Colonialism and imperialism have enormous impact on every aspect of human life including languages, which is one of the significant markers of cultural identity. Often the colonial subjects had to face suppression of their languages by imposition of the language of the colonizers. When a language that has never been written down dies, it is as if it never existed. Imperialism or colonialism has always been at the heart of the murder of languages. The “linguistic imperialism” is not a modern phenomenon but it has been a reality throughout the history and all over the globe. The underlying reason for this sabotage is that the more linguistically coherent the society is, the easier it is to control. Take away a person’s language, and one robs them of the ability to express unique cultural concepts. The people in ancient Israel became one of the victims of this language incursion. This paper critically examines the impact of colonialism and imperialism on the gradual decline of Hebrew as spoken language during the Hellenistic period by analyzing the archaeological and epigraphic evidence as examples and illustrates the extent of the impact of “foreign” languages on Hebrew that eventually paved the way for its demise. The study further proves that colonialism and imperialism have been functioning throughout the history in a similar pattern to subjugate the “other,” and to exercise their power and interests over the “other.”

中文翻译：

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古希腊“入侵”政治与古代希伯来语“灭亡”

殖民主义和帝国主义对人类生活的方方面面都产生了巨大的影响，包括语言，这是文化认同的重要标志之一。通常，殖民臣民不得不面对殖民者的语言强加于他们的语言的压制。当一种从未被写下来的语言消亡时，就好像它从未存在过一样。帝国主义或殖民主义一直是语言谋杀的核心。“语言帝国主义”不是现代现象，而是历史上和全世界的现实。这种破坏的根本原因是，社会在语言上越连贯，就越容易控制。剥夺一个人的语言，就剥夺了他们表达独特文化概念的能力。古代以色列人成为这种语言入侵的受害者之一。本文以考古学和金石学证据为例，批判性地考察了殖民主义和帝国主义对希腊化时期希伯来语作为口语逐渐衰落的影响，并说明了“外来”语言对希伯来语的影响程度，最终为希伯来语的发展铺平了道路。其灭亡之道。该研究进一步证明，殖民主义和帝国主义在整个历史上都以类似的模式运作，以征服“他者”，并对“他者”行使权力和利益。本文以考古学和金石学证据为例，批判性地考察了殖民主义和帝国主义对希腊化时期希伯来语作为口语逐渐衰落的影响，并说明了“外来”语言对希伯来语的影响程度，最终为希伯来语的发展铺平了道路。其灭亡之道。该研究进一步证明，殖民主义和帝国主义在整个历史上都以类似的模式运作，以征服“他者”，并对“他者”行使权力和利益。本文以考古学和金石学证据为例，批判性地考察了殖民主义和帝国主义对希腊化时期希伯来语作为口语逐渐衰落的影响，并说明了“外来”语言对希伯来语的影响程度，最终为希伯来语的发展铺平了道路。其灭亡之道。该研究进一步证明，殖民主义和帝国主义在整个历史上都以类似的模式运作，以征服“他者”，并对“他者”行使权力和利益。