An Alternative Semantic Analysis of the Particle ʃikil in Jordanian Arabic

This paper revisits the semantics of marker ʃikil in Jordanian Arabic (henceforth, JA) which has been analyzed as indirect evidential previous literature (Al-Malahmeh 2013; Jarrah & Alshamari 2017, and others). The argues that is a propositional-level rather than an illocutionary-level operator therefore amenable to modal analysis. also provides evidence epistemic modality system JA can be finer-grained terms propositions construed base either logical reasoning-based or observable evidence-based. Such intriguing feature overlooked possible world (Kratzer 1991, 2012) but slightly reformed analysis advocated for this where argued construe presupposition restricting only. Cross-linguistically, findings current lend further support unfolding asserts affinity heterogeneity evidentiality modality. At same time, it poses serious challenge seminal works such those Aikhenvald (2004) De-Haan (1999, 2004) who claimed homogenous category.