Temporal adverbs of contrast in the Basic Variety of Arabic

Abstract This paper applies the model of the Basic Variety developed by Klein & Perdue (1997) and elaborated by Benazzo (2003) to two basic forms of communication in Arabic, Pidgin Madame and Gulf Pidgin Arabic. Benazzo’s analysis of the development of temporal adverbs of contrast (resultative already ; continuative still ) in the Basic Variety of German, French and English leads to certain predictions about the sequentiality of their acquisition. In the Basic Variety of Arabic the acquisition of these adverbs develops in a different manner. Although their source language does not contain a resultative adverb, both varieties feature such an adverb ( kalas ). This contradicts Benazzo’s findings, as does the relatively frequent use of a continuative particle ( bād ) at a very early stage.