Benjamin Suchard

Benjamin D. Suchard
Benjamin D. Suchard
Citizenship	Dutch
Education	PhD Linguistics and Hebrew & Aramaic, Leiden University. Research MA in Linguistics, Leiden University. BA in Comparative Indo-European Linguistics, Leiden University.
Website	https://bnuyaminim.wordpress.com/

Benjamin D. Suchard (born 1988) is a historical linguist specializing in the Semitic and Afroasiatic language families. His research focuses on phonological and morphological reconstruction, including the history of the reading traditions of the Hebrew Bible.^[1] He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at KU Leuven.^[2] He is known for applying the Neogrammarian hypothesis—focusing on regular and phonetically conditioned sound changes—to Semitic linguistics, which has historically under-emphasized this method.

Life and Career

Suchard received his PhD from Leiden University, where he studied Linguistics and Hebrew & Aramaic under Holger Gzella. He is married to fellow linguist Dr. Hilde Gunnink of Leiden University, with whom he has several children.

Suchard's Law

In his first book The Development of the Biblical Hebrew Vowels, Suchard resolved the longstanding irregularity of the Canaanite Shift, whereby */ā/ shifted to /ō/ except in vicinity of /u/ or /w/. This led to the discovery of an early Hebrew sound change */u/ > /i/ next to labial consonants.^[3] This sound change subsequently became known as Suchard's Law^[4], joining a number of other sound changes named after their discoverers including Philippi's Law and Geers's Law.

Public Engagement

Suchard made a name for himself with his public engagement, unusual in historical linguistics. He uses his X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky accounts to engage with the public about Ancient Near Eastern languages. He has been involved as a language consultant in the production of major Hollywood films.^[5]

Books

Suchard B.D. (2022), Aramaic Daniel: a textual reconstruction of chapters 1-7. Studia Semitica Neerlandica no. 73. Leiden: Brill.
Suchard B.D. (2019), The development of the Biblical Hebrew vowels. Studies in Semitic Languages and Linguistics no. 99. Leiden: Brill.

References

^ "Benjamin Suchard". Leiden University. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
^ "Benjamin Suchard". Faculteit Theologie en Religiewetenschappen KU Leuven. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
^ Suchard, Benjamin (2019-09-24), "The Development of the Biblical Hebrew Vowels: Including a Concise Historical Morphology", The Development of the Biblical Hebrew Vowels, Brill, ISBN 978-90-04-39026-3, retrieved 2024-12-30
^ Ayil, Ephraim S. (2024-08-26), "Identifying the Stones of Classical Hebrew: A Modern Philological Approach", Identifying the Stones of Classical Hebrew, Brill, ISBN 978-90-04-67800-2, retrieved 2024-12-30
^ "Benjamin Suchard: 'The more you send out into the world, the more likely it will stick'". Leiden University. 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2024-12-30.

[1] "Benjamin Suchard". Leiden University. Retrieved 2024-12-30.

[2] "Benjamin Suchard". Faculteit Theologie en Religiewetenschappen KU Leuven. Retrieved 2024-12-30.

[3] Suchard, Benjamin (2019-09-24), "The Development of the Biblical Hebrew Vowels: Including a Concise Historical Morphology", The Development of the Biblical Hebrew Vowels, Brill, ISBN 978-90-04-39026-3, retrieved 2024-12-30

[4] Ayil, Ephraim S. (2024-08-26), "Identifying the Stones of Classical Hebrew: A Modern Philological Approach", Identifying the Stones of Classical Hebrew, Brill, ISBN 978-90-04-67800-2, retrieved 2024-12-30

[5] "Benjamin Suchard: 'The more you send out into the world, the more likely it will stick'". Leiden University. 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2024-12-30.

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