The Typology and Classification of Wh-Questions in Moroccan Arabic

Abstract

This paper explores the typology and classification of wh-questions in natural languages like Moroccan Arabic. It aims at uncovering the principles and parameters that is only set by Moroccan Arabic. In other words, we seek to discover what are the common features and special characteristics that is only set in Moroccan Arabic, in hopes to find patterns that unify different languages in the world (especially Arabic dialects) and some differences between Moroccan Arabic and other languages. Our findings are as follows: wh-questions in natural languages, such as Moroccan Arabic, can be classified in different perspectives. These are positional, morphological, semantic, and historical classifications, among others. We also end the paper by looking at four strategies used in question formation. This paper essentially celebrates multilingualism, and that even dialects of an official language can possess linguistic characteristics that are peculiar to the official language itself.