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--- In westasianconlangs@yahoogroups.com, "eldin_raigmore" <eldin_raigmore@...> wrote: > > --- In westasianconlangs@yahoogroups.com, Steg Belsky <draqonfayir@> > wrote: > > > > > > On Apr 13, 2007, at 5:57 PM, habarakhe4 wrote: > > > > > I finished reading "The Unfolding of Language". Why I'm posting here > > > is that it has a coherent explanation of a (the?) theory of the > > > development of the Semitic root, which seems so artificial. > > > > > > What is its explanation? > > > > > > -Stephen (Steg) > > > > I liked that explanation, too. (Although I don't share Theophilus's > feeling that the triconsonantal root system of Semitic verbs- > etc. "seems artificial".) > > But remember that Guy Deutscher said that explanation contained a lot > of guesswork; it is consistent with what is known, and employs > mechanisms similar to some that have been seen to operate in other > languages, and particularly in Semitic languages, in historical times. > So it has a chance of being right; but Prof. Deutscher wouldn't be > surprised if it weren't. > Perhaps I should say: it seemed artificial (obviously it wasn't), because I had no idea how it could arise.