Inflections in general have a half-agglutinative character, the meaning and origin of the affixes and suffixes being palpable.

Syntax scarcely exists, the construction of sentences having such a general character of simplicity, especially in narrative, that one might compare it with the naive utterances of an infant.

The utmost endeavour of the Semites is to join words together so as to form a sentence; to join sentences is an effort altogether beyond them.

They employ the {lexis eiromene} of Aristotle,[32] which proceeds by accumulating atom on atom, instead of attempting the rounded period of the Latins and Greeks.
The common traits of character among Semitic nations have been summed up by one writer under five heads:--1.

Pliability combined with iron fixity of purpose; 2.