Surnames of Jewish People in the Land of Israel from the Sixteenth Century to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This is careful and cautious work which is claimed to open a previously unstudied topic. It is an important contribution, among other things, to the question of the composition and durability of the families of the Yishuv, as well as to that of their surnaming habits. Where conclusions that are drawn need qualification, this is done appropriately. I have no reservations about its publishability, whilst noting at the same time that the topic is not my primary area of expertise.
The English is broadly fine. A very small number of grammatical and lexical changes are required, though they are minor, as detailed below:
Most notably: the verb allow requires an object before the complement clause; in academic discourse this is traditionally "us", but if the author prefers, a rephrasing is possible such as 19-20 "This information allows the analysis of ..."
19-20: Yet, this information allows to analyze >> However this information allows us to analyze
21: It also permits to see >> It also permits us to see
23: This information also allows to follow >> also allows us to follow
33: estimations >> estimates; 47: counting >> comprising; 48: other >> others
60: the list of congregations present in Safed all formed in link to >> the list of congregations present in Safed all linked to
71: the expulsion decree of local Jews >> the decree expelling local Jews
73-76: in this long sentence, replace semicolons with commas.
82: arrival in 1700 to Jerusalem: the English idiom is arrival in [place-name], here and elsewhere in the article
82: hundreds poor Jews >> hundreds of poor Jews
93: emigrate outside of >> emigrate from
119-120: Yet, there are little chances >> However there is little chance
137: was large enough >> was rather large
145: are likely to migrate >> are likely to have migrated
footnote 25, line 5: consideration >> analysis (???)
footnote 30, line 4: mustaʕriba: harmonize transcription with form used in main text musta'riba
195: the Land Israel >> the Land of Israel
236: are not real surnames - they are if they were inherited ...
253: birth places >> birthplaces
260: a close number of Ashkenazim >> a similar number of Ashkenazim
261: Maghreb: usually the Maghreb in English (thus also 489 and in footnote 44)
304-305: At some periods, they could migrate >> At some periods, they were able to migrate
333: these surnames have bearers referred in >> these surnames have bearers referred to in
346 and elsewhere: Marrakech is the French spelling; decide on whether this is satisfactory for Maghrebin place-names in an English text (here rather ? Marrakesh)
360: The case of Abulafia is similar enough >> The case of Abulafia is quite similar
380: the mandate Palestine >> = (usually) Mandate Palestine
387: in Syrian cities >> in the Syrian cities; thus also with Thessalian cities in 388
392: the provenance of Yemen >> Yemeni provenance
417: three thirds (!!!)
430: Caucasus >> the Caucasus
475-476: In theory, in all places, these figures can be relatively small >> In theory, in all places, these figures may be relatively small
494: conscience >> perhaps rather consciousness
Author Response
I considered all remarks by the two reviewers and made changes accordingly. The new version of my text is attached here.
Reviewer 2 Report
An interesting article and very useful information. I enjoyed the evading of critical obstacles of language and content. Though some language work is still necessary.
I am surprised that Arie Morgenstern, Hastening Redemption, Oxford 2006, was not quoted.
The English deserves some help. There are several grammatic mistakes that are not only typos. I suggest demanding another prove reading.
Author Response
I considered all remarks by the two reviewers and made changes accordingly. The new version of my text is attached here.
