Phonetic Substitution in the Qatari Dialect: The Glottal Stop Sound Hamza 10.35781/1637-000-172-004

Abstract

Abstract

This research investigates the phenomenon of phonetic substitution of the hamza in the contemporary Qatari dialect, revealing its roots in the speech of the Arabs during the periods of linguistic protestation (Uṣūr al-Iḥtijāj). The study comprises an introduction and two main sections: the first addresses the laws and motivations of phonetic substitution, while the second examines the forms of hamza substitution (into waw, ya, ayn, ha, and tasheel), tracing their origins, providing textual evidence from classical Arabic speech, analyzing them, and explaining the causes of phonetic change. The paper concludes with prominent findings and recommendations, emphasizing that all forms of hamza substitution are merely a valid, eloquent extension that achieves functional integration between Modern Standard Arabic and the dialect, shaping the distinctive phonetic features of the Qatari identity.
Adopting a descriptive methodology, the study yields several findings, notably: the alignment of the Qatari dialect's pronunciation of many words with mutawatir (frequently transmitted) Quranic readings, its preservation of ancient linguistic phenomena, and that phonetic substitution within it is governed by phonetic laws—most importantly, phonetic lightness (takhfeef). Furthermore, this substitution serves a function of cultural and social differentiation, revealing justified phonetic variation and a flexibility in the Arabic tongue that enables it to meet the requirements of human communication across all times.
Keywords: Qatari dialect, hamza, phonetic substitution, etymological tracing (ta'seel), analysis.