Biblical Hebrew Forum

[James Read <J.Read-2 AT sms.ed.ac.uk>]

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.