issues of linguistics - Tbilisi State University

Marina Meparishvili
Modified Systems of Proto-Semitic Phonemes in Different Semitic Languages
Summary
During the last period, in Semitic comparative linguistics the increase of interest in the
studies concerning the reconstruction of phonological systems of parent-language, as well
as of its different branches and groups, is observed. Attention is also paid to their
relationship from the viewpoint of diachronic linguistics. The article also discusses the
transformations of different Proto-Semitic phonemes, series and subsystems in various
languages and branches. Some phonemes and series are stable and unchanged, while others
are strongly modified.
While comparing various branches and groups of Semitic languages with the Proto-Semitic
it should be noted that series, subsystems and classes regarded in the article might be united
in three groups: 1. the first group consists of unchanged, unmarked series of semitic
phonemes preserved in various languages and branches such as liquids, three-member
dental series in plosives and simple alveolar sibilants in fricatives; 2. the second group
consists of the ones which are modified partly as approximants, labial and velar plosives,
pharingeal fricatives, etc. 3. the third group consists of strongly transformed ones; the
most modified are the series of lateral and interdental sibilants in the subsystem of
sibilants; semitic vowels could also be regarded in this group.
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