Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Paul Zellmer <zellmer AT cag.pworld.net.ph>]

Paul J. Bodin wrote:

> On Wed, 28 Apr 1999 12:54:15 -0500, Gregory and Carol Yeager wrote:
>
> > As for the Waw, I always wondered what it was about waw that makes it a
> > matres lectionis for both U and O.  My mouth sort of forms the same
> > shape for both, but that doesn't help me with a consonantal idea.  Was
> > it a liquid consonant?
>
> Waw is not a liquid consonant; my understanding, subject to correction
> by those more expert, is that waw represents a diphthong.  Diphthongs
> function in many languages as consonants.  English "w", for example, is
> a diphthong and often functions as a consonant.

Paul (and Greg),

If the waw is pronounced with the /w/ sound, it is technically a
semivowel, which is
the shortened form of /u/ [or possibly /o/] vowel and is used as a
consonant in many
languages.  Of similar nature is the relationship between /y/ and /i/
[and possibly
/e/].  Paul, while it does frequently occur as the one part of a
diphthong, it is not,
in itself, a diphthong.  A diphthong is the sliding from one vowel sound
toward
another.

Of course, if it is pronounced /v/ as many pronounce it, it is a voiced
fricative
[meaning the vocal cords are vibrating and the flow of air is impeded
but not stopped
completely].

Personally, I tend to pronounce both waw and yod as semivowels, based on
their similar
uses in forms like hollow verbs.  I guess the letter he must also fall
into this
catagory in Hebrew then, since it frequently stands as a "vowel-letter"
for the /a/
sound.

Just my ramblings,

Paul

--
Paul and Dee Zellmer, Jimmy Guingab, Geoffrey Beltran
Ibanag Translation Project
Cabagan, Philippines

zellmer AT faith.edu.ph