Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] the value of loanwords was qohelet

b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Biblical Hebrew Forum

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>
  • To: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] the value of loanwords was qohelet
  • Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:09:24 +1000

James,

English is today's primary international language, proliferated through the
use of modern mass media and the internet. English lingo has just about
entered every language as a result. This modern phenomenon has absolutely no
bearing on the question of Persian loanwords in Hebrew. The contexts are so
vastly different that the comparison you are trying to draw is extremely far
fetched.

But, let's work with your analogy anyway. Since when has English entered the
lingo of Ukrainian and Italian? Was it there 300 years ago? 200 years? 100
years? I think you could argue that the influence has largely come in the
last generation or so. You can use historical detail to figure this out. Same
with Persian loanwords in Hebrew. When are they likely to have entered?
Before there were any substantial contacts between Hebrew-speakers and
Persians, or after? It's not a question of 'conquest', but of
contact/interaction.

So, yes, the presence of Persian loanwords in Hebrew is significant.


Regards,

GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page