Innovating postverbal negation in North Africa

Abstract The present study investigates the grammatical origin of postverbal negator ḇu in Rif Berber (Afroasiatic, Berber; North, Northeast, and Northwest Morocco) Moroccan Arabic Oujda Semitic; Northeast Morocco), only languages which it is commonly attested up till now. Based on new data obtained from recent fieldwork Morocco, will demonstrate that this most probably has been construed out an existential by system-internal grammaticalization. also provide evidence for quadruple negation marking Berber, relating to a reduplication -negator. Moreover, show how constantly innovates its cyclical system, which, case, different Jespersen Cycles Negative Existential Cycle are interlaced. Accordingly, prove innovation phenomenon induced contact with instantiated through processes pattern replication matter borrowing.