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Document Details : Title: Reflections on the Classification of the Semitic Languages Author(s): GAI, Amikam Journal: Orbis Volume: 37 Date: 1994 Pages: 135-144 DOI: 10.2143/ORB.37.0.2012770 Abstract : The conventional subgrouping of the Semitic languages is well-known: (North-)East, North-West and South(-West) groups. It is very difficult, however, to find a work providing justification for that division, possibly because it belongs to the basic knowledge shared by every Semitic linguist, possibly for deeper reasons. This division intends to be both geographical and genealogical. But these two kinds of division should be kept apart, as they answer different questions: one seeks to depict stages of historical divergencies while the task of the other is to demarcate among languages on the basis of a given situation. Let us consider these two kinds of divisions. |
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