A Contrastive Analysis of Arabic and Afrikaans Sentence Syntax

Abstract

This study provides a contrastive syntactic analysis of verbal clause structures in Arabic and Afrikaans, focusing on the expression of tense, voice, mood, and negation. While Arabic is a Semitic language and Afrikaans a West Germanic language, the two intersect historically through the Cape Muslim community of South Africa, particularly in the development of Arabic Afrikaans written in Arabic script. Drawing on contrastive and typological linguistic frameworks, the study examines morphological and periphrastic strategies, word order patterns, and subject-verb agreement systems in both languages. The analysis indicates significant structural divergences alongside functional parallels, particularly in analytic constructions and negation patterns. By situating the comparison within South Africa’s multilingual context, the study aims to enhance theoretical knowledge of language, providing useful insights for practical teaching methods that compare and contrast grammar between Arabic and Afrikaans, whilst also contributing to the understanding of cultural links expressed through language.