E 0042          APPEAL

The word " appeal " is, via Old French, of Latin origin .

H 0696            ל ל פ

Concept of root : expressing speach

Hebrew word

pronunciation

English meanings

ל ל פ

pillèl

to retain, judge, defend, ask

Related English words

appeal  

Comparison between European words and Hebrew

Languages

Words

Pronunciation

English meanings

Similarity in roots

Hebrew

ל ל פ

pillèl

to retain, judge, defend, ask

p . l . l <

*p . l

Latin

appellare;

-

compellare;

-

interpellare

-

appellare;

-

compellare;

-

interpellare;

-

to address, consult;

to adress, appeal;

to verbally interrupt

p . l

English

appeal

appeal

p . l

 

 

Hebrew *PILLÈL < Proto-Semitic *PALAL < *PAL --- *PÈL Indo-European

 

 

The concept in this comparison is that of a discussion in a public forum. This can take place in a judicial or political setting, refer to expressed opinions and verbal defense , but it can even touch upon the expression of oneself as is done in prayer.

 

This same concept is found in both the Latin and the Hebrew root. This last one as seen in the verb "pillèl" has doubled the L, but the original root must have been "*P L" with the same meaning.

 

Also Latin has had a particular development in that it does not use the basic verb "pellare". It has a verb "pellere", but that has a fully different meaning : "to stomp, beat" and also "to chase away, off". These have no connection at all with those of the composed words of this entry. A supposition that the E-verb "pellere" has become an A-verb "*pellare" with a change in meaning from violent beating and stomping towards peaceful discussion seems culturally unthinkable.

 

A particular coincidence is that also Hebrew in the Bible no more used the basic forms of verbs with the same root, such as "pal", "palal", but only the intensive form "pillèl".

 

 

Note:
  • Latin finds a solution of an etymological problem. Up till now "appellare" and companions were considered composed verbs of "pellere". The similarity with the Hebrew root that also in composed forms is so near in meanings to the Latin composed verbs of this entry, makes clear that there must have been a basic verb "*pellare" that has given birth to "appellare" .

     

    A clear proof of this we find by comparing the two composite verbs "compellere" and "compellare". The first one, on the basis of "pellere" , means "to round up, drive in a corner, force". The second one says "to address, appeal". There are as well two composed words "appellere" and "appellare", each based on a different root.

 

Note:
  • Hebrew in modern language has further developed and refined the use of this root, making use of the instruments it disposes of. But for the comparison with European languages, that has to go way back in time, we limit ourselves to the Biblical usage. "To pray" is expressed by the reflexive form " ה ת פ ל ל, hitpallèl".

 

Note:
  • Proto-Semitic. There is not much evidence from other Semitic languages, but interesting help comes from Arabic "faā(y) = he examined, scrutinized, searched", that is nearer to the Latin meanings referred to above. So there is a small basis for a hypothesis for Proto-Semitic : "*פ ל , P L -" and perhaps also the newer three consonant version "*פ ל ל , P L L". In the comparison we have maintained the basic vowels " A ".

 

Note:
  • Indo-European.

     

    Proto-Germanic has a hypothesis of "*spilla-", that is solidly built on evidence from many old and new languages. Old Saxon "spel; spellunga = tale", Gothic "spill = announcement", Old English "spell = tale, discourse, oration, preaching", Middle Dutch "spellen = declare, foresee, indicate, name". Proto-Germanic probably used a vowel " E " in "*S P È L-". The initial " S " is a neutral prefix added in Germanic.

     

    Greek has a verb "απειλω, apeilo, that is considered related to our Latin words. But its meaning gives only limited support for this: "to threaten, to boast of, to promise", of which "to menace" has become the prevailing use. It still may be related, but that is very uncertain.

     

     

    Indo-European, having led to Latin and Germanic, probably had itself a form "*P È L-".

 

 

 

 
"...the town, to which was given the name Babel, because it was there that the Lord confused the language of all the world on the face of which He dispersed them. GENESIS 11,9"
 
Created: Tuesday 6 November 2007 at 22.30.54 Updated: 16/11/2012 at 17.32.35