Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu>]

I see it so. In the beginning a schwa NA was a "forward leaning"  
schwa or a schwa that, supposedly, opens a syllable, and a schwa NAX  
was a "backwards leaning" schwa, or a schwa that, supposedly, closes  
a syllable. Seeing the word NA, 'moving', later generations thought  
it has something to do with TNUAH (not TeNUAH), 'vowel' and they  
started to "move" it. Some old Hebrew grammar books advise against  
this curious flowery interpretation of NA, but apparently to no  
avail, as it kept moving into ever wider circles.
Today, Hebrew speakers often override the schwa and replace it by an  
e sound at their convenience. In any event, I never "move" a schwa  
(except in a preposition) as it makes the language sound crisper.

Isaac Fried, Boston University

On Mar 9, 2010, at 6:32 PM, George Athas wrote:

> Isaac Fried asked:
>
> "You may also characterize it as a terminological farce. Do you
> actually vocalize this schwa?"
>
> Yes. Interesting point about the terminology, though. It almost  
> sounds like you are willing to concede that there is some  
> vocalisation in there.
>
> GEORGE ATHAS
> Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
> www.moore.edu.au
>
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