Re: Sisters of kaana...asbaHaa, adHaa, zalla, amsaa, baataa

Yusuf B Gursey wrote:

> qureshna@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> > Dear Group Members, 'assalaamu 'alaikum!
> >
> > A verb like asbaHaa is usually given the meaning "to become".
> >
> > e.g. asbaHaa Zaid(un) mariiDan= Zaid became ill.
>
>  'aSbaHa
>
> >
> > However, I have read in a classical Arabic grammar book that
originally
> > "asbaHaa" meant " to be in the morning"..."adHaa" =to be in the
> > forenoon..."zalla" = to be during the day..."amsaa" = to be in the
> > evening..."baata"= to spend the night etc...
> >
> > So, my question is this. In the sentence above, what meaning would
have
> > an Arab taken in Classical Arabic period?

The concept of becoming (change) or remaining (state) can be seen in
English as well.
It varies in duration or pace. The following link(ing) verbs which take
adjectives (not adverbs) share the meaning:
Slow change: grow, become
Fast change: go, turn

In Arabic Ka:na and her sisters are used:
1. Concept of remaining: baqiya (what is left), Zalla (stay in the
shade) , ba:ta (stay motionless)
2. Concept of continuation: ma:za:la, ma:da:ma
3. Concept of change depending upon the time of the day: ?aSbaHa,
?amsa:, ?DHa:
4. Concept of formation: Sa:ra

 (?SbaHa) change to morning
(?aDha:) change to dawn, become visible)
(?amsa: ) change to evening

(Ba:ta) stay (no change) the night

I believe it was a way of time division which later became lexicalised.


>
>
> the meaning ws genralized very early in classcial arabic. dunno when.
>
> >
> > I would appreciate very much a clarification on the meaning of this
and
> > other verbs cited, in the Classical period.
> > 
> > Naseer