Friedrich — Linguistic Critique

The linguistic critique of Zecharia Sitchin's work focuses on his treatment of Sumerian, Akkadian, and Hebrew languages.

Key Issues

1. Sumerian is not Semitic — Sitchin treated Sumerian as if it shared roots with Semitic languages (Hebrew, Akkadian)
2. Etymological Fallacies — Sitchin connected words based on superficial similarities
3. Hebrew "Shem" — The word shem in Hebrew means "name," not "rocketship"
4. Misreading of Cuneiform — Sitchin read signs in ways not supported by established lexicography

See Also

• Translation Disputes — Translation disputes
• SHEM — The rocketship interpretation
• Mainstream Assyriology — Academic view