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E 0276 DUMB
The word " dumb " is of Germanic origin.
H 0571 ם
ד
מ
ד
מ
Concept of root : stupidity
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Hebrew word
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pronunciation
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English meanings
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ם ד מ ד מ
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medumdam
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stupid
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Related English words
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dumb
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Comparison between European words and
Hebrew
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Languages
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Words
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Pronunciation
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English meanings
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Similarity in roots
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Hebrew
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ם ד מ ד מ
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medumdam
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stupid
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d (.) m
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German
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dumm
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dum
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stupid
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d (.) m
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Dutch
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dom
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dom
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stupid
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d (.) m
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Proto-Semitic *DOM --- *DŪMB- Proto-Germanic
The Hebrew word "medumdam" has a basic meaning of "daze, confused". It has a prefix M with the root "D.M.D.M" that carries the same message . This root is related with "D.M.M = to be(come) dumb, silent". At the origin of both there must have been a root "*D.M" identical to the Germanic one of this entry . See entry E 0275 (Hebrew 0317) about the link between non-speaking or other lacks of performance and the impression of stupidity that results.
Note:
- Proto-Semitic.
The root D M M is found in Ugaritic . Another form " D M D M " with related meanings is seen in Aramaic " ד מ ד ם , dimdèm = to be in a daze". Ethiopian uses this same root to say " to be stunned". A root "* ד ם , D M" was probably used in Proto-Semitic. For our comparison we use the vowel " O ", that may well have been in use, as so often is the case, in this two consonant combination.
Note:
- Proto-Germanic. In older Germanic languages we find Gothic "dumbs", Old Saxon, Old North Franconian and Old English "dumb", Old Frisian "dumb, dumm", Old Norse "dumbr" and Old High German with a typical change in the dental "tumb". All mean basically dumb in the sense of "unable to talk", but most already as well in the sense of "stupid". And in several cases the meaning of "in a daze" is there as well. The final "B" is a Germanic development that in most modern languages disappeared again. Old High German "tumb" had the three meanings of "unable to speak", "deaf" and "stupid, silly". Middle Dutch with "domb, domp, dom" changed from "U" to "O" and led the abolishment of the "B", but had maintained that old Semitic message of "in a daze" in Dutch "dwaas". Proto-Germanic probably had "D U MB-".
Note:
- Indo-European. We have no indications about possible cognates in other groups of Indo-European languages and the comparison stays between Semitic and Germanic.
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| Created: Tuesday 6 November 2007 at 22.30.54 Updated: 06/11/2012 at 10.48.25 |
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