Middle Semitic

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Writing System: w:Syriac alphabet
Population: 290 million
Genders: 2
Alignment: Nominative-Accusative
Word-order: SVO
Cases: 0
Typology: Fusional
Languages: w:Maghrebi Arabic, w:Egyptian Arabic, w:Modern Hebrew, w:Neo-Aramaic languages
Semitic Flag.png

Anthropology

Jews, Muslims, and Christians get an equal vote, though most aspects are created logically, and not derivationally. Whenever possible, the many dialects of Arabic are consulted, as well as modern Israeli.

Phonology

22 consonant, 5 vowels. The sounds, n IPA, with spirantization listed as allophones: a, b~β, d~ð, e, g~ɣ, h, ħ, i, j, k~x, l, m, n, o, p~ɸ, q, r, s, s', ʃ, t, t', u, w, z, ʔ, ʕ

Orthography

There is not an exact middle between all the languages. A compromise position is needed at every turn. Neo-Aramaic is the best "middle ground". (RTL) ʾalap, bet, gamal, dalat, he, wo, zen, ḥe, ṭet, yod, kap, lamad, mim, nun, samkat, ʿe, pe, ṣade, qop, reš, šin, to.

Morphophonology

Pronouns comes in full and cliticized forms. Verbs conjugate for person, number, gender, mood, voice, and stem. The dual is only used in certain cases. Adjectives inflect for number, state, and gender.

Morphosyntax

Word-order is SVO and without case, this is rather strictly enforced. Pro-drop is common due to verbal inflection.

Lexicography

For a comparative Swadesh list see Middle Semitic/Swadesh