The Old and the New: Considerations in Arabic Historical Dialectology

Arabic historical dialectology has long been based on a methodology, one which seeks to link population movements with modern linguistic behavior. This article argues that nexus of interrelated issues, centered around general theme “oldness,” impaired this work, and proposes basic principles avoid the misinterpretation data. there is strong tendency essentialize idea conservatism attribute it groups have archaic features. Against view, should be seen as failure participate in otherwise widespread innovations. It critiques assumption dialect distribution directly derived from earliest settlements established during Islamic conquests seventh century, arguing instead long-term durability unlikely. The further challenges highly conservative dialects such those Yemen are ancestral meaningful way, either more proximate ancestors or wave-like diffusion had greater impact development dialects. Finally, paper suggests heuristic approach typical processes language human migration offers productive understanding history than model events; many existing classifications may heuristic.