The Phonological, Morphological, and Semantic Phenomena in the Alif Chapter of the Common Semitic Lexicon: An Approach in Light of Historical Comparative Linguistics
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study examines the phonetic, morphological, and semantic phenomena in the “Alif” section of the Common Semitic Lexicon within a comparative linguistic framework. It aims to identify the governing laws of linguistic change and to demonstrate the systematic nature of phonetic processes such as substitution, assimilation, and vowel modification, as well as the role of geographical and orthographic factors in shaping these changes. The study adopts a descriptive analytical and comparative methodology, analyzing lexical data across Semitic languages including Arabic, Akkadian, Aramaic, Hebrew, and Canaanite. It also explores key semantic phenomena such as polysemy, homonymy, and semantic change. The findings reveal that phonetic changes in Semitic languages are highly systematic rather than random, and that Arabic preserves several original Proto-Semitic sounds, while other languages tend to restructure them within their phonological systems. Furthermore, the semantic analysis highlights the dynamic nature of meaning evolution and confirms the richness of the Semitic lexicon as a valuable source for understanding historical linguistics.
DOI: 10.47017/35.1.8
Author: Anas Mahafzah
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7221738165