OLD SOUTH ARABIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Old South Arabian refers to the ancient Semitic language and script used in the southern Arabian Peninsula during the pre-Islamic period. It was primarily used in the regions corresponding to present-day Yemen, as well as parts of Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The Old South Arabian language is classified as a member of the Semitic language family, which includes other ancient languages like Hebrew and Arabic. It is characterized by its unique phonetic and grammatical features. The script used to write Old South Arabian is known as the Ancient South Arabian script, which is an abjad writing system that consists of consonantal letters with no vowel indication.
Old South Arabian is of immense historical and cultural significance, as it documents an important period in the Arabian Peninsula's history, ranging from the 8th century BCE to the 6th century CE. It provides valuable insights into the political, social, and religious aspects of the societies that inhabited the region during that time.
Today, Old South Arabian is considered a dead language as it is no longer spoken in its original form. However, the script and inscriptions in this ancient language continue to be studied and deciphered by scholars, archaeologists, and linguists, contributing to a better understanding of the ancient civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula.
