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The '''Semitic languages''' are a language family. The main and most well known Semitic languages are [[Hebrew]], [[Aramaic]] ([[Syriac]]), [[Arabic]], and [[Amharic]]. But modern versions of dialects of some of these languages show intermingling with and influence by some [[Indo-European language]]s.  

The '''Semitic languages''' are a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. The main and most well known Semitic languages are [[Hebrew]], [[Aramaic]] ([[Syriac]]), [[Arabic]], and [[Amharic]]. But modern versions of dialects of some of these languages show intermingling with and influence by some [[Indo-European language]]s.  

Semitic languages are "root" languages -  with basic meanings of words derived from the consonants. This is different than English and other Indo-Eurpean languages where the vowels have equal weight as the consonants. Thus, in Hebrew, the consonants KTB (or V) have something to do with "writing". From this basic root, there is derived KoTeV=writing or author, KaTTav= reporter, KaTuV=written, K'TuVim= Scriptures, KaTaVti= I wrote, eK(kh)ToV=I will write, K'ToVet=inscription or address, and so on. This "root" aspect of Hebrew is common to all Semitic languages. Thus, in Arabic, KTB appears in KaTaBa= "he wrote", maKTuB= "letter", KaaTiB= author, KuTiBat=it (fem.) was written, etc. In Aramaic, KTB appears in KeTaV= "he wrote", KaTVat= "she wrote", KeTuBa= "marriage contract", KeTiVat= was written (feminine), KaaTiV= writing. (In Aramaic the definite article for "the" is A (Aleph) added at the end of a noun rather than at the front. Thus the Hebrew "HaMeLeKH"= the King, becomes in Aramaic MaLKA)  

Semitic languages are "root" languages -  with basic meanings of words derived from the consonants. This is different than English and other Indo-Eurpean languages where the vowels have equal weight as the consonants. Thus, in Hebrew, the consonants KTB (or V) have something to do with "writing". From this basic root, there is derived KoTeV=writing or author, KaTTav= reporter, KaTuV=written, K'TuVim= Scriptures, KaTaVti= I wrote, eK(kh)ToV=I will write, K'ToVet=inscription or address, and so on. This "root" aspect of Hebrew is common to all Semitic languages. Thus, in Arabic, KTB appears in KaTaBa= "he wrote", maKTuB= "letter", KaaTiB= author, KuTiBat=it (fem.) was written, etc. In Aramaic, KTB appears in KeTaV= "he wrote", KaTVat= "she wrote", KeTuBa= "marriage contract", KeTiVat= was written (feminine), KaaTiV= writing. (In Aramaic the definite article for "the" is A (Aleph) added at the end of a noun rather than at the front. Thus the Hebrew "HaMeLeKH"= the King, becomes in Aramaic MaLKA)  

Arabic (classical), as mentioned above does have case endings and so is an example of the ''mixing'' of root language consonental-determinative-for-meaning language, and more of a freedom in word order (syntax)on the "Indo-European" style Example: "Beit" means house. "Beitu"- house is nominative - subject of sentencs. "Beiti" is to or for a house, or indirect object, and "Beita" (or Beitan) is accusative or the direct object of the sentence.  "Ana mawjuud filbeit'''i''' ilkabir'''i'''" - I am in the big house (in the house, the big one) ''indirect'' object. Ana ar'a' albeit'''a''' alkabir'''a''' I see the big house (the house, the big one)- ''direct'' object. The precision that case endings give allow flexibility with full comprehension and style no matter the positioning of the words - The big house I see. I see the big house. I, the house, the big one, see.  Yet, as in Hebrew and Aramaic, the particular meaning of the words is determined by its consonental roots, rather than the vowels.

Arabic (classical), as mentioned above does have case endings and so is an example of the ''mixing'' of root language consonental-determinative-for-meaning language, and more of a freedom in word order (syntax)on the "Indo-European" style Example: "Beit" means house. "Beitu"- house is nominative - subject of sentencs. "Beiti" is to or for a house, or indirect object, and "Beita" (or Beitan) is accusative or the direct object of the sentence.  "Ana mawjuud filbeit'''i''' ilkabir'''i'''" - I am in the big house (in the house, the big one) ''indirect'' object. Ana ar'a' albeit'''a''' alkabir'''a''' I see the big house (the house, the big one)- ''direct'' object. The precision that case endings give allow flexibility with full comprehension and style no matter the positioning of the words - The big house I see. I see the big house. I, the house, the big one, see.  Yet, as in Hebrew and Aramaic, the particular meaning of the words is determined by its consonental roots, rather than the vowels.

==See Also==

==See Also==