Syllable Structure in Ma?bashi Yemeni Arabic

A Descriptive Analysis

Abstract

This paper attempts at describing the syllable structure in Mahbashi Yemeni Arabic. Ma?bashi Yemeni Arabic (MYA) is one of the neglected Yemeni Arabic varieties. The study shows that MYA exhibits ten syllable structures. This variety permits the following syllable types: CV, CVC, CVV, CVVC, CCV, CCVV, CCVCC, CCVC, CVCC and CCVVC. The study proved that the syllable structures CV, CVV, CCV and CCVV do not occur in monosyllabic words. They exist in bi-syllabic words. It is also noticed that onsetless syllables are banned, coda is optional, consonant clusters are allowed up to two consonants in both onset and coda positions and the geminates are permissible word medially and finally.