Language and Nature in Dhofar

This paper addresses the relationship between language and nature in Dhofar. We begin by considering how erosion of the environment and the relationship people have with the environment can precipitate language loss. We consider how the relationship between language and nature is expressed, referring to transcribed oral texts to illustrate points and focussing on spatial and temporal reference terms, and discuss how decoupling of the human-nature relationship contributes to language attrition. We then examine figurative language and nature in the region; in section 3, we discuss grammaticalisation of Mehri saff, Sheret sef to the mirative particle saf 'it transpired that' in Mehri, sef in Sheret.