Pronunciation: [sɛmˈɪtɪk] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "semitic" can be confusing as it is pronounced differently from its spelling. The proper pronunciation of "semitic" is /sɪˈmɪtɪk/, with emphasis on the second syllable. The letter "c" is pronounced as "k". This word refers to the Semitic languages, composed mainly of Arabic, Hebrew, and Aramaic. The term "Semitic" can also be used to describe people, culture, and religion related to these languages.
The term "Semitic" refers to a linguistic and cultural family that encompasses a group of languages and civilizations originating in the Near East. The word itself, derived from the biblical name Shem, refers to the descendants of Shem, who is believed to be one of Noah's sons. The Semitic language family includes languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, Amharic, and many others, spoken by various ethnic and religious groups in the region.
Additionally, "Semitic" can also serve as an adjective describing anything related to these languages or the people who speak them. It pertains to the various Semitic cultures, their historical developments, and their shared characteristics. These shared traits often include similar grammatical structures, vocabulary, and sound systems.
Beyond the linguistic aspect, "Semitic" carries historical and cultural connotations as well. It encompasses both Judaism and Islam, two major world religions with roots in the Semitic region. Furthermore, it may refer to the Semitic peoples, who have played pivotal roles in the historical narratives of the ancient Near East and continue to exert significant influence in contemporary times.
However, it is essential to recognize that the term "Semitic" has also been misused and distorted throughout history, particularly during the rise of racial theories in the 19th and 20th centuries. Such misuse has resulted in harmful ideologies like anti-Semitism, which targets Jews based on their supposed ethnic heritage. Therefore, the term should be used cautiously, with a focus on its linguistic and cultural meanings rather than promoting discriminatory practices.
A term applied to one of the great families of languages-see shemitic.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Semitic" is derived from the Latin "Sēmītae", which originated from the Greek term "Σημίτης" (Sēmítēs). The Greek term was used to refer to the Semitic people, who were associated with the Semitic-speaking peoples of the Ancient Near East, including the Phoenicians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Hebrews.
The Greek term "Σημίτης" itself is believed to have originated from the Akkadian word "Šumū" or "Šemu", meaning "offspring", "descendant", or "branch", as it was commonly used to denote these communities' linguistic and ethnic connection.
