The Problem of Standardization of Al-Hamza Between Full Pronunciation and Elision in the early stages of linguistic research An Understanding Attempt under Historical Linguistics Framework

Abstract

This research discusses the problem of the standardization of Al-Hamza “glottal stop” between full pronunciation and elision in the early linguistic research. It reveals the connection between the problem of standardizing Al-Hamza and the assumed historical state of Arabic, and the hypothesis of common literary Arabic language, elucidating historical and cultural conditions necessary for the emergence of a standard language according to sociolinguistics.  The research then presents the debate, critique and writing that Al-Hamza has provoked, as well as the criticism levelled at linguists, reciters, and eloquent Bedouin Arabs.It reveals the problem of Al-Hamza and its connection to the early historical state of Arabic, for the linguistic standard did not form instantly. The issue of Al-Hamza had a special status in that standard due to the variation among Arabic dialects. The conception of common literary Arabic hypothesis attributes the problem of Al-Hamza to the mistakes of the common people when attempting to emulate classical Arabic. Finally, the reasons why standard Arabic chose full pronunciation of Al-Hamza over elision are mentioned: the general state of Al-Hamza in the speech of Arabs, and the principle of avoiding ambiguity favoring full pronunciation.