Harvard Semitic Studies - 52: Semitic Noun Patterns

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This comprehensive study is the first complete examination of Semitic internal noun patterns since Jacob Barth's work over a century ago. It synthesizes earlier research by Semitists and linguists, presenting a diachronic-comparative analysis of internal noun patterns, organized systematically. The investigation highlights the unique role of these patterns in isolated nouns and includes a complete list of reconstructible isolated nouns. The study details how noun patterns contribute to the derivation of nouns from roots and nominal inflection, forming part of a reconstructed system. Central to the work are analyses of all individual reconstructible internal patterns and their Semitic reflexes, encompassing mono- and bisyllabics, as well as patterns with geminated or ungeminated consonants. The conclusions drawn address the structure of the Proto-Semitic pattern system, categorizing patterns as reconstructible or non-reconstructible, and exploring semantic groups and interrelationships among different patterns. Additionally, the study reveals how patterns merge and split over time, taking on varied roles in the attested languages and leading to the formation of new pattern systems.