Biblical Hebrew Forum

[James Christian <jc.bhebrew AT googlemail.com>]

Barry. We've said this so many times before and it looks like we will have
to say it again. We are not interested in the opinions of 'experts'. If we
were interested only in the opinions of 'experts' we would all still believe
the earth was flat and the sun revolves around it along with the stars and
the rest of the universe.

Those of us who actually contribute to discussions and question the received
wisdom are interested in data. I'll say that again for emphasis. We are
interested in data. i.e. experts x, y and z say that Akkadian phonemics was
such and such and therefore I insist that the conclusions be in line with
this assumption. So what? Where is the data? If this is the foundation you
lie prove that it is stable. If you cannot it is because you have done
nothing more to prove is to yourself than 'experts x, y and z say it is so
it must be'.

If this is your attitude and approach to objective study then why did you
bother studying classics? Just read a translation that the 'experts' made
for you.

James Christian

2010/1/24 Barry <nebarry AT verizon.net>

>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "James Christian" <jc.bhebrew AT googlemail.com>
> Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 9:09 AM
> To: "Barry" <nebarry AT verizon.net>
> Cc: <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Language modelling
>
> > why don't you contribute to discussions? That's what we do here! We
> > discuss
> > things! It's not a classroom with a single teacher with authority to
> > dictate
> > what the students must learn. It's a place where we discuss things. If
> you
> > don't like the direction discussions take. Then make an effort to direct
> > discussions in the direction you would prefer. The amount of effort you
> > have
> > put into the direction of the discussions is indicative of the amount of
> > effect you have had in steering that direction. That is to say - none.
>
> My reading proficiency in Hebrew and Aramaic is pretty good.  My knowledge
> of historical linguistics for Semitic languages is minimal, to say the
> least, and I have never
> studied cognate languages such as Ugaritic or Akkadian.  However, I have
> studied sufficiently for classical languages (by training I'm a classicist)
> that I can recognize the fact that you are whistling in the outer darkness
> somewhere left of Pluto in the Oort cloud.
>
> You really need to listen to people who have studied these languages to a
> much higher level than either you or I.  Do you think that none of them
> have
> studied comparative historical Semitic linguistics?
>
> N.E. Barry Hofstetter
> Classics Instructor, The American Academy
> http://www.theamericanacademy.net/
> Mentor, The North American Reformed Seminary
> http://tnars.net
>
> And me:
>
> http://mysite.verizon.net/nebarry
> http://my.opera.com/barryhofstetter/blog
>
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