The Syntax of the Deontic Modal ʔilla in Jordanian Arabic

Abstract

Thestudy investigates the syntactic properties of deontic ʔilla in Jordanian Arabic (JA). It was shown that deontic ʔilla is a directive modal that expresses what is desired to be done from the perspective of the individual and/or the society, so it is used in to convey invitations, advice, and rules. It is argued that the deontic modal force that ʔilla has stems from the exclusive focus property that generally characterizes ʔilla in Arabic. As for the syntax of deontic ʔilla, I have proposed that the modal particle first merges in the head position of its projection (MdeoP) and then moves to the T position. The invariable imperfective verb after ʔilla does not bear any temporality, so it remains in the V position. Furthermore, arguments were advanced to support the standpoint that ʔilla is a positive polarity item. Finally, it was revealed that deontic ʔilla, unlike the epistemic one, occurs in assertive as well as non-assertive contexts, as cross-linguistically witnessed.