4 The Linguistic Ethos of the Galilee in the First Century C.E.

Abstract

Language evolution within a society reflects history of Galilean society; the history of language and history of culture move along parallel lines. A society shapes its thought and expression of reality through language and its grammar. Language choice and language change can be socially loaded. Language is most sensitive indicator of social change; therefore, language allows one to observe social change in process prior to its crystallization and standardization within a social structure. The language used by Jewish people living in land of Israel in Hellenistic and Roman periods at same time reflect and were a crucial part of social forces that shaped Jewish society in Hellenistic and Roman periods in Galilee and Judea. The virtual absence of literary and epigraphic materials from Galilee during Hellenistic and Early Roman periods complicates construction of linguistic ethos of Galilean society. Keywords: Galilee; Israel; Jerusalem; Jewish society; Judea; Linguistic Ethos; Roman periods