Development of Tense and Aspect in Semitic Languages (Akkadian, Aramaic, Hebrew, Arabic).
What is it about?
The author applies the comparative method for the reconstruction of earlier verbal systems (tense, aspect, voice) in the Afro-Asiatic family of languages (Semitic, Berber, Cushitic, Old Egyptian and Chadic). Moving back in time from the documented verbal systems of Semitic, Berber and Old Cushitic the state of affairs during the common stage of Proto-Semito-Berbero-Cushitic is reconstructed. With the addition of Old Egyptian and Chadic data important conclusions regarding the elusive Proto-Afro-Asiatic are reached. The later development of tense and aspect in Modern Aramaic and Arabic vernacular languagesSemitic languages from their earlier stages is outlined.
Why is it important?
There are three important aims of this monograph: (i) The viability of the comparative method for the reconstruction of the morpho-syntactic systems of tense and aspect (so far the comparative method has been predominantly used in the area of phonology) (ii) Moving from the earlier stages of individual languages towards their later stages (Middle and Early Modern) it is important to ascertain the continuity of the aspectual categories realized increasingly by analytic constructions (iii) Unlike in various 'traditional' presentation the morpho-syntactic paradigms are presented in systemic terms - aspectual categories (Imperfective, Perfective and Perfect) are arranged horizonatlly and other verbal categories (tense and mood) are arranged vertically.