Ulpan 2: History of the Hebrew Language

Ulpan continues- I'm learning again, as I dreaded in high school, the different forms: Nifal, Hife'il, Hufal, Piel, Pual, and so on. The problem is, at least with me, that after having learned Ivrit for so many years, my Hebrew is 'fossilized'- as my Ulpan professor put it. My grammer mistakes may be there for eternity, since I speak and understand Hebrew to a high enough level. Which is a price I'll have to pay. I've been told it takes many years to actually speak Hebrew perfectly- so what right do I have to complain after such a short time here?

But I digress. My elective in Ulpan is History of the Hebrew Language: was Hebrew the first languge out there? How did modern Hebrew evolve from Biblical Hebrew? Where do Arabic, Aramaic, and Phonician come into play? And so on.

As through the Mesorah (at least the way that I understand it) the Torah always existed- G-d looked into the Torah and created the world- through the words of Lashon HaKodesh themselves. The Torah is the expression of Lashon HaKodesh in this world.

But does that mean that the Torah is written in Lashon HaKodesh? Is Hebrew the original Lashon HaKodesh, or a translation or variation thereof? I would probably say yes, at this point, albeit with the caveat that we do NOT speak Torah Hebrew the way that probably David HaMelech, or Avraham Avinu spoke Lashon HaKodesh-namely, the 2 versions of Chet, 2 versions of Ayin, Daled, Gimel (Beged Kefet are some that most are familiar with), Tzadee, Shin, Samech, Zayin, and so on.

I, the datiyah (religious girl) in the class, kinda forced my professor to say that most of what he was saying was theory, rather than concrete fact- but most was highly illuminating and made a lot of sense. Plus, I got to show that I actually can read and translate Tanach- unlike many of the Israeli brethren out there. Shows a Bais Yaakov education is good for something! (that was a joke, for those of you about to throw tomatoes.)

Anyone have any really really early Torah sources for prounciation and grammer? Or writing, and language? I'm curious!

Ulpan: First Thoughts

Yes, you read the title correctly: I'm in Ulpan.

Traditionally, Ulpan is conducted over a long period of time, except for crazy fanatical students like me, who have no time in their lives to begin with, so they embark on the sadistic torture called Ulpan Kayitz (Summer Ulpan), which is 2 months of intensive Hebrew learning atmosphere, with some fun electives and activities thrown into the mix.

When I first walked into the Ulpan (3 days late: Israel bureaucracy at its best), I immediately was thrust into a conversation amidst the mostly irreligious- (or chiloni, as they call themselves- no derogatory meaning implied) members of the class, regarding a certain text passage that they had read. It seems that one of the members of the class interpreted the passage to mean that Jerusalem- ie Yerushalayim- is a holy city, and therefore, should be occupied by the religious (ie, charedi or dati- depending on which group you are referring to.)

And, in midst of the screaming of the 'zealot charedi movement that wants to take over a city that should be free for all'- I slunk into a chair in the back, my cheeks burning brighter than the colorful headscarf I had on my head that declared to all that I was a 'da'atiyah'.

I thought that I would have to leave Ulpan then and there. My professor, very knowledgable about the religious public and Tanach in general (he grew up in a religious household and cast it away), singled out me as the likely person to explain why women can't sing in front of men who don't care about hearing women sing.

I picked the least inflammatory elective- History of the Hebrew Language, as opposed to Biblical Criticism, and am enjoying it immensely- especially as to most of the class, I seem to be a scholar of Biblical Hebrew (ie: I can translate and read Tanach.)

I must say, Ulpan is a truly interesting experience. All comments and ideas are welcome.

Bezeq, Repairs, and Yum Bum Bum- Part Three

So, on to the last part. I had just moved into my new apartment, and with new places come new sounds. I mean, have you ever stayed alone in a new place and heard the house creaking? There are plumbing drips, wood creaks, and all sorts of other sounds. Plus, an apartment means that you have to get used to the neighbors' sounds also.

So, when I heard one of those loudspeaker cars (the cars that drive around to announce funerals or events that need to be taken care of on that day- a quick way to get the news out) saying "Yum Bum Bum", I ignored it at first. But it kept bugging me, as he meandered his way up and down my block, repeating those same three syllables over and over again.

So, I dragged NBD outside with me, and saw a group of kids milling around near the parked car. I asked my neighbor what they were gathering for- and she replied with those same three syllables.

Now, by this time I was quite curious. So, I asked. "What is Yum Bum Bum?" She replied, "You mean to tell me you don't know what Yum Bum Bum is?"

So I answered in the negative, and she started describing it to me. "You know the candy where sugar is poured into a big machine and comes out in fluffs?"

And it dawned on me.
"Cotton candy? That's what Yum Bum Bum is?" She nodded yes. So, this guy drives around and sells cotton candy, freshly made, to the neighborhood children. Rather cute- but at least I got an education in Modern Hebrew.

Any other fun words in Hebrew I should know about?

Ulpanesque

Random fact #152: I just cleaned my computer today, and it's sparkling! Nothing better than a clean screen and keys.
Now, back to my post.

One of my guests has decided to move to Israel in the near future, and therefore, she is taking Ulpan.

For those of you who don't know, Ulpan is the language acquisition program started by Israel, in order to integrate (that would be integratzionia) new immigrants to the wonders of the Hebrew language.

For me, it's pure entertainment. They have a whole section on "Mi Lo Yodea Ivrit" (Who doesn't know Hebrew?!) which is full of words that are written in Hebrew, but sound exactly like English.

Examples? Well: Pizza, Physica, Matamatica, Beera, Sucar, Psychologia, Universita, and so on.

(For those who didn't get that, that would be: Pizza, Physics, Mathematics, Beer, Sugar, Psychology, University.)

Instantly, I burst out with "Milah o' Lo Milah" courtesty of Benjy.

And we had a few uprorious laughs about " Ani Studentit B'Ulpan B'Yerushalaim. Ani Lomedet Ivrit B'Yerushalayim. Ani Lo Studentit B'Anglit B'Ulpan...and so on." After all, these new students only know a few words, so therefore, they've got to make sentences with what they've got. Absolutely engrossing and scintillating conversation, no?

But Ulpan is truly a blessing- it is a fast, easy, and basically free course for new immigrants, which throws them into the deep end, and they come out rolling their r's and all.

However, I've gotten my own crash course in other words in Ivrit, simply by living here. After all, living next to 7 children who all speak fluent Hebrew and English is bound to be an education in itself.

They have taught me Pachit (a can of soda, as in, "I would love a Pachit, do you happen to have one laying around for me? And me? And me?).

The word Nozelet comes up a lot (as in, Ugh, she has nozelet- get her a tissue!).

And of course, for the school age children, I've learnt words like 'X and Igul', (knots and crosses for you British people out there).

'Tasim V" (as in, make a check around the correct word, or "NMF #7 , could you do my homework for me, and Tasim V around the right ones?")

And of course, Kaftorim (the small button like candies I keep around the house for sugar emergencies.)

As my neighbor, the mother of all these cuties says, "You're getting a real education here, NMF #7!" And all without Ulpan!