Fear-related Words in Mehri Language and their Connection to Standard Arabic: A Comparative Lexical Study

Abstract

 This study examines lexical items denoting fear in the Mehri language and their relationship with Standard Arabic through comparative semantics. Sixteen fear-related Mehri lexemes, compiled from oral and written sources, were classified into three categories: complete formal and semantic congruence with Arabic (ʔaṣṣa, xawafa, faraḳa, fazaʕa); semantic proximity without formal correspondence (baṭara, baṭala, rakka, ṭajaʃa, fagaʕa, naṭaṭa, haraga); and no correspondence in either form or meaning (bahaṣa, ṭajaḳa, faðaka, faðara, naha ́ ṣá ). Analysis reveals several key findings: certain roots show contextual specialization for fear of predatory animals or elevated terrain; distributional patterns vary across Mehri regions; the lexemes form a semantic continuum from
mild apprehension to panic and terror; some items derive verbs restricted to past or present tense while excluding future or imperative forms; and certain roots yield only nominal derivatives. These findings illuminate the semantic structure of fear terminology in Mehri and its broader relationship with Standard Arabic.