Re: Hebrew Pronounciation
egordon@nobleamericas.com
Fri, 31 Oct 97 10:50:03 -0500
avrohom.mondrowitz@telrad.co.il> wrote:
<<Since the establishment of the State of Israel, it has become fashionable
to speak Hebrew with a Sephardic accent. The truth is that, though it is
difficult for us Ashkenazim to accept, Loshon Hakodesh was pronounced in a
manner more similar to today's Sephardic manner than to ours.>>
Though there may be a consensus that what Mr.Mondrowitz said is essentially
true, the inference concerning the predominant Modern Hebrew pronunciation
is wrong. In other words, it appears that the Sefardic tradition is more
accurate in the pronunciation of consonants, notably by pronouncing chet
differently from chof, and alef differently from ayin. (I believe there are
other examples but I don't know them).
On the other hand the Ashkenazi traditions appear more accurate on the
pronunciation of vowels; pronouncing the komatz 3 ways, (this I'm afraid is
being forgotten) all different from a patach, and a tzierei different from
a segol.
The problem is that Modern Hebrew pronounced by descendants of Ashkinazim
IS DENUDED OF THE ACCURATE NUANCES IN BOTH TRADITIONS; i.e. pronouncing
vowels like Sefardim and consonants like Ashkenazim!
Note: a) I have not addressed any halachic issues in this regard. That is a
separate and complex issue. b) As Avraham noted I believe that the Yemenite
pronunciation is widely regarded as the most accurate tradition, having
many more pronunciations for both vowels and consonants than either
Ashkenazi or Sefardi tradition.