Internal pluralization in Maltese : continuity and innovation

Abstract

In this paper I shall try to analyse one particular feature of the Arabic structure of Maltese, namely internal pluralization, and to follow its historical development across the different components which make up modern Maltese. This will serve to highlight on one hand its continued productivity with words of non-Arabic origin Chere referred to as RM "Romance Maltese" or EM "English Maltese"), and on the other the changes which the system has been submitted to, both by internal development in the dialectal Arabic stratum of Maltese and by the pressure of a large volume of borrowings, some of which could only with difficulty conform to the norms of the host language. It will consist of three parts containing: (A) general historical changes affecting internal plurals in Maltese; CB) a short review of the patterns; (C) innovations dictated by the non-Arabic element.