The clause structure of Turaif Arabic

Abstract

In this dissertation, I investigate the clause structure of Turaif Arabic, an undocumented dialect, a dialect that is spoken in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. I present a description and analysis of the three main clauses SVO, VOS, and VOS. I show that one order may have different interpretations. Further, the data show that there are a number of positions for the subject in the clause. That is to say, the clause structure appears to be richer than what it is been assumed. Thus, using several types of evidence from the dialect like the of adverb positions, quantifier float, agreement, the negation and quantifier interaction as well as binding, it will be shown that previous accounts have oversimplified the clause structure and the subject-verb agreement issues. Besides, this dissertation adds to Rizzi's (1997) analysis of the left periphery of the clause. Although, I follow Rizzi's assumption of the kind of elements the left periphery of the clause can host, topics and foci, I slightly depart from his analysis with regard to the order these elements can be in. I show that elements in the left periphery take various orders depending on the clause they are in. The dissertation is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to Turaif Arabic and a necessary background for the discussion of the different clauses. Chapter 2 analyzes SVO clauses. I argue that the subject of SVO clauses appears in various positions depending on how it is interpreted. Taking into account Rizzi's (1997) analysis of the left periphery of the clause, I show that it not always the case that topics follow and precede the focused element. Chapter 3 focuses on VSO clauses. I argue that the subject of VSO clauses is always interpreted as neutral and never moves to a position before the verb. Chapter 4 investigates VOS clauses. I argue that these clauses are derived out of SVO clauses. The subject of VOS clauses is in a TopP whereas the VO is in a FocP.