Biblical Hebrew Forum

["nebarry AT verizon.net" <nebarry AT verizon.net>]

Original Message:
-----------------
From: K Randolph kwrandolph AT gmail.com
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:32:24 -0800
To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Tools For Learning Ancient Hebrew


On Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 6:20 AM, Randall Buth <randallbuth AT gmail.com> wrote:



>>The above paragraph illustrates what I consider a major problem in
Biblical
Hebrew studies: namely the approach to Hebrew studies. While the method I
learned in class was “thru analysis and root processing”, which I
believe
fits 99% of classroom studies, when I started reading, my aim was merely
fluency in as close a manner to a native speaker as reading a non-spoken
language can be. So while Randall was studying all those grammars, I was
merely reading Tanakh and building up my fluency. Yet, even then, I already
noticed that some of the analysis that I had been taught didn’t fit what I
was reading, and some of the root processing didn’t make sense.

I have given some thought on how I would teach Biblical Hebrew, were I to be
a professor. While I would make use of some of the concepts known to people
learning Hebrew as a second language, such as teaching a certain amount of
grammar, my main goal would be reading fluency; “thru analysis and root
processing” only to be later, much later if ever. And I would admit to
students that there are gaps in our knowledge of Biblical Hebrew.<<

I had beginning Hebrew from Al Groves at WTS.  He certainly didn't ignore
"analysis and root processing," but he also had us reading out of Judges by
the third or fourth week of class.  For him it was a both/and, not an
either/or, and I have always appreciated his approach.

Barry



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