This was an understanding I received sometime during my studies of
biblical Hebrew. I have forgotten the source, so I will have to look it
up again. I assure you, however, that it is true.
This does not necessarily limit the ability of the language to be used
to communicate meaningful ideas. Moreover, complex ideas can be
represented by individual words. For example, the Hebrew word "go'el"
which is translated "redeemer" in English would require thousands of
English words to express the idea that is encapsulated in that single
Hebrew word. This is because we reside completely outside the cultural
domain in which the meaning of the word was so clearly understood. In
other words, much is said that goes unsaid.
For an example of how much can be communicated with few words, just look
at the Hebrew Old Testament. There are some thoroughly complex ideas
expressed in a vocabulary of less than ten thousand words. The
complexity of a language need not always be measured in the number of
words in its popular vocabulary.
(I am amazed that the average high school graduate knows 45,000 words--I
didn't think there were than many mono-syllabic words in the English
language.<g>)
May the L-rd richly bless and keep you.
Russ
Russell T. Cannon
rcannon@usa.net