Secrets to Master Hebrew Speaking [Part 1]

[@Atilioam]

Excellent video, useful and interesting for people who is learning Hebrew .Thank you

[@zacdemi]

Ruben, your videos are awesome! They are extremely helpful and inspiring. Of the five languages you work with, what distinguishes Hebrew as one of your favorites?

[@Linguistix]

Zac! Thanks for the love, my friend. Glad the videos have been helpful! There are so many amazing things about Hebrew, but what I use to determine which language I enjoy speaking has a lot to do with the 'character' that's created when I speak. I think the Israeli attitude is pretty fun to imitate, and of the languages I speak (well) it's the only one that requires some investment of time in the alphabet (even more to remove nikud). For me, that translates to more skin in the game and a stronger connection to other speakers!

[@zacdemi]

Great answer. Thank you!

[@ferdic.3402]

Just wonderful, I been tryin to find out about "rosetta stone ancient hebrew" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Bonincoln Hebrew Handful - (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some decent things about it and my mate got amazing results with it.

[@saar144]

Isn't it weird that even though (nearly) all native Hebrew speakers can read Nikkud, 99.99% of them (including myself) don't know how to apply it (i.e. how to add Nikkud to a word without one)?

[@Linguistix]

I'm totally with you on that! I suppose it's similar to something else fundamental to the system but lesser so once you understand the flow. In the US many people have issues using apostrophes correctly and a lot can't distinguish an adjective from an adverb, though that's a little more complex. Whaddaya gunna do?

[@chuckwoolery8668]

That is weird. I feel special because even though I'm not fluent in Hebrew, I could write the nikkud if I hear the word. 😊

[@astralthief2334]

Do you think that it would be possible to learn to speak Hebrew fluently within 30 days, on your own, if you treat it as a full time job? If so what resources would you suggest? Thanks.

[@Linguistix]

I'd say if you're trying to learn any language in 30 days, you may be doing it for the wrong reasons, though I admire the drive! Although fluency is tough to measure, I'd say it's pretty difficult to get to a conversational level in a month, especially on your own, but I would think you could develop a strong base! It would depend on your native language, your ability to remember vocabulary, and how efficiently you use the time, not necessarily the number of hours you spend. No matter what, I'd recommend the same strategies whether you're cramming it all in or studying over the course of several months/years: 1. Figure out the type of language you are most likely to be using and translate / learn those words/phrases first (is this for work, casual speaking, religious purposes, etc.) 2. Start speaking as early as you can and connect with native speakers (or advanced speakers) to give you feedback. You may want to exchange languages to save some money (try gospeaky.com or italki.com) 3. Work on pronunciation fundamentals so that all your new vocabulary doesn't sound foreign (and you don't have to relearn to pronounce things correctly because you formed bad habits). Hope this gives you an idea. I'd be happy to speak more with you if you're serious about this! I might be your best resource ;)

[@yiqwaba3833]

Question why do you use the Niqqud system and not just pronounce the letters as is ? Is it because of the letters you use now?

[@Linguistix]

Good Q! I suppose it's to maintain the use of some symbols that for some already represent a sound. We're trying to make as many relationships as possible, and most people can't just hear the subtle differences; they have some other tie with letters and sounds from their native language. It just gives us another variable to utilize 👊🏽

[@yiqwaba3833]

@@Linguistix makes sense.

[@devonm8375]

What is the difference between a Patach and a Kamets sound? They both appear to go "ah" as in "fAll". Can they also go "a" as in "cAt"? How does Hebrew make the "a" sound in cat?

[@Linguistix]

H. F. Not sure where your English is from but there is no 'aw' as in fall in Modern Hebrew, nor is there an /ae/ as in cat. All patach and kamats sounds are identical and sound like the AH in father, with one exception coming to mind in צָהֳרַיִים (tso-oRAim). I hope that's clear! These sound descriptions are always tricky to write out.

[@devonm8375]

Linguistix I came across a website that said that "ah" is the sound of Patach and Kamets, but that Patach is short and Kamets is long (and that Chateph Patach is "reduced" Whatever that means). What does this all mean? I'm learning biblical Hebrew and my English is not very good.

[@Linguistix]

H. F. Well, your written English is fantastic, so you could've fooled me! There is a clear distinction between Biblical Hebrew and Modern Hebrew in that we no longer have access to native speakers of the former. I am no expert on Biblical Hebrew pronunciation, but I can tell you that most native Israelis today couldn't recall the names of the nikud, let alone the pronunciation subtleties among them in the Torah. For all intents and purposes, there is only one AH sound spoken *today* and any attempt to distinguish patach from kamats (or chateph patach) would be splitting hairs.

[@devonm8375]

Linguistix Thank you again. I meant that my understanding of all the English technicalities was not very good. By the way, great videos on Chet and Resh. Do you mind if I share them on the internet, specifically Pinterest?

[@Linguistix]

Of course! Feel free to share widely! Glad you enjoyed them.

[@devonm8375]

Can a final Kaf and a final Pey have a dagesh in them?

[@Linguistix]

H. F. That's a great question! Both Pey and Kaf in their final forms will be pronounced as the soft Fey and Chaf, respectively. However, you will see certain borrowed words maintaining final P sound, for example סטארט אפ (start-up). Final K sounds from borrowed words will typically be spelled with ק.

[@devonm8375]

Linguistix Thank you so much. God bless

[@saar144]

For non-borrowed words, it happens in acronyms like Shabac [שב"כ] (can't think of another one right now :))

[@saar144]

However in those cases, the letter Peh will retain its non-final form (פ). You can't have a final Peh (ף) with dagesh.

[@AviPars]

Do you focus on the nikkudot ?

[@Linguistix]

I focus on sounds of all kinds, and nikud come in handy (most of the time). In some cases they are misleading but we also discuss why that is, and how to best utilize them without getting caught up in the specifics. There are fewer vowel sounds than nikud vowel representations

[@josegabrielsolanopaniagua5395]

Nekkudot"

[@mujemoabraham6522]

Why don't you improve your Hebrew pronunciation for the letters SSadi, Qof, Hhet, 3ayen, Thet , I know it's difficult for East European Jews to utter the Semitic letters but if you work a hard little bit you will be able to master all the Semitic Hebrew letters .

[@chuckwoolery8668]

MUJEMO ABRAHAM for some reason I didn't struggle learning these letters. It came pretty natural to me 🤷🏽

[@bartolomejordan7585]

You talk too much ..time passssss

[@Linguistix]

Thanks Bartolome. I'll just assume you clicked on a 15 minute video to hear a really brief explanation haha. Turns out I've got a LOT to say on the topic. What are YOU passionate about?