DEMOISTURIZATION VARIATIONS OF THE ARABIC PHONEME “JEEM”

Abstract

The study aims to determine the demoisturized sound among the variations of Arabic phoneme, Jeem, the fifth Arabic alphabet, through examining the manner of articulation of these variations. It will also examine how place of articulation affects the air causing this demoisturization. The researcher made use of an explanatory diagram and the computer program (praat) and came up to the following findings: 1) Classical “Jeem” is not a combination of plosiveness and friction. 2) It also retains some moisture which facilitate gliding of the tongue forward to create narrowness that results in friction. 3) The Levant “jeem” is more moisturized than the classical one as its stable moisture is exposed to a strong rush of air. 4) Caireen “jeem” is not demoisturized. Because air rushes out intermittently, it doesn’t create demoisturization which requires a continuous air flow.