Talk:West Semitic languages
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is anyone on here familiar with a reconstructed, hypothetical proto-west semitic language? Gringo300 13:24, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
- The reconstruction of this early stage of Semitic language development is not clear, and there is insufficient agreement to build a detailed sketch of the language. This stage floats somewhere between the more generalised proto-Semitic and the more specific reconstructions of smaller language groups. For some, West Semitic is proto-Semitic with Akkadian tendencies removed or reduced; for others, it is a rough mixture of the smaller, constituent proto-languages. — Gareth Hughes 16:42, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
I want ask, if West Semitic languages and Central Semitic languages are the same (or they contain the same languages). Thanks. --UP3 14:59, 25 October 2006 (UTC)
- i'm kind of confused on that subject myself... Gringo300 22:31, 25 October 2006 (UTC)
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- West Semitic refers to the major of the two main subdivisions of Semitic languages. Akkadian (and Eblaite) are considered different enough to be classed as East Semitic (this group is extinct). The remainder of Semitic languages are classed as West Semitic. The term Central Semitic is a less-accepted term an generally refers to the NW Semitic languages (Canaanite, Aramaic and Ugaritic) grouped with the Arabic language. The difficulty is with Arabic, which seems to have some links with South Semitic languages and some with NW Semitic. Thus, West Semitic is divided into NW Semitic and South Semitic with Arabic. Central Semitic is then posited as a grouping of NW Semitic and Arabic. However, different authors might use the terms slightly differently, but this is a good general agreement of how these terms are used. — Gareth Hughes 11:41, 26 October 2006 (UTC)
