Arabic “Hatt”: An Analytical and Phonological Study

Abstract

From the respect for the phonology aspects, particularly the articulation of phonemes. The study aims to determine the concept of “Hatt” as a phonetic term. This paper starts by illustrating the definition of the term “Hatt” then proceeds to introduce the Arabic alphabets called “Hatt”. After examining “Hatt” places in general, andtheir manner of articulation in particular, the views of the scholars varied in term of concerning the letters which one is consided as “Hatt”. Some of scholars have pointed out that the “Hatt” sound is Al-Hamza, while some pointed out Al-Taa as to be “Hatt” sound, and others identified Al-Kaf is the “Hatt” sound. However, the study adopts the descriptive method through induction of the attitudes of both old and recent scholars who contributed to determine the concept of “Hatt” and tospecify the alphabets, which is to be consider as one of “Hatt”. Thus, the study discusses contradict opinions to conclude with certain findings, which are the following: “Hatt” is a process of compressing, destroying, and weakening of the phoneme when it is utters. Hamza and “H” are the “Hatt” phonemes, due to their characteristics that consists: vibration, resonance, and clear audible place of articulation.