The Vocabulary of the Earth: A Semantic and Lexicographic Study in the Light of Semitic Languages

Abstract

This paper examines the vocabulary of the earth in Arabic. It compares these words to their counterparts in other Semitic languages, with the exception of some differences in roots and meanings. This is natural because some sounds have changed over time, languages have diverged, and environments have changed. Some words have undergone sound changes, while others have been lost and replaced in other languages.The paper finds that these words agree in their general meaning, which is the meaning of "earth". They also agree in their specific meanings, such as "barren land", "desert", "arable land", "sandy land", "lowland", and "soft land". The paper then traces the history of these words according to the development of the languages, and arranges them alphabetically. The paper concludes with a summary of the main findings.