The Base Does Not Count: A Special Pattern of Reduplicative Verbs in Omani Arabic

Abstract

Omani Arabic has a large number of reduplicative verbs whose base is composed of a single syllable C1aC2. The base reduplicates into two distinct shapes C1aC2C1aC2 or C1aC2C2aC2 which are semantically intriguing as they acquire a new lexical meaning distinct from that expressed by the base. Being structurally long, semantically inaccessible and pragmatically succinct, OA reduplicative verbs predict an unprecedented shift in word formation in OA. Not only do they stand in a strange semantic relation with their bases, they are observed to be pragmatically versatile as they are used to serve the functions of griping, advising and entertaining. Such functions are untapped; previous work on reduplication has been devoted to the meanings of reduplication at the lexical level. The functions at the level of discourse and context have long been overlooked. This paper describes reduplicative verbs structurally and semantically. Dialogues where OA reduplicative verbs surface are presented to explore their functions as used within the youth circle. This helps contextualize the level at which reduplicative verbs surface hoping to offer an understanding to both the contextual and discoursal levels of reduplicative verbs.