New Fall Course Offers Introduction to Jewish Languages

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkanss students have the opportunity this fall to enroll in a new course that serves as an introduction ot Jewish languages.

The goal is to become familiar with the writing system and basic grammar and to learn some important vocabulary in Biblical Hebrew, Mishnaic Hebrew, Aramaic, Yiddish, and Modern Hebrew. By the end of the semester, students, if they come across a word in English translation whose meaning is contested, will be able to know where and how to look it up and reach an intelligent, independent conclusion as to how it should be translated.  

Educated English-speakers know a fair amount of French, Spanish and Latin, and are not flummoxed if they are reading and come across phrases like savoir faire, hasta la vista, or quid pro quo. Students at the end of the course should have a similar ability, so that if they come across the phrase, לפום צערא אגרא, they will recognize that it is Aramaic, know where to look it up, and figure out that it means. 

The instructor is Jacob Adler, associate professor of philosophy. The class will meet from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is cross-listed in the schedule of classes as follows:

• JWST 3103-001 (11335)
• WLLC 398V-004 (11992)
• WLLC 575V-003 (11991)

There are no pre-requisites, and no previous knowledge of the relevant languages is presumed.

Interested students are invited to contact Adler at jadler@uark.edu or 479-200-1397.