Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume. 8 Number. 3 September, 2017 Pp. 18-27
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol8no3.2
Non-Verbal Predicate in English: Evidence from Iraqi Nominal Sentences
Saif Abdulwahed Jawad Alabaeeji
Department of Arabic Language and Culture
College of Foreign Languages and Literature
National Chengchi University,
Taipei, Taiwan
Abstract:
The fact that Iraqi nominal sentences are expressed without a verbal element has led the author to examine the status of the copula (be) in English. The aim is to reach at an explanation as to why Iraqi does not use a copula while English does. Explanation of this sort is significant because it has some direct implications on English language teaching and translation in Iraq. Using inductive method of reasoning, it has been established that tracing grammatical properties such as tense and agreement may lead to find-out the reason behind this cross-linguistic variation and subsequently reach at a generalization that maybe applicable to other languages. The latter is an issue that remains open for further research. While placing the discussion within the parameters of the Government and Binding (GB) theory, the author concluded the reason as non-verbal predication in Iraqi, unlike English, can support a combination of these grammatical properties and thus rendering the need for a copula redundant.
Keywords: Iraqi Arabic, nominal sentences, non-verbal predicates, verb-to be in English
Cite as: Alabaeeji, S. A. J. (2017). Non-Verbal Predicate in English: Evidence from Iraqi Nominal Sentences.
Arab World English Journal, 8 (3).
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol8no3.2