Definition of Demonstrative Pronouns for Distant Reference
Demonstrative pronouns for distant reference are linguistic elements that signify a specific meaning through a conceptual indication when the referenced object or idea is not physically present. These pronouns refer to elements that exist only in the mind. In Arabic, the demonstrative pronouns are limited, and they become markers of distance when prefixed with the letter ‘kaf’ for addressing, or with the letter ‘lam’ indicating distance, or both simultaneously.
Categories of Demonstrative Pronouns for Distant Reference
Demonstrative pronouns for distant reference are categorized into three sections: those indicating a singular noun, those indicating a dual noun, and those referring to a plural noun. Each category can be further divided into masculine and feminine forms:
Pronouns for Singular Reference
Demonstrative pronouns that signal a distant singular item can be divided into several types, including:
ذلك (Thalika)
This pronoun is used for distant masculine singular references and consists of ‘Dh’ (for the masculine form), the letter ‘lam’ indicating distance, and the letter ‘kaf’ for addressing. The pronoun can be dualized as “ذَانِكَ” (dhānika) and pluralized as “ذَلِكَ” (dhālikum). When stripped of ‘lam’, it appears as “ذاك” (dhāk) and serves to reference animate beings, such as in the phrase: “ذلك الرجل” (that man).
Here, the demonstrative pronoun refers to a singular masculine being present in the mind, identified as “الرجل” (the man). It can also denote inanimate objects, for example: “ذاك الكتاب” (that book), where “ذاك” refers to a singular non-human entity present in the mind, namely “الكتاب” (the book).
تلك (Tilka)
This pronoun is used for distant feminine singular references and consists of “ت” (for the feminine form), the letter ‘lam’ indicating distance, and the letter ‘kaf’ for addressing. It can be made dual as “تلكما” (tilkamā) and plural as “تلكم” (tilkuma), and can denote both animate and inanimate entities. For instance, “تلك فتاة” (that girl) indicates a feminine singular entity present in the mind.
Here, the demonstrative refers to the feminine singular animate being “الفتاة” (the girl), and additionally “تلك طاولة” (that table) where the pronoun indicates a feminine singular inanimate being present in the mind, identified as “الطاولة” (the table).
هناك (Hunak)
This term serves as an indicator of a distant place, made up of “هن” (here) and ‘kaf’ for addressing, or can appear as “هنالك” (hunālika) for the same purpose, indicating a distant location as well. The demonstrative functions in this context as an adverb of place.
ثمَّ (Thumma)
This is another pronoun used in Arabic to indicate a distant location. The term may be connected with the letter ‘t’ to form the word “ثمّة” (thumma), and it also serves as an adverb regardless of whether the ‘t’ has been prefixed or not.
Pronouns for Dual Reference
Demonstrative pronouns used for distant dual references include:
ذانك (Dhānika)
This pronoun refers to two distant masculine beings and is composed of “ذانِ” (dhānī) together with ‘kaf.’ This term can refer to male entities, both animate and inanimate, as seen in the phrases “ذانك رجلان” (those two men) and “ذانك كتابان” (those two books).
In the first example, “ذانك” refers to the masculine dual animate entities present in the mind, identified as “رجلان” (two men), while the second highlights the dual inanimate concept identified as “كتابان” (two books).
تانك (Tānka)
This pronoun is used for two distant feminine beings, consisting of “تانِ” (tānī) and the letter ‘kaf.’ This term refers to dual feminine entities, whether they are animate or inanimate, such as in the expressions “تانك فتاتان” (those two girls) and “تانك وردتان” (those two roses).
In the first instance, “تانك” indicates the dual feminine animate entities, represented as “الفتاتان” (two girls), while in the second, it refers to the dual inanimate entities, specifically “وردتان” (two roses).
Pronouns for Plural Reference
Only one pronoun serves this purpose: “أولئك” (Ulā’ika), which is used to reference both masculine and feminine plural forms at a distance, consisting of “أولاءِ” (ulā’) and ‘kaf.’ This pronoun can indicate both male and female groups, whether they are sentient or not. Examples include “أولئك فتيات” (those are girls) and “أولئك فتيان” (those are boys).
Here, the first reference points to the plural feminine entities, while the second highlights the plural masculine entities present in the mind. Additional examples include “أولئك كتب” (those books) and “أولئك طاولات” (those tables), where the pronoun indicates non-human plural entities.
Grammatical Analysis of Demonstrative Pronouns for Distant Reference
All demonstrative pronouns are built based on the final vowel of their linguistic form. In this context, “ذاك” and “تي” are built on a static form, while “ثمَّ” and “ثمّةَ” use an open vowel form. Additionally, the plural reference “أولاءِ” is also based on a consonantal construction. However, “ذان” and “تين” are flexible and are subject to case markings, with the nominative marked by “الألف” (alif), and the genitive and accusative marked by “الياء” (ya).
In terms of placement, all demonstrative pronouns for distant reference adapt their grammatical function depending on their context in a sentence, behaving similarly to visible proper nouns. Here are some examples:
- As mentioned in the verse: {ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِلْمُتَّقِينَ}.
- “ذلك”: This demonstrative pronoun is static and serves as the subject in grammatical terms, with the ‘lam’ indicating distance and ‘kaf’ for addressing.
- In the poem of Hafiz Ibrahim: “سال فيه النضارَ حتّى حسبنا ** أنّ ذاكَ النضارَ يجري نضارا”.
