The Language of the Yiddish Tongue and Its Worldly Origins
April 23rd 2007 05:22
Firstly, despite being widely associated with that of a Hebrew origin the Yiddish language has its euro-german origins . Paradoxically it is written and spoken in Hebrew yet has its roots in 10th-century eastern and central Europe. The term Yiddish itself actually came from the phrase 'mame-loshn' meaning mother tongue of German translation in contrast to the widely known Hebrew translation 'loshn-koydesh' meaning holy tongue. As there is a history of a western yiddish and eastern yiddish language which has very different dailectal roots. Take for example 'Schlep' that means to drag something which has its german origin from the word german schleppen.However it has been documented that prior to post-18th century it was primarly spoken by Ashkenazi Jews wihch then spread to european dilelacts. And that is when a western and eastern yiddish dialect actually developed. Whereby the western dilalect of hebew origin expanded and become the most prominently used while the eastern dialect became neglected. For most literature has focused on the western dialiact of hebrew origin while ignoring the eastern dialect of german and slavic origin that still in use today.
For the yiddish language has its many different usages and origins around the world not just of hebrew association. The Eastern Yiddish has three major dialects Litvish, Poylish and Ukrainish. While Western Yiddish includs three dialects as well that include Northwestern Midwestern and Southwestern parts of germany france and Italy. In addition to there being many sublocal varieties such as Judeo-Alsatian.
Yiddish is not just a language spoken and used by those who speak hebrew it has been translated into other non-english languages. For example it has been adapted to the Russian and Swedish langauge. As statistics reveal there over 3 million yiddish speakers around the world. This adaptation includes countries such as Lithuania, Israel, Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, Belarus, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.
Secondly, there has been much controversy over the standardisation of the langauge which continues. The complexity and different use in dailects might explain this and the prejudiced and predominant hebrew of origin relationship the yiddish language as it has become to be known. Moreover there is a much conflict between jewish and non-jewish speakers who use the yiddish tongue, whereby some anti-semitic flares have arose.
Lastly, you probably heard or/and have used many yiddish words with the slip of your tongue. Such as 'Schub' meaning to be idiotic or clumsy, 'Schmo' to describe a stupid person, 'Schmooze ' to interact, be social or/and have conversation 'Schnook' to be described as to made gullible very easily and the list goes on. Another very commonly used word out most yiddish words would be 'Schmuck' to refer to someone as jerk or which literally means in hebrew penis. Including "Yenta' to be a busy-body or gossiper another well known yiddish word. Go figure with that inference.
Here's a mouthful with some more unusual and uncommonally heard yiddish words to remember with their meaning given:
ganif -- theif
kakameyme -- crazy
kvetsh -- complainer
miskayt -- ugly .
nebekh -- little nerd
sheygets -- non-Jewish male
glik -- happiness
pisk -- big mouth
zay -- gezundt bless you
makhn ash un porekh -- destroy
shlemazl unlucky -- person
Just to name a few as there is a another world of a speaking with a yiddish tongue out there.
For the yiddish language has its many different usages and origins around the world not just of hebrew association. The Eastern Yiddish has three major dialects Litvish, Poylish and Ukrainish. While Western Yiddish includs three dialects as well that include Northwestern Midwestern and Southwestern parts of germany france and Italy. In addition to there being many sublocal varieties such as Judeo-Alsatian.
Yiddish is not just a language spoken and used by those who speak hebrew it has been translated into other non-english languages. For example it has been adapted to the Russian and Swedish langauge. As statistics reveal there over 3 million yiddish speakers around the world. This adaptation includes countries such as Lithuania, Israel, Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, Belarus, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.
Secondly, there has been much controversy over the standardisation of the langauge which continues. The complexity and different use in dailects might explain this and the prejudiced and predominant hebrew of origin relationship the yiddish language as it has become to be known. Moreover there is a much conflict between jewish and non-jewish speakers who use the yiddish tongue, whereby some anti-semitic flares have arose.
Lastly, you probably heard or/and have used many yiddish words with the slip of your tongue. Such as 'Schub' meaning to be idiotic or clumsy, 'Schmo' to describe a stupid person, 'Schmooze ' to interact, be social or/and have conversation 'Schnook' to be described as to made gullible very easily and the list goes on. Another very commonly used word out most yiddish words would be 'Schmuck' to refer to someone as jerk or which literally means in hebrew penis. Including "Yenta' to be a busy-body or gossiper another well known yiddish word. Go figure with that inference.
Here's a mouthful with some more unusual and uncommonally heard yiddish words to remember with their meaning given:
ganif -- theif
kakameyme -- crazy
kvetsh -- complainer
miskayt -- ugly .
nebekh -- little nerd
sheygets -- non-Jewish male
glik -- happiness
pisk -- big mouth
zay -- gezundt bless you
makhn ash un porekh -- destroy
shlemazl unlucky -- person
Just to name a few as there is a another world of a speaking with a yiddish tongue out there.
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