The West Semitic languages are a proposed major sub-grouping of ancient Semitic languages. The term was first coined in 1883 by Fritz Hommel.[1][2][3]
West Semitic | |
---|---|
Geographic distribution | Middle East |
Linguistic classification | Afro-Asiatic
|
Subdivisions | |
Glottolog | west2786 |
The grouping[4] supported by Semiticists like Robert Hetzron and John Huehnergard divides the Semitic language family into two branches: Eastern and Western.[5]
The West Semitic languages consist of the clearly defined sub-groups: Modern South Arabian, Old South Arabian, Ethiopic, Arabic, and Northwest Semitic (this including Hebrew, Aramaic, and the extinct Amorite and Ugaritic languages).[5]
The East Semitic languages, meanwhile, consist of the extinct Eblaite and Akkadian languages.[6]
Ethiopic and South Arabian show particular common features, and are often grouped together as South Semitic.[5] 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.[7] However, Hetzron and Huehnergard connect it more closely with the Northwest Semitic languages, to form Central Semitic.[5] 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
Sources
- Alice Faber, "Genetic Subgrouping of the Semitic Languages", in Hetzron, ed., 2013, The Semitic Languages, Routledge.
External links
- Media related to West Semitic languages at Wikimedia Commons