- “ذاك”: This is a static demonstrative, functioning as the accusative case direct object, with ‘kaf’ for addressing.
- As expressed by Abu Firas Al-Hamdani: “أمستْ بمدرجة الخطوب فما لها ** راعٍ هناك وما لها من والي”.
- “هناك”: This demonstrative pronoun is static and serves as an adverb of place, acting as the object of the prepositional phrase linked to the verb.
- From Hafiz Ibrahim, “كذاكَ الوداد المحض لا يرتجى له ** ثواب ولا يخشى عليه عقاب”.
- “كذلك”: The ‘kaf’ acts as a preposition, while the demonstrative itself remains static and functions within a grammatical construction.
- “حضر ذلك الرجل”.
- “ذلك”: This demonstrative remains static and acts as the subject of the verb.
- “قابلتُ تلك الفتاة”.
- “تلك”: This pronoun remains static, serving as the accusative direct object of the verb.
- “قرأتُ الدّرس تلك القراءة”.
- “تلك”: This pronoun is static and functions as the accusative adverbial noun in the construct.
Special Rules for Demonstrative Pronouns for Distant Reference
Demonstrative pronouns for distant reference, like all demonstrative pronouns, have specific rules governing their use:
- A demonstrative pronoun must be linked with ‘kaf’ to convey its meaning, as in: “ذاك، تلك، تانك، ذانك، أولئك، هناك”.
- All demonstrative pronouns are constructed based on the final vowel sound, and their use-driven placement defines their grammatical function. They can be based on the static form “ذا، تي، وهناك”، or an open form like “ثمَّ، وثمّةَ”.
- There are varying opinions concerning the representation of pronouns for dual references within sentences. Some claim they build on ‘alif’ in the nominative case, while others state they are inflected, with the markers being ‘alif’ for nominatives and ‘ya’ for others.
- Each demonstrative pronoun carries its unique semantic weight, including terms specifically intended for masculine or feminine entities, and terms used to denote groups as well as places.
- Demonstrative pronouns indicating locations (“هنا، ثَمَّ، ثَمّةَ”) are recognized as being in a static grammatical form.
- Connection of ‘lam’ denoting distance to a pronoun is restricted under certain circumstances, and should not be appended in dual pronouns, nor should it attach to plural forms like “أولاءِ”. Additionally, it is not applicable in instances where ‘ها’ is used for emphasis.
- When a definite noun follows a pronoun, it is treated as an alternative to the demonstrative as in “ذلك الرجل”. However, if a definite noun follows that is derived, it serves as an adjective within the phrase, as seen in “ذلك القاضي”.
Examples of Demonstrative Pronouns for Distant Reference
Below are various examples illustrating the use of demonstrative pronouns for distant reference:
- ذلك رجلٌ مؤدّبٌ. (That is a polite man.)
- تلك الفتاة جميلة. (That girl is beautiful.)
- ذانك طالبان مجتهدان. (Those are diligent students.)
- تانك وردتان جميلتان. (Those are beautiful roses.)
- في دمشق هنالك ولد أبي. (In Damascus, there is my father’s son.)
- أولئك الشباب هم أمل الأمة. (Those youths are the hope of the nation.)
Exercises on Demonstrative Pronouns for Distant Reference
Below are a series of exercises designed for practicing the use of demonstrative pronouns for distant reference:
Correct the Errors
The following sentences contain errors. Please correct them to ensure accuracy:
- Demonstrative pronouns for distance can appear without the ‘kaf’ connection.
- Each demonstrative pronoun for distant reference must include ‘lam’ indicating distance.
- “ذاك” (Dhāk) is used exclusively to denote a masculine animate reference.
- The ‘lam’ within the previous pronoun is an intrinsic part of the word, along with the ‘kaf.’
- “هناك” (Hunak) is a pronoun that signifies time.
Vowel Point the Underscored Words
In the sentences that follow, please provide the appropriate diacritical marks for the underlined words:
- رأيتُ تلك الفتاة. (I saw that girl.)
- أولائك الرجال يدافعون عن الوطن. (Those men are defending the homeland.)
- ذلك الحصان يركض مسرعًا. (That horse is running quickly.)
- درستُ دروسي تلك الدراسة. (I studied my lessons in that manner.)
- هناك في المدرسة بدأت مسيرتي التعليمية. (There at the school, I began my educational journey.)
- زرتُ تينك الأختين. (I visited those two sisters.)
Fill in the Blanks with Appropriate Words
Please fill in the following blanks with suitable demonstrative pronouns:
- ……. علمٌ نافع. (…… is a beneficial knowledge.)
- …….. تلميذات نشيطات. (…… are active students.)
- …….. مكان ولادتي. (…… is the place of my birth.)
- …….. طفلان مهذّبان. (…… are two polite children.)
- …….. طفلتان رقيقتان. (…… are two delicate girls.)
- …….. تلاميذٌ مجتهدون. (…… are diligent students.)
- …….. تلميذات مبدعات. (…… are creative students.)
In conclusion, demonstrative pronouns for distance must be connected with ‘kaf’ for addressing, and their meaning is determined by whether they indicate singular, dual, or plural forms, as well as by the gender and animate status of the noun referenced. All demonstrative pronouns are constructed with specific rules, with the exception of those indicating dual forms, which are subject to inflection based on their syntactic position, whether nominal, accusative, or genitive.