Semitic language
Semitic Language
Semitic Language (pronunciation: /sɪˈmɪtɪk/) is a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family that includes several languages native to the Middle East and North Africa. The term "Semitic" is derived from Shem, one of the three sons of Noah in the Bible, and is used to refer to the descendants of Shem, who are believed to be the original speakers of these languages.
Etymology
The term "Semitic" is derived from the Biblical figure Shem, one of the three sons of Noah. The Book of Genesis describes the descendants of Shem as including the Hebrews, Aramaic speakers, and several other peoples, many of whom were speakers of languages now classified as Semitic.
Languages
The most widely spoken Semitic languages today are Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya, and Hebrew. Other Semitic languages include Aramaic, Phoenician, and Akkadian, among others. These languages have a shared history, with many common linguistic features and vocabulary.
Related Terms
- Afro-Asiatic language: The larger language family to which Semitic languages belong.
- Proto-Semitic language: The hypothetical reconstructed ancestral language of the Semitic languages.
- Semitic people: The ethnic groups who speak or historically spoke Semitic languages.
- Semitic root: The triliteral (three-letter) root system that is a characteristic feature of Semitic languages.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Semitic language
- Wikipedia's article - Semitic language
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Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski