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b-hebrew - RE: MiQ:TaL formative

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  • From: "Jason A. Hare" <language_lover64801 AT yahoo.com>
  • To: b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: RE: MiQ:TaL formative
  • Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 02:00:24 -0500


So, I understand the significance of the formation. ;-)

I need now only to document it. I have received a resoundingly wonderful
response to my question. Thanks to all who responded!

Shalom,
Jason

> These noun forms are closely analogous to the common Arabic MAQTAL
> pattern which is also used for places; the change of the first consonant
> from A to I is a regular (and quite late, post-LXX) shift in Hebrew. So
> any derivation from MIY or MIN- must be very ancient, back in
> proto-Semitic times or earlier, which really takes us into the realm of
> pointless speculation. As the M- preformative is regularly used for
> participles in other conjugations in both Arabic and Hebrew, it seems
> more likely that this form was originally a participle whose meaning
> became frozen.
>
> Peter Kirk




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