Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peter AT qaya.org>]

On 15/03/2006 13:05, Dr. Joel M. Hoffman wrote:
> > > > > But once you come to the realization that a shwa represents the lack
> > > > > of a vowel --- no more, no less --- everything because eaiser and more
> > > > >
> > > > >           
> > I understood you saying in the quoted message that each schwa represents a
> > vowel. Thus, the question, what vowel is represented by schwa in niphal?
> >     
>
> I don't know how I can be clearer.  "Shwa"="no vowel."  When there's
> no vowel, there's a shwa.  That's it.
>
> Tiberian Hebrew orthography requires a mark under (almost) every
> non-final letter.  When there's no vowel sound, and thus no vowel
> mark, a shwa gets written.
>
>   
Also, as I understand it, when there is no vowel mark and no sheva (and 
no following shuruq or full holam), except for word finally, that 
indicates that the letter itself is silent, e.g. silent alef in ro'sh, 
yod and vav matres lectionis, the redundant sin in Issachar. In other 
words, the sheva needs to be written if the consonant is to be sounded 
at all.

--
Peter Kirk
peter AT qaya.org (personal)
peterkirk AT qaya.org (work)
http://www.qaya.org/