What Are Calling Tools
In the Arabic language, calling tools represent a linguistic method employed to facilitate communication among individuals. This method serves as a critical element in everyday interactions and is defined as a request for the attention of the person being called, represented by specific letters known as calling letters. Essentially, a call consists of a calling letter followed by the name of the person being addressed. For instance, in the sentence: (يا وليدُ، اذهب إلى أمّك), the expression “يا” denotes the calling letter, while “وليد” signifies the person being called, making this an example of a calling style that directs Walid to go to his mother.
Calling tools are utilized by the caller and can be classified into three categories:
Calling Tools for the Close
These tools are used when addressing individuals who are physically or conceptually close. They include:
- The letter “أ” (Alif), as in: أزيدُ، أعطني كأسَ ماء. Here, the closeness is evident in the literal context, while in contexts like: أفاطمُ، لا تبيني عنّي, the nearness is more abstract.
- “أيْ”, as in: أيْ أُخيَّ، قم بِعَملكَ على الوجه الأحسن. This case may indicate either a literal or metaphorical proximity.
Calling Tools for the Distant
These tools are used to call out to individuals who are physically or conceptually far away. Examples include:
- “أيا”, as in: أيا خائنًا للأوطان، ستندم ولو بعد حين. Here, the distance expressed is conceptual rather than physical.
- “هيا”, as in: هيا مترددًا، اتّخذ قراركَ. This phrase may also imply either literal or figurative distance.
Calling Tools for Both Close and Distant
These tools can be applied when calling both close and distant individuals. The primary example is:
- “يا”, recognized as the most commonly used calling tool. Examples include:
- يا بُنيَّ، لا تسهرْ كثيرًا.
- يا ربِّ، اغفر لنا ذنوبنا.
Additionally, there are other signaling tools used frequently in Arabic sentences, such as the exclamatory tool (ندبة). This tool conveys a sense of mourning or distress, as in the expression: (وا ولداه), which reflects grief and sorrow.
Another significant tool is the inclusive “أيُّ”, which can be used to address a noun defined by “ألـ”. This tool remains consistently constructed in the nominative case and is applicable to male and female forms, singular and plural categories, as illustrated by the following examples:
- “أيها”: applicable for masculine singular, dual, and plural forms.
- Singular: يا أيها الطالبُ ادرس جيدًا.
- Dual: يا أيها الطالبان ادرسا جيدًا.
- Plural: يا أيها الطلاب ادرسوا جيدًا.
- Singular (feminine): يا أيتها الفتاةُ اكتبي النصَ.
- Dual (feminine): يا أيتها الفتاتان اكتبا النص.
- Plural (feminine): يا أيتها الفتياتُ اكتبن النص.
It is possible to omit the calling tool when the context implies its absence, as showcased in the following phrases from the Quran: {يوسُفُ أَعرِض عَن هـذا وَاستَغفِري لِذَنبِكِ إِنَّكِ كُنتِ مِنَ الخاطِئينَ}. The underlying structure of the sentence can be interpreted as: يا يوسف أعرضْ عن هذا. Likewise in the phrase: {قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ}, which can be understood as: (قال: يا ربّ اغفر لي).
Parsing Calling Tools
The parsing of calling tools varies among them; some are recognized as letters, which are constructed without an assigned grammatical role, while others take on the form of nouns which are constructed in the nominative case. Detailed examples are as follows:
- يا ناصر المستضعفين، نصرك الله: A calling letter constructed without an assigned grammatical position.
- أيا وليدُ، انتبه لدراستك: A calling letter constructed without an assigned grammatical position.
- هيا باغيَ الخيرِ، أقبل: A calling letter constructed without an assigned grammatical position.
- أيْ رجلُ، احذر البغيَ: A calling letter constructed without an assigned grammatical position.
- أوالديَّ، جزاكم الله خيرًا: A calling letter constructed with a case of opened ending.
- أيُّها التاريخُ، عدنا: A noun in the nominative case.
- وافرجاه: An exclamatory tool constructed without an assigned grammatical position.
Exercises on Calling Tools
- Question One: Extract the calling tool and its meaning from the following sentences:
| Sentence | Calling Tool | Usage |
| يا زارعًا قمحًا، لا تنسَ رشّه | يا | Calling tool for both close and distant |
| أهندُ، لأنتَ الطالبةُ الأذكى | أ | Calling tool for the close |
| وامعتصماه | وا | Calling tool for both close and distant |
| أيْ حافظُ، تخلّق بأخلاقه | أيْ | Calling tool for the close |
| أيا قارئًا الكتابَ، أحسن فهمه | أيا | Calling tool for the distant |
| هيا سليمانُ، تعالَ إلى المسجد | هيا | Calling tool for the distant |
| أيُّها الرجال، خذوا حذركم | أيُّ | Calling tool for addressing a specific noun defined by “ألـ” |
- Question Two: Construct meaningful sentences using the following calling tools created by you:
- يا: يا مدرّس الفنّ، اهتمّ بطلابك.
- أ: أمطالبًا بالحقّ، لا تخجل منه.
- أيا: أيا سعيدُ، لا تتغيّب عن مجلس العلم.
- أيْ: أيْ فتاةُ، اعتني بدروسك.
- هَيَا: هَيَا مستعيرًا الكتابَ، لا تفسد غلافه.
- أيُّ: أيُّتها المديرةُ، أحسني إلى الموظفات.
- وا: وا رشاداه.
- Question Three: Create meaningful sentences based on the following criteria:
- A sentence using a calling tool for the close: أفلسطينُ، لن ننساكِ.
- A sentence using a calling tool for the distant: أيا متغرّبًا، عدْ إلى وطنك.
- A sentence using a shared calling tool (for both close and distant): يا رافعَ العلمِ، أبقه خفّاقًا.
- A sentence of exclamation: وا إسلاماه.
- A sentence addressing a noun defined by “ألـ”: أيُّها المعلّم، قدرك رفيع.
- A sentence using a calling tool constructed in the opened ending, having no grammatical position: أسامرُ، لا تبتعد عن البيتِ.
- A sentence using a calling tool constructed without an assigned grammatical position: أيْ رجلُ، احذر منعطفات الطريق.
- A sentence using a calling tool constructed in the nominative case: أيُّها الرجلان، احفظا قصائد من عيون الأدب.
- Question Four: Correct the errors in the following sentences as per the context, along with the justification for your answers.
- Muhammad addressed his friend next to him with: أيا زيدُ، أغلق النافذة: The corrected version is (أزيدُ، أغلق النافذة); since the calling tool “أيا” is for the distant, while his friend is nearby.
- The father called out to his son who was on the opposite bank of the river: أمحمدُ، تعالَ عندنا: The corrected version is (أيا محمّد، تعال عندنا) or (هيا محمّد، تعال عندنا); as his son is positioned at a distance, necessitating a calling tool meant for the distant.
The tools of calling are diverse, varying in their implications for proximity or distance, as well as distinguishing between being a noun or a letter. They also differ based on the context in which they signify a call, a plea for assistance, or an exclamatory expression.