Resources for Hebrew Morphology

Classical Hebrew morphology and syntax, aspect, linguistics, discourse analysis, and related topics
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Jemoh66
Posts: 307
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 11:03 pm

Re: Resources for Hebrew Morphology

Post by Jemoh66 »

Isaac Fried wrote:Swahili kata, to cut; katakata, to slice, appears to me related to the post-biblical Hebrew קטע Arabic قطع 'slice'. From it קיטע KIYTEA, 'amputee'.

Isaac Fried, Boston University


Indeed, it could be related. In fact nearly half the vocabulary of Swahili is from Arabic, as it was used by the Arab traders for centuries as a trade language. Swahili also contains Indian and Persian imports. However, kata is probably not a borrowed word, since it is a simple primitive action. Kata, like Eng. cut, seems to be a universal word. Note it contains two of the three consonants that make up כָּרַת. Luyia (Western Kenya) is part of the oldest branch of Bantu languages. Its "cut" word has retained the three consonants, CHiTuLa, cut off. It has undergone metathesis (M132), africation (K-CH), and a liquid shift (R-L).

note: katakata can also mean dice, not just slice.

Jonathan E Mohler
Springfield, MO
Jonathan E Mohler
Studying for a MA in Intercultural Studies
Baptist Bible Theological Seminary
Isaac Fried
Posts: 1783
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 8:32 pm

Re: Resources for Hebrew Morphology

Post by Isaac Fried »

if CHiTuLa is not from קטל QATAL, then it is possibly from the family קטר, קצר QATAR, QACAR.
the root כרת is a member of the family
הרסחרד, חרז, חרט, חרס
חרץ, חרש, חרת
כרס, כרש, כרת
קרס, קרץ, קרש


Isaac Fried, Boston University
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