The Semitic Negative

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Excerpt from The Semitic Negative: With Special Reference to the Negative in HebrewForms for the expression of the negative idea are found in every language. There is probably no negative idea that could not be expressed by some affirmative but circumlocutory formula, but the negative particle serves the purpose both of convenience and force, and in some forms is as old as language itself. It is, in fact, a necessity, and as language grows, the primitive negative differentiates or new forms are found to express new and different shades or degrees of force in the negative idea. Tracing this development historically we find its first expression in gesture, in which form it is found even before language begins, as may be noted in the development of the individual human being, is seen in the animal, and may be inferred for the human race if the theory of evolution be accepted. The kicking and balking of a horse, the growl of the dog when you approach to take from him his mutton-bone are emphatic expressions of dissent. The first is gesture pure and simple, like the shrug of the shoulder or the shake of the head in man. The growl of the dog might be called a vocal gesture, and is a second stage in the development of negative expression, a step toward a vocabulary which man in articulate language has carried to completion.'About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully, any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.