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b-hebrew - RE: "Non-Academic" Original Languages?

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  • From: Mark Wessner <mark AT wessner.ca>
  • To: Biblical Hebrew <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: RE: "Non-Academic" Original Languages?
  • Date: Tue, 17 Dec 2002 14:10:43 -0800



I here I thought I was asking a simple question yesterday ... ;-)

Actually, this whole discussion proves the importance of this mailing list - where else could I get such a variety of comments from a variety of students and teachers? Thank you for all of your advice!

I agree with you, Trevor, that it is better to learn the languages if at all possible. An I that is the key - it is not necessarily *possible* for everybody (due to interest, ability, resources, need, whatever). For example, I would never trade my ability to use the languages (although I am slowly getting rusty from non-use!) as it has changed the way I read the Bible (and almost every other text - ancient or modern). However, I am also very aware that not everybody has the interest or opportunity to go all the way down the road. It is with these people in mind, that I asked my original question. And I obviously didn't state it clearly - sorry!

So ... given the interest in this subject, if any b-hebrewers (or b-greekers) would be interested in emailing me a list of their recommended introductory language resources (and identify if this is for scenario 1 or 2), I would be happy to *try* to collate them into one list for your further review. Such a resource may possibly prove to be a valuable tool (as a generic starting point) for anyone who is interested in beginning to learn/teach the languages. Then, as an individual's interest and experience progresses, they will begin to form their own theory of language acquisition (as is already so evident on this list!). I realize that this may be an audacious goal, but it would be one small way of putting a practical spin on all of this great discussion.

Let me know what you think ...

Mark

PS. I appreciate your cautions about the "a little knowledge ..." catch-phrase, Bryan.

At 11:59 AM 17/12/02, Trevor Peterson wrote:
>===== Original Message From Mark Wessner <mark AT wessner.ca> =====
>Hmm ... I see two trains of thought developing regarding the intent of an
>"introductory" Biblical language course:
>
>1) A clear goal of enabling the students to explore the better language
>tools (commentaries, inter-linears, some lexicons, etc.).

With the caveat that not everyone agrees that all these tools are good to put
at students' disposal.

[snipped]

>An obviously, one is
>not inherently "better" than the other, as they both use different
>approaches to achieve different goals.

I might disagree with that too :-) I still think that it's better to learn the
languages if at all possible.

Trevor Peterson
CUA/Semitics


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