Reflections on the Book ‘the Dialect of al-Karak’

Abstract

 This study is a reading into the book ‘the Dialect of al-Karak’ by Prof. Abdelkader Merai al-Khalil and Prof. Yahya al-Qasim. It is a reading into the book from another perspective, one other than that of the original researchers. It was required to review some of what the researchers argued whether those related to the underlying reasons of the social and historical incidents, or those related to the linguistic aspects of the dialects spoken in the Jordanian city of al-Karak. This is where the importance of the study lies; it seeks both to elaborate on issues that are not originally addressed and modify what should be modified. This aim is what could make the book more interesting and useful. 

The study, which adopted a descriptive research tool, consisted of an introduction and two sections. The first section is devoted to discussing the linguistic and demographic groups of al-Karak speakers and the overlapping points in their dialects. The second section is devoted to studying some of the relevant phonological issues. All related sub-topics are subsequently listed under each section, ending with a conclusion involving the study’s most important findings and recommendations. The conclusion has put forward all information that the original researchers have missed due to a limitation in examining the target samples, which should enrich the main argument of the book and overcome its limitations.