The West Semitic languages are a proposed major sub-grouping of Semitic languages. The term was first coined in 1883 by Fritz Hommel.
| West Semitic | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | Middle East |
| Linguistic classification | Afro-Asiatic
|
| Subdivisions |
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
| Glottolog | west2786 |
The grouping supported by Semiticists like Robert Hetzron and John Huehnergard divides the Semitic language family into two branches: Eastern and Western.
The West Semitic languages consist of the clearly defined sub-groups: Modern South Arabian, Old South Arabian, Ethiopic, Arabic (including Maltese), and Northwest Semitic (this including Hebrew, Aramaic, and the extinct Amorite and Ugaritic languages).
The East Semitic languages, meanwhile, consist of the extinct Eblaite and Akkadian languages.
Ethiopic and South Arabian show particular common features, and are often grouped together as South Semitic. The proper classification of Arabic with respect to other Semitic languages is debated.[citation needed] In older classifications, it is grouped with the South Semitic languages. However, Hetzron and Huehnergard connect it more closely with the Northwest Semitic languages, to form Central Semitic. Some Semiticists continue to argue for the older classification, based on the distinctive feature of broken plurals. Some linguists also argue that Eteocypriot was a Northwest Semitic language spoken in ancient Cyprus.[citation needed]
References
- The Semitic Languages: An International Handbook, Chapter V, page 425
- Aaron D. Rubin (2008). "The subgrouping of the Semitic languages". Language and Linguistics Compass. 2 (1). Blackwell Publishing Ltd: 61–84. doi:10.1111/j.1749-818x.2007.00044.x.
P. Haupt (1878) first recognized that the qatala past tense found in West Semitic was an innovation, and that the Akkadian prefixed past tense must be archaic. It was F. Hommel, however, who recognized the implications of this for the subgrouping of Semitic; cf. Hommel(1883: 63, 442; 1892: 92–97; 1926: 75–82).
- Fritz Hommel, Die semitischen Volker und Sprachen als erster Versuch einer Encyclopadie der semitischen Sprach- und Alterthums-Wissenschaft, (1883)
- Hoftijzer, Jacob; Kooij, Gerrit Van der (January 1991). The Balaam Text from Deir ʻAlla Re-evaluated: Proceedings of the International Symposium Held at Leiden, 21–24 August 1989. BRILL. ISBN 9004093176.
- Huehnergard, John; Pat-El, Na’ama (2013-10-08). The Semitic Languages. Routledge. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-136-11580-6.
- Weninger, Stefan (2011-12-23). The Semitic Languages: An International Handbook. Walter de Gruyter. p. 2. ISBN 978-3-11-025158-6.
- Huehnergard, John; Pat-El, Na’ama (2013-10-08). The Semitic Languages. Routledge. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-136-11580-6.
Sources
- Faber, Alice (2013) [2006]. "Genetic Subgrouping of the Semitic Languages". In Hetzron, Robert (ed.). The Semitic languages. Routledge language family descriptions. London: Routledge. pp. 3–15. ISBN 978-0-415-41266-7.
External links
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The West Semitic languages are a proposed major sub grouping of Semitic languages The term was first coined in 1883 by Fritz Hommel West SemiticGeographic distributionMiddle EastLinguistic classificationAfro AsiaticSemiticWest SemiticSubdivisionsCentral Semitic South SemiticLanguage codesISO 639 3 Glottologwest2786 The grouping supported by Semiticists like Robert Hetzron and John Huehnergard divides the Semitic language family into two branches Eastern and Western The West Semitic languages consist of the clearly defined sub groups Modern South Arabian Old South Arabian Ethiopic Arabic including Maltese and Northwest Semitic this including Hebrew Aramaic and the extinct Amorite and Ugaritic languages The East Semitic languages meanwhile consist of the extinct Eblaite and Akkadian languages Ethiopic and South Arabian show particular common features and are often grouped together as South Semitic The proper classification of Arabic with respect to other Semitic languages is debated citation needed In older classifications it is grouped with the South Semitic languages However Hetzron and Huehnergard connect it more closely with the Northwest Semitic languages to form Central Semitic Some Semiticists continue to argue for the older classification based on the distinctive feature of broken plurals Some linguists also argue that Eteocypriot was a Northwest Semitic language spoken in ancient Cyprus citation needed ReferencesThe Semitic Languages An International Handbook Chapter V page 425 Aaron D Rubin 2008 The subgrouping of the Semitic languages Language and Linguistics Compass 2 1 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 61 84 doi 10 1111 j 1749 818x 2007 00044 x P Haupt 1878 first recognized that the qatala past tense found in West Semitic was an innovation and that the Akkadian prefixed past tense must be archaic It was F Hommel however who recognized the implications of this for the subgrouping of Semitic cf Hommel 1883 63 442 1892 92 97 1926 75 82 Fritz Hommel Die semitischen Volker und Sprachen als erster Versuch einer Encyclopadie der semitischen Sprach und Alterthums Wissenschaft 1883 Hoftijzer Jacob Kooij Gerrit Van der January 1991 The Balaam Text from Deir ʻAlla Re evaluated Proceedings of the International Symposium Held at Leiden 21 24 August 1989 BRILL ISBN 9004093176 Huehnergard John Pat El Na ama 2013 10 08 The Semitic Languages Routledge p 6 ISBN 978 1 136 11580 6 Weninger Stefan 2011 12 23 The Semitic Languages An International Handbook Walter de Gruyter p 2 ISBN 978 3 11 025158 6 Huehnergard John Pat El Na ama 2013 10 08 The Semitic Languages Routledge p 5 ISBN 978 1 136 11580 6 SourcesFaber Alice 2013 2006 Genetic Subgrouping of the Semitic Languages In Hetzron Robert ed The Semitic languages Routledge language family descriptions London Routledge pp 3 15 ISBN 978 0 415 41266 7 External linksMedia related to West Semitic languages at Wikimedia Commons This Semitic languages related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte
