Canaanite language - Definition and Overview

The Canaanite languages are a subfamily of the Semitic languages, spoken by the ancient Canaanite peoples. Canaanite languages were also spoken in ancient times by the self-identified Hebrews who are believed to have immigrated to the Canaan region from the Chaldees. Of these, the most well-preserved is Biblical Hebrew, and the only Canaanite language spoken as a vernacular in modern times is Israeli Hebrew. See also Hebrew languages. Additionally, the Phoenician ports and mariners spoke Canaanite languages, and the language of their colony Carthage evolved into the Punic language.

Note that the term "Canaan" is used here in a geographical sense and not an ethnic one. In ancient times, Canaanite was spoken as a dialectual continuum of a variety of peoples who were regarded as ethnically and culturally distinct.

• Ammonite language -- extinct
• Moabite language -- extinct
• Edomite language -- extinct
• Biblical Hebrew language -- live descendants
• Phoenician languages -- extinct
  • Punic language -- extinct

The main sources for study of Canaanite languages are the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), and inscriptions such as:

• in the Moabite language: Mesha Stele, El-Kerak Stela
• in the Biblical Hebrew language: Gezer Calendar
• in the Phoenician languages: Ahiram inscription,sarcophagus of Eshmunazar[1] (http://www.proel.org/alfabetos/fenicio19.gif), Kilamuwa inscription, the Byblos inscription
• in later Punic language: in Poenulus - by Plautus - beginning of 5th-Act.

External links

Some West Semetic Inscriptions (http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/westsem/westsem.html)