The Verbal Nouns of Trilateral Transitive Verbs within Theory and Practice in Modern Standard Arabic: A Statistical Analytical Study

Abstract

Objectives: The study statistically examines and analyzes the verbal nouns of trilateral transitive verbs in Modern Standard Arabic. The goal is to identify their morphological forms, facilitating easy learning and acquisition for both native and non-native Arabic speakers. Methods: The study initially collected trilateral transitive verbs with verbal nouns in Modern Standard Arabic from six references. It then analyzed and compared these verbs with morphological rules, followed by statistical analysis. Finally, the identified verbs and their verbal nouns were categorized in the study, aiming to provide valuable insights for both Arabic teachers and learners. Results: The study identifies 606 trilateral transitive verbs in Modern Standard Arabic with 667 verbal nouns, revealing 61 more verbal roots than verbs. This challenges the theoretical premise that each verb corresponds to a single verbal noun. The increase is attributed to some verbs having multiple nouns (two or three). The substantial difference in the number of verbal nouns highlights a significant statistical distinction between trilateral transitive verbs' verbal nouns in Classical Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic. Conclusions: The study reveals that verbal nouns derived from trilateral transitive verbs encompass 26 morphological forms beyond the standard (fa’l), categorized into six types based on regular and irregular rules. The recommendation is to integrate these findings into Arabic teaching and curriculum development for both native and non-native speakers, underscoring their practical significance in learning while cautioning against distracting generalizations.