Grammaticalisation of ʔelħi:n in Haili Arabic- From Propositional Item to Discourse Particle: Split CP Investigation

This paper explores the linguistic properties of a discourse variant temporal adverb ʔelħi:n, used in Haili Dialect Najdi Arabic (HA). Maintaining characteristic co-occurring clause-initially, and examining lexical/discoursal articulated structures, ʔelħi:n has developed conventionalized use, turning its morphology into particle that expresses degree speaker’s attitude. undergone process grammaticalisation, with morphosyntactic consequence: changing phrasal status to head one. Evidence supporting this direction derives from intervention effects (Rizzi, 2006)- inhabits movement head-items syntax. The immediate consequence change direct impact on syntax ʔelħi:n: occurring clause-initially phonology: being unable bear high tone, unlike counterpart. Implementing cartographic mechanisms, Rizzi’s (1997) Split CP System, holding observations inherently focused material wh-phrase leɪʃ ‘why’ merges position c-commanded by it is established instance first at head, instantiating projection, PrtP, whence semantically wide-scopes propositional-TP. Constituents preceding are then argued move remerge some Spec phrase, C-TopP (Frascarelli & Hinterhölzl, 2007). Mapping CP-layer HA, PrtP headed maintains rigid order respect CP-items, which makes possible, initial mapping left periphery calling for scrutiny more structure.