the meaning of "genetic relationship"

[Jacob Baltuch]

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Isidore Dyen wrote:
 
>I wonder how you think languages continue in exicstence if not through a
>succession of native speakers. Do y;ou think that Latin continued as a
>spoken language to be considered on a par with French through Church or
>medieval Latin? Do you think that linguists do not make d distinction
>between a language that has first or native speakers as being alive and
>one that is dead, that is, has no native speakers? Can genetic linguistics
>be regarded as applying to artificial languages? To dead languages after
>death? I am looking forqward to your replies. ID
 
I had gotten this first and answered it in email. I didn't realize it
was also being posted and didn't keep my email answer to Isidore Dyen.
If he wishes, he may post it and answer it here.
 
I don't know if this is worth so much discussion. If you don't like
French, think of the relationship between biblical Hebrew and modern
Hebrew. Is it a genetic relationship? If transmission thru native
speakers is a requisite for a genetic relationship to exist, then the
answer should clearly be negative. Is that what most linguists would say?
That modern Hebrew is not a Semitic language but an isolate?