[b-hebrew] theories and standards

Isaac Fried if at math.bu.edu
Mon May 18 12:28:52 EDT 2009


The bi-consonantal theory holds that many (all?) tri-consonantal  
Hebrew roots started as bi-consonantal, and then the stock was  
extended by the addition of a letter: PR-D, PR-Z, PR-S, PR-C etc.
So what? is B, say, a root in the English language?

Isaac Fried Boston University

On May 18, 2009, at 11:09 AM, James Read wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Quoting Isaac Fried <if at math.bu.edu>:
>
>>
>> It is based on the assumption (I believe commonly accepted) that  man
>> spoke as soon as he could.
>>
>> If you accept the bi-consonantal theory, then you need to explain   
>> what
>> is being  added to complete the root to tri-consonantal form. If   
>> this
>> addition is meaningful, then it is a one-consonant root.
>>
> What exactly is the bi-consonantal theory?
>
>> There is no denying that there are Hebrew words of a single-consonant
>> root, to wit: AB, BA, EM, EL, AT, AX. AG, GA, DA, ZA, RA, BB, GG, DD,
>> CC, NN, SS, LL, RR, XX.
>
> There are many single consonant words in English, to wit: in, on,  
> an, it, is, he, no.
>
> James Christian
>
>
>>
>> Isaac Fried Boston University
>>
>> On May 18, 2009, at 10:06 AM, James Read wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Quoting Isaac Fried <if at math.bu.edu>:
>>>
>>>> 1. ALEP-ox, BET-house, etc. is a (relatively) modern initiative for
>>>> the edification and entertainment of children.
>>>
>>> This is a genuine possibility. We still do that kind of thing to   
>>> this day.
>>>
>>>
>>>> 2. Language preceded the alphabet by about 28,000 years.
>>>>
>>>
>>> This, however, has to be the most unsubstantiated comment of  
>>> the   century. All we know about language is that its written  
>>> form   appeared simultaneously in different parts of the world  
>>> near large   rivers, period. Anything beyond that is complete and  
>>> total   speculation based on...nothing.
>>>
>>> James Christian
>>>
>>>
>>>> Isaac Fried Boston University
>>>>
>>>> On May 18, 2009, at 9:21 AM, James Read wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Yes, I know. We've done this before. You postulate that the      
>>>>> consonants have a meaning and that roots are composites of   
>>>>> these    basic meanings.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think your theory would have more credence if the alphabet    
>>>>> were   based on them rather than on a oxes head, a house etc. etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> James Christian
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Quoting Isaac Fried <if at math.bu.edu>:
>>>>>
>>>>>> It was in my opinion uni-consonantal.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Isaac Fried, Boston University
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
>>> Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
> -- 
> The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
> Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
>
>



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