Diachronic Analysis Diachronic Analysis
Trace a root's distribution across periods and corpora. Frequencies normalised per 1,000 words.
⚠ Diachronic-analysis caveats — read before citing
The chart compares normalised frequency of a root across five corpora in chronological order. This does not isolate diachronic change because the corpora differ simultaneously on genre (narrative, literal translation, liturgical poetry), register, dialect, and translation source. A frequency that appears to "rise" or "fall" may reflect any of these factors, not necessarily historical change.
The chronological ordering (Biblical Aramaic → Targum → Ephrem → Peshitta NT → OT) is an editorial choice. Targum Onkelos's date in particular is debated (some scholars place it as late as the 5th c. CE, later than the Peshitta NT).
Use these charts as suggestive starting points, not as evidence for diachronic claims. See docs/VALIDATION.md §3-4 for full caveats.