur'an ) adhere to these simple rules. Instead, spoken and written Arabic produces plurals using a system of groups based on the vocalization of the word. This system is not fully regular, as can be seen in the examples and the article below. Broken plurals are known as "Jam' Takseer" (جمع تكسير) in Arabic Grammar . These plurals are one of the most bizarre aspects of the language, given the very strong and highly detailed grammar and derivation rules that govern the written language. Full knowledge of these plurals comes with extended exposure to the language. Much like spelling in English, this system has so many special cases that can only be known by reading a lot of Arabic texts. (An example from English spelling: ''sheik'' is spelled with "-eik" and ''shriek'' with "-iek.") Example As Semitic languages typically form Triconsonantal roots, forming a "grid" into which vowels may be inserted without affecting the basic root. Here are a few examples; note that the commonality is in the consonants, not the vowels.
:note: these three words all have a common word root, ''K-T-B'' ك – ت – ب "to write"
WaRaQ SHaJaR :but: ''JaMaL'' جمل "camel" → ''JiMāL'' جمال "camels" maLBaS FaNN :but: ''RaBB'' ربّ "master, owner" → ''aRBāB'' أرباب "masters" SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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