Linguistic Development in the Najdi Dialect in Light of Nabati Poetry: A Study of the Poetry of Khalaf bin Hithal

Abstract

This study examines linguistic development in the Najdi dialect through an analysis of selected poems by Khalaf bin Hithal, focusing on phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic features. By adopting an integrative methodology that combines descriptive, analytical, and historical approaches, the research traces patterns of linguistic change and continuity within the dialect. Nabati poetry is treated as a valuable linguistic corpus that reflects both historical depth and contemporary usage, allowing for a comparative analysis with Classical Arabic and earlier dialectal forms. The study investigates how linguistic phenomena operate across different levels of language and how they are shaped by cultural and social contexts. The findings demonstrate that the linguistic features present in Khalaf bin Hithal’s poetry are not deviations from Standard Arabic but rather continuations of features found in ancient Arabic dialects that have been preserved in Najdi speech. Regularity is observed in several phonological, morphological, and syntactic patterns, indicating systematic linguistic development rather than random variation. The study also highlights the presence of culturally embedded vocabulary that reflects the social environment of Najd, thereby emphasizing the close relationship between language, culture, and identity in the evolution of regional Arabic dialects.