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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] Why Semitic languages had no written vowels?

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  • From: Trevor Peterson <abuian AT access4less.net>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Why Semitic languages had no written vowels?
  • Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 20:35:39 -0400

Vadim Cherny wrote:

Obviously, vowels already developed by the time of Ugarit, and likely
already in Sumer. What I suggest, is that original version of Semitic lacked
distinguishable vowels. This created the vowelless writing. Cuneiform
developed as more advanced writing system - already seemingly with different
vowels. By the time Biblical Hebrew emerged, vowels were long
differentiated, but the writing system preserved the earliest concept of
single-vowel language.

So you think the West Semitic script predates cuneiform?

Trevor Peterson
CUA/Semitics




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