Biblical Hebrew Forum

[<cmeadows3 AT verizon.net>]

Joel,

>The almost universal observation that ancient languages had fewer
>irregularities that modern ones do (Classical Latin vs. Italian,
>Biblical Hebrew vs. Modern Hebrew, Classical Greek vs. Modern Greek,
>etc.) probably simply refelct our poorer knowledge of the ancient
>languages compared to the modern ones.
>

You make a great point here.  I have always wondered why this seems to be the 
case.  Could it have something to do with the fact that the written specimens 
we have correspond more to "formal language" - which would have selectively 
reflected the use of language by those who actually could read and write?