semitiska

Semitic is a branch of the Afroasiatic language family that includes languages spoken across the Near East, parts of Africa, and in communities around the world. The term Semitic derives from Shem, a figure in the Bible, and was adopted by linguists in the 18th–20th centuries to classify related languages. In Swedish, the corresponding adjective is semitiska.

Classification and examples: The family includes ancient languages such as Akkadian, Eblaite, and Phoenician, as well as modern languages like Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, Amharic, and Tigrinya. Semitic languages are often grouped into Northwest (Northern) and Southern branches, with Central and South Semitic varieties forming a major subgroup often referred to as Ethio‑Semitic in Africa. Notable branches include Northwest Semitic (Hebrew, Aramaic, Phoenician) and Central/East Arabic varieties, though exact groupings vary among scholars.

Linguistic features: Semitic languages typically use nonconcatenative morphology built on triliteral roots (three consonants) combined with vowel patterns and affixes. They commonly feature emphatic consonants, gutturals, and a rich system of verb templates. Writing systems are often abjad-based or consonant-centered scripts, such as Phoenician, Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, and Ge’ez.

History and usage: Semitic languages originated in parts of the Levant and spread later to the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and beyond. They have played central roles in religious, legal, and cultural traditions of the region. Today, Semitic languages are spoken by hundreds of millions of people and remain important for historical linguistics, philology, and contemporary communication.