>A second feature. I have heard anecdotally, that it is much easier to
learn a second Semitic tongue once you know one than is the case with IE.
To my untrained ear, Hebrew and Arabic sound remarkably alike. Shalom, or
should I say Salaam to you all. John
There is a theory, not unlikely IMO, based on remarkable resemblances
between biblical names & W.Arabian geographical names, that the Jews
originally lived in western Arabia, were deported to Assyria & Babylonia
(8th-6th cent.BC), not from Israel but from W.Arabia, and later "came back",
not to W.Arabia but to Israel. If that is true, Hebrew & Arabic split
ca.2600 years ago. Kamal Salibi1985 "Het ware land van Abraham" Elsevier
Netherlands (I don't know the origin German title, Rowohlt Verlag, 1985).
Marc Verhaegen
http://www.onelist.com/community/AAT
http://www.infres.enst.fr/confs/evolang/actes/_actes74.html