Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Kirk Lowery <klowery AT wts.edu>]

Jonathan D. Safren wrote:
> Gentlemen, please!
> Hebrew font has its uses and transliteration has its uses. I use both in my
> work, depending upon the circumstances.
> It will be very useful for members of this list to download a browser which
> can read Hebrew letters. That doesn't mean that every communication need use
> Hebrew letters. Or the opposite.
> Indeed, however, list rules should be modified so as to allow BOTH Hebrew
> fonts and trasliteration.

At the risk of over-emphasizing this issue, let me reiterate: there is 
*no* prohibition of using non-ascii font encodings on b-hebrew! The 
transliteration scheme used for so many years here (and all of its 
variants) came into use because until very recently there was no other 
practical alternative for communication.

The reason for using transliteration is so that *everyone* may 
participate in the discussion. We do not want to marginalize anyone 
simply because they don't control their computing environment. Not 
everyone has the ability to upgrade to the most modern software 
because their machines are controled by IT departments of educational 
institutions and corporations. Others are hampered by poor bandwidth 
or very old hardware. We are a global list, and must consider the 
level of technology everywhere.

Feel free to include Unicode (or other encodings) of Hebrew 
characters. Just be sure to include transliterations, too, so that all 
may read, understand and respond. It will increase the number who may 
respond and is simple courtesy. (Which is what the original poster 
did, to his credit.)

I will consult with the other moderators about a roadmap and timeline 
for change. If you have opinions or suggestions for that transition, 
please email any of us off-list.

Blessings,

Kirk
B-Hebrew co-chair
--
Kirk E. Lowery, Ph.D.
Director, Westminster Hebrew Institute
Adjunct Professor of Old Testament
Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

Theorie ist, wenn man alles weiss und nichts klappt.
Praxis ist, wenn alles klappt und keiner weiss warum.
Bei uns sind Theorie und Praxis vereint:
nichts klappt und keiner weiss warum!