Historical Aspects of Standard Negation in Semitic

In Historical Aspects of Standard Negation in Semitic Ambjörn Sjörs investigates the grammar of standard negation in a wide selection of Semitic languages. The bulk of the investigation consists of a detailed analysis of negative constructions and is based on a first-hand examination of the examples in context.

The main issues that are investigated in the book relate to the historical change of the expression of verbal negation in Semitic and the reconstruction of the genealogical relationship of negative constructions. It shows how negation is constantly renewed from the reanalysis of emphatic negative constructions, and how structural asymmetries between negative constructions and the corresponding affirmative constructions arise from the linguistically conservative nature of negative vis-à-vis affirmative clauses.

Ambjörn Sjörs, Ph.D. (2015), Uppsala University, is a post-doc researcher 2016—2019 at the University of Cambridge, the University of Chicago, and Uppsala University.

"In conclusion, [Historical Aspects of Standard Negation in Semitic] is a good addition to studies in comparative Semitics. It includes a thorough overview and discussion of the earlier literature on negation and reassesses these opinions using material from various classic and modern languages. The author is to be congratulated on this diligent work and given our profound thanks for her valuable contribution to the field." ~ Jacob J. de Ridder, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, in Weiner Zeitschrift Fur Die Kunde Des Morgenlandes (Volume 109, 2019).

"The breadth and depth of this tome is remarkable; both the data and the secondary literature are, for the most part, expertly presented, and the discussion is evenhanded. [...] Although I find myself in disagreement with a number of the claims in the book, it is nevertheless an important and thorough work that should be a part of any serious Semitic library.” ~ Na'ama Pat-El, University of Texas at Austin, in Journal of the American Oriental Society (141/3, 2021).

“(…) there are already numerous studies in comparative Semitics about negation. Sjörs’ book, however, provides by far the most detailed and exhaustive study of the topic, and it will definitely stand as a major contribution to the field for many years. It will be of use for both scholars interested in phenomena related to negation and, at the same time, for linguists and philologist who work on the languages that are covered extensively in the book.” ~ Elitzur Bar-Asher Siegal, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in Orientalistische Literaturzeitung (116/4–5, 2021).