Al-Fasl (Separating) Pronoun; the Concept, Its Structural and Semantic Functions

Abstract

This research studies the concept of Al-Fasl (separating) pronoun in Arabic linguistic studies, the semantic implications of the different terms used to refer to it, the grammatical controversies among Arab scholars about its true nature, and its structural and semantic functions. The research first reviews and compares the views of the traditional scholars of the two main Arabic linguistic schools; Basrah and Kufa on all aspects related to this pronoun. The researcher then analyses various texts, including Quranic verses, in which the pronoun occurs illustrating the semantic and structural possibilities that the pronoun may indicate. The research, on the basis of the analysis, concludes that the pronoun shows all the semantic and structural functions and features of the noun word category.