Proto-Semitic Language and Culture

"The Appendix of Semitic Roots (Appendix II) that follows this essay is designed to allow the reader to trace English words derived from Semitic languages back to their fundamental components in Proto-Semitic, the parent language of all ancient and modern Semitic languages. This introduction to the Appendix provides some basic information about the structure and grammar of Semitic languages as an aid to understanding the etymologies of these words. In the text below, terms in boldface are Semitic roots that appear as entries in Appendix II. Words in small capitals are Modern English derivatives of Semitic roots. An asterisk (*) is used to signal a word or form that is not preserved in any written document but that can be reconstructed on the basis of other evidence."