Some Linguistic Aspects of the Standard Arabic Noun Phrase

This paper deals with the structure of aspects of the Standard Arab noun phrase. It looks in particular at the relationship between the noun and a) the indefinite article (tanween), b) the definite article الـ (al), c) possessive pronoun suffixes, and d) the annex, the genitive element in a genitive phrase, as well as the relationship between the noun and a defining adjective. I consider the structure of these relationships. I claim that the relationship between the main noun and its annex, and that between the noun and its possessive pronoun suffix are syntactic Contrary to the traditional analysis, however, I claim that the relationship between the noun and the definite article, and that between the noun and indefinite article are morphological rather than syntactic, since the articles never enter into relations with elements which extend beyond the level of the word. I also consider the sequencing of elements within the noun phrase, and suggest that the apparently anomalous sequencing of the definite article الـ can be regarded as motivated in terms of the structure and sequencing of other elements with which it shares some common features, notably الذي, من and ما. Where relevant I draw comparisons between aspects of the Arabic structures and their correspondents in English.