Emphasis and Softness in Arabic and Semitic Languages ​​(A Comparative Study)

Abstract

This study sheds light on two contrasting phonetic characteristics that have occupied a prominent place in linguistic and Quranic studies, both ancient and modern: emphasis and softening. The study focuses on explaining these two characteristics in Arabic and Semitic languages, with the aim of identifying phonetic and verbal commonalities between these languages ​​and drawing a comparison between them. The origin is revealed through comparison.
The study follows a comparative approach, beginning with an examination of the concepts of emphasis and softening in Arabic and Semitic languages. It then examines the nature of emphasis and softening in phonetics and phonology. It then examines emphasis and softening in consonants (khs, dght, qz) in these languages, followed by a study of emphasis and softening of syllables in Arabic and Semitic languages. One of the most notable findings of the study is the presence of emphasis on the long alif in some Semitic languages, particularly Hebrew. This emphasis shifts the alif towards the waw. Removing emphasis from occlusion sounds is a phonemic change that affects the meaning of a word in Arabic. However, depriving these sounds of their emphasis in some Semitic languages ​​does not give the same meaning as in Arabic, as it results in a change in the word structure. Furthermore, the error in pronouncing the sounds (خ غ ق ل ر) in terms of emphasis and softening is a purely phonetic error that does not affect the meaning, as there are no softened equivalents for them. The occlusion sounds in Arabic and Semitic languages ​​have maintained their emphasis. Although they have changed phonetically, they have remained within the scope of occlusion, with the exception of the sound ط (ط), which is considered the strongest occlusion sound, as it has been changed to (ك، ج، د، ت). Perhaps this is a linguistic behavior by some languages ​​seeking ease and simplicity by shortening muscular effort. In contrast, the sounds (kh, gh, q) did not maintain their emphatic value in their phonetic changes in some Semitic languages. Kha' was replaced by Ha', Ghayn was replaced by Ayn, and Qaf was replaced by Hamza, Jeem, and Kaf. Keywords: Emphatic and Softening / Semitic Languages ​​/ Linguistic Sounds / Emphatic and Emphatic / Phonetics and Phonology.