Meillet, les juifs et la Bible

The article explores three key aspects of Meillet’s perspective on the Jewish people. First, it delves into Meillet’s notions regarding the languages of the Jewish community and their evolution in specific regions. The second point examines the potential influence of the Hebrew Bible on European languages. Considering the historical dispersion of Jews across various countries, he contemplates the likelihood of reciprocal cultural and linguistic influence between the Jewish community and the societies they integrated with over time. Notably, remnants of the Hebrew Bible can be identified in European languages, a topic extensively addressed by Meillet in his articles and reviews. Lastly, the article sheds light on Meillet’s position towards the Jewish population during a period marked by intense debates surrounding the Dreyfus affair, which was causing considerable division in France.