Schlözer names the “Semitic” languages
1781Began between 1 Jan 1781 and 31 Dec 1781.
The German historian August Ludwig von Schlözer coined “Semitic” in 1781 for a family of related languages that includes Arabic, Hebrew, Syriac and Ethiopic. The sources here agree it began as a term for languages, not for peoples.
What the sources say
A Forward language column says the word “Semitic”, for the family of Middle Eastern and northeast African languages that includes Arabic and Hebrew, was first invented in 1781 by the German historian August Ludwig von Schlözer.
was first invented in 1781 by German historian August Ludwig von SchlözerAdded on 12 Nov 2026Debunk this
Bernard Lewis writes that “Semitic” was coined by philologists for a group of related languages (Syriac, Arabic, Hebrew and Ethiopic) and only later given a racial meaning.
“Semitic” was first used as a linguistic, not as an ethnic or racial, term.Added on 12 Nov 2026Debunk this
The IHRA memo says “Semitic” was a philological term for a family of languages originating in the Middle East.
The philological term 'Semitic' referred to a family of languages originating in the Middle EastAdded on 12 Nov 2026Debunk this
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