The Loss of the Infinitive and Its Replacement by the Imperfect in Christian Palestinian Aramaic

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Christian Palestinian Aramaic is the only Late Aramaic dialect that lacks an Infinitive. I argue that the loss of the form and the choice of the Imperfect to take over its functions were facilitated by convergence with Arabic, just like in the typologically similar Western Neo-Aramaic. Sedentarization processes of Arabic-speaking pastoralists in the centuries preceding the Muslim conquest and subsequent language shift to Aramaic provide a possible contact-scenario that could account for the Arabic influence.
Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationThe IOS Annual
Subtitle of host publicationCarrying a Torch to Distant Mountains
EditorsYoram Cohen, Amir Gilan, Letizia Cerqueglini, Beata Sheyhatovitch
Chapter3
Pages274-310
Number of pages37
ISBN (Electronic)978900449140
DOIs
StatePublished - 29 Nov 2021

Publication series

NameThe IOS Annual: The Israel Oriental Studies Annual Dedicated to the Ancient Near East, Semitics, and Arabic
Volume21

Keywords

  • Aramaic-Arabic Language Contact
  • Convergence
  • Western Aramaic

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