Article
Non-Verbal Predicate in English: Evidence from Iraqi Nominal Sentences
Arab World English Journal
(2017)
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.Â
Keywords
- Iraqi Arabic,
- nominal sentences,
- non-verbal predicates,
- verb-to be in English
Disciplines
Publication Date
Summer September 15, 2017
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol8no3.2
Citation Information
Saif Abdulwahed Jawad Alabaeeji. "Non-Verbal Predicate in English: Evidence from Iraqi Nominal Sentences" Arab World English Journal Vol. 8 Iss. 3 (2017) p. 18 - 27 ISSN: 2229-9327 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/arabworldenglishjournal-awej/376/