This groundbreaking study examines the historical development of the Semitic languages from the point of view of grammaticalization, the linguistic process whereby lexical items and constructions lose their lexical meaning and serve grammatical functions. The author first provides an introduction to this process, followed by a comprehensive overview - with abundant examples from ancient and modern languages - of how it is exemplified in Semitic. Three successive chapters are devoted to in-depth studies of specific cases of grammaticalization: the definite article in Central Semitic, direct object markers across Semitic, and present tense prefixes in modern Arabic and Aramaic dialects. Drawing on evidence from many non-Semitic languages, from recent developments in the field of historical linguistics, and from traditional comparative Semitics, this book represents a major contribution to the field of comparative Semitics.The work is intended for Semitists and linguists, but biblicists will also find this book valuable for the light it sheds on biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. The author shows himself to be remarkably proficient in both linguistics and lucid writing. Indeed, he writes in such a clear and informative manner and has such a good grasp of grammaticalization that a potentially complicated and boring topic is presented in a riveting and stimulating manner…Although Rubin quite rightly observes that ‘examples of grammaticalization are present in every grammar of Semitic,’ it is to his credit to have done such a fine job in presenting, labeling, and discussing some of them. He also quite rightly observes that such examples could ‘fill volumes.’ Thus none but the most highly trained Semitist/linguist should expect to make quick progress though his 154 pages. Rubin shifts constantly from ancient to modern and Semitic to non-Semitic in his efforts to demonstrate grammaticalization. There are fine points with which some scholars will undoubtedly disagree, but the overall quality of his research and writing in quest of demonstrating grammaticalization in Semitic languages cannot be denied.
