Abstract
This dissertation serves as a theoretical background for creating a valency dictionary of verbs in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) which is primarily in the form of an electronic database. The Functional Generative Description is used as a theoretical framework for the description of verbal valency in Arabic.
Chapter 1 introduces the verbal system of MSA with an emphasis on semantic relations within the system of verbal morpho- semantic patterns (verbal stems). Chapter 2 outlines the current research status of valency in Arabic including various research projects focused on creating electronic databases for Arabic verbs.
Chapter 3 presents an overview of a valency theory developed within the Funtional Generative Description and it also provides a brief description of two broad coverage valency dictionaries for the Czech language - VALLEX and PDT-Vallex. Chapter 4, the core of the study, analyses semantics and the surface realization of different types of valency complemens in MSA, i.e. actants, quasi-valency and free (adverbial) complements.
The final chapter, Chapter 5, describes the methodology and the structure of the valency dictionary the printed version of which is attached to the thesis.