The Variations of Stem-Final Vowel in Cairene Egyptian Colloquial Arabic: Pre-suffix Vowel Lengthening Process

Abstract

This research aims to explain one of the changes which are exerted on the stem- final vowel of the Cairene Egyptian Arabic word, i.e., the pre-suffix vowel lengthening. Pre-suffix vowel lengthening is one of the most famous lexical processes; it is a result of the interaction between morphemes within the lexical level. These interferences are illustrated and organized by Mohanan's (1982) theory of lexical phonology. To illustrate such variations, Salah Jahin's 'Ar-Rubaaᶜiyyaat' (1986) has been chosen in this research as the case study, due to the fact that Jahin (1986) carefully chooses his words, and expressions, and he succeeds to reflect the actual dialect spoken in Cairo. Jahin's 'Ar-Rubaaᶜiyyaat' is, thus, a good example of the Cairene Egyptian dialect that can be analyzed through the tools of Mohanan's theory of lexical phonology.