A Contrastive Analysis of Derivational Prefixation of Verbs in Arabic and English
Dr. Abdalla Elkheir Elgobshawi

Abstract
This paper attempts a contrastive analysis of derivational prefixation of verbs in Arabic and English. It assumes a possibility of similar derivational mechanism applicable to some verbs in the two languages. The derivational systems of the two languages are at extremes, creating challenges to interested learners and researchers from both languages. The contrastive analysis method is adopted to carry out this study. A general contrast of the morphological system of the two language is provided focusing on the category of verbs in the two languages. The paper narrows its scope to one area derivational morphology, namely prefixation. A set of six prefixes from the two languages ( three from each) are used the examine the derivational processing of verbs from the two languages. These are the English prefixes; a-, en- and i and their Arabic counterparts humazat alqatae (ʔ-), in- and humazat wasal (i-) respectfully. The morphological properties of these prefixes and verbs have been contrasted to reveal and identify the areas of difference and similarity of the derivation system in the two languages. Some of these prefixes affixes are found have similar function and form and have the similar morphological behavior that might set them as identical cognates .

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