Pause by Substitution in Arabic A Phonetic Investigative Study among Ancient and Modern Scholars

Abstract

This research revolves around a linguistic phenomenon in Arabic pause patterns, known as “pause by substitution”. Although it is a noteworthy phonetic phenomenon deserving of study and analysis, researchers have not given it due attention. What has been mentioned so far are either passing references or limited pieces of information within broader discussions on pausing in general or within the field of Qur’anic pause studies.

    Accordingly, this research attempts to investigate this phenomenon thoroughly, examining the contexts in which it was mentioned, analyzing related commentaries, and reviewing both poetic and prose examples, as well as relevant Qur’anic readings that support the existence of this phenomenon. The study also examines the views of scholars critically and compares various pieces of evidence and opinions. Ultimately, it aims to determine whether “pause by substitution” is a necessary and forced occurrence or a linguistic feature rooted in Arabic dialects.