Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Peter Kirk" <Peter_Kirk AT sil.org>]

I was puzzled by the statement "pronunciation is absolutely crucial for Hebrew", though I agree that it is helpful to have material to listen to, not just on paper. But I find it helpful to use a pronunciation which distinguishes between the different sounds as written by the Masoretes e.g. between kaph (with dagesh) and qoph, and between patah and qamets. The Israeli pronunciation does not do this, and so is not so useful for learning. On the other hand, you do need to know some rather complex phonetics e.g. to distinguish tet from taw (with dagesh), and to pronounce `ayin anything like properly.

 

Peter Kirk

-----Original Message-----
From: Bearpecs AT aol.com [mailto:Bearpecs AT aol.com]
Sent: 17 May 2001 07:53
To: Biblical Hebrew
Subject: Re: beginning grammars & computer assisted programs

In a message dated 5/16/01 11:58:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
dwashbur AT nyx.net writes:

pronunciation is absolutely crucial for Hebrew

I'm curious about people's thought regarding the pronunciation of Biblical
Hebrew according to the grammar books versus using Modern Israeli Hebrew.  
Assuming the student knows the difference and can apply that to the
phonology, etc, does it make a difference how it's pronounced in class?  I'm
not supporting either or the other, just asking.
Hayyim

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