Sleep Expression Category in Arabic: A Morphosemantic Approach

  • Alif Cahya Setiyadi Department of Arabic Language Teaching, Faculty of Tarbiyah, Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Siman 63471 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6899-5572
  • Anhar Department of Arabic Language Teaching, Faculty of Tarbiyah, Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Siman 63471 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0104-4975
  • Riza Nurlaila Department of Arabic Language Teaching, Faculty of Tarbiyah, Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Siman 63471 https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9435-0469
  • Maram Traf Department of Arabic Language, Oriental Institute, Faculty of History, Art, and Area Studies, Universität Leipzig, 04109
Abstract views: 83 , PDF downloads: 41
Keywords: Arabic vocabulary, sleep expression, morphosemantic, sleep category, semantic field

Abstract

The Arabic language is renowned for its immense richness and depth. It is widely recognized as one of the world's most intricate and expressive languages. This richness stems from several factors, including its extensive vocabulary, complex grammar, and diverse linguistic features. Despite Arabic's reputation for linguistic depth, there is limited morphosemantic analysis focusing on the variety of Arabic nouns derived from verb-root patterns that express sleep. This study aims to investigate these sleep-related nouns to uncover the diverse roots, meanings, and classifications that demonstrate the richness of Arabic vocabulary in this semantic field. This article presents a morphosemantic investigation to determine the verb-root pattern of sleep nouns from which the noun construction originates. The study comprises three main stages. Firstly, each sleep expression is extracted by consulting an online and a classical Arabic dictionary to identify their basic root. Secondly, the meanings of all aforementioned sleep-noun expressions are determined based on the same dictionary. Lastly, the categorization of Arabic sleep nouns is established. This study's findings reveal at least twenty distinct basic roots that convey the concept of sleep in Arabic, each with its unique and distinguishable meaning. These expressions can then be classified into three categories: Durations, Stages, and Time.

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Author Biographies

Alif Cahya Setiyadi, Department of Arabic Language Teaching, Faculty of Tarbiyah, Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Siman 63471

ALIF CAHYA SETIYADI is an Arabic lecturer at the University of Darussalam Gontor, specializing in Applied Linguistics. He earned his Ph.D. in Arabic Linguistics from the University of Leipzig, Germany. Currently, he serves as a researcher and vice dean of the Faculty of Tarbiyah at the University of Darussalam Gontor. His expertise lies in Arabic Applied Linguistics and linguistics pedagogy. Alongside his research, he actively teaches Arabic linguistics, participates in Arabic computational projects, particularly in morphology and instructs Arabic to non-native speakers. He holds the position of assistant professor and tutor at the university.

Anhar, Department of Arabic Language Teaching, Faculty of Tarbiyah, Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Siman 63471

ANHAR is a lecturer and researcher in Arabic Language at Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Indonesia. He holds a background in Arabic language teaching. His research centers on Arabic linguistics, Arabic language teaching for non-native speakers, and the development of Arabic language assessment models. His scholarly interests include the integration of classical Arabic grammatical traditions with contemporary approaches to language teaching, as well as the design of proficiency-based testing and curriculum development in Arabic language education.

Riza Nurlaila, Department of Arabic Language Teaching, Faculty of Tarbiyah, Universitas Darussalam Gontor, Siman 63471

RIZA NURLAILA is an Arabic lecturer at the University of Darussalam Gontor, specializing in Arabic Language Teaching. She teaches Arabic writing, learning technology, assessment, and calligraphy (khaṭ), with research interests in Arabic pedagogy, digital media in Arabic learning, and the aesthetics and ethics of Islamic calligraphy. She is actively involved in academic research, student supervision, and the development of innovative Arabic learning media.

Maram Traf, Department of Arabic Language, Oriental Institute, Faculty of History, Art, and Area Studies, Universität Leipzig, 04109

MARAM TRAF is a researcher specializing in Arabic language instruction for non-native speakers in the Arab world. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Arabic Language at the Oriental Institute, Faculty of History, Art, and Area Studies, Universität Leipzig, Germany. Her research focuses on methodologies and practices in teaching Arabic to non-native learners.

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Published
2025-05-31
How to Cite
Setiyadi, A. C., Anhar, Nurlaila, R., & Traf, M. (2025). Sleep Expression Category in Arabic: A Morphosemantic Approach. OKARA: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra, 19(1), 124–142. https://doi.org/10.19105/ojbs.v19i1.18832