The Use of Diminutives in Family Names in the Al-Qassim "A morphological and semantic study"

Abstract

This research examines examples of personal names that have undergone diminutive modification, as found in the book Muʿjam Asar Buraydah (Dictionary of Buraydah Families) by Muhammad bin Nasser Al-Oboudi. It highlights the widespread use of diminutives and the variety of patterns employed, noting that the Najd region—specifically Al-Qassim—is particularly fond of using diminutives for proper names, animals, tools, and many of the things surrounding them. The study consists of two main sections: the first includes three parts focusing on standard diminutive patterns and the family names that follow them, analyzed both semantically and lexically. The second section includes two parts: the first covers family names formed through rhythmic diminutive forms (similar to affectionate shortening), and the second examines names ending with the suffix "-an" as a diminutive form. The research concludes with several findings, among which is that one of the primary purposes of using diminutives is to indicate smallness or belittlement, followed by endearment. It also reveals how the geographical and social envi-ronment is reflected in those family names, offering insight into the time periods in which these families lived.