Expert: Imad Ajam - 7/12/2006

Question
I was wondering why are arabian and hebrew languages in the same language family as the language of black africans from ethiopia, cameroon... I mean the populations are genetically very different. Please explain to me why is this language similarity.
Thank you

Answer
Dear Cristian,

With regards to your question. Arabic and hebrew are called Semetic languages, which are actually a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family.

As to the populations being genetically very different, Historians are unsure about this point. Some believe that Semitic speakers crossed from South Arabia back into Ethiopia and Eritrea, while others suggest that the Semitic branch may have originated in Ethiopia.

Look here for more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro-Asiatic_languages