The Impact of Vowels on the Formation of Word Structures in Arabic and Kurdish – A Comparative Analytical Study

Abstract

Vowels play important and precise roles in shaping word structures in both Arabic and Kurdish. However, the differences in the phonological systems of the two languages ​​are significant. The Arabic phonological system is characterized by several phenomena and features related to vowels, such as deletion, shortening, and reduction, resulting from the interaction and influence between the sounds of the language itself. Changes in vowels are not limited to spelling words but extend beyond phonetics to produce semantic changes. In other words, there is a complex interplay between pronunciation and meaning due to changes in short and long vowels. Replacing one short vowel with another in the structure of a word can cause a radical change in its meaning. A short vowel may indicate the gender of the addressee, while a long vowel can specify the singular form of the word. Dual and plural forms, in addition to their impact on morphological changes that reshape word structures by defining the functions of morphemes, also play a significant role in the syllabic system of both languages. This research strives to offer a fresh and bold approach to subtle phonetic issues in Arabic and Kurdish, aiming to move the study of phonetics beyond simply reproducing the work of earlier scholars. If we err, we are rewarded for our effort and attempt; if we succeed, we are doubly rewarded. The research endeavors to ground each feature of phonetics in solid linguistic reality. It is structured according to modern phonetic approaches that approach phonetics from a perspective that restores its significance and highlights its crucial importance in shaping word structures. One of the most striking differences between Arabic and Kurdish phonetics is that they are more stable and pronounced in the written and spoken structures of Kurdish, while Arabic word structures are characterized by the possibility of omitting some phonemes in writing while still remaining understandable from context.