So, this was the first week that I actually began learning Hebrew. My goal was to learn how to greet people and how to introduce myself. Because I do not have a language
partner yet, I resorted to using YouTube videos. At first, I did not think YouTube
would be that great of a source to use, but I ended up finding a great video
that helped me out and that I downloaded to the Diigo website for other
students to use.
I learned really quickly as I was practicing my Hebrew introductions that I am going to have a very difficult time with the Hebrew accent. Most of the words end with a
certain sound (a sound that is produced from the back of one’s throat) that I
am not familiar using. I have taken both Italian and Spanish, but neither of
those languages required strong accents. French is probably another language I
would have trouble with. Because I did not grow up learning Hebrew, this
particular sound, which is hard for me to explain, does not sound natural when
it comes out of my mouth; it sounds completely forced and to be honest, a
little embarrassing. I spent the day yesterday
introducing myself and practicing greetings with my roommates, and although
they want to help, they could not help but just laugh at me. It actually was
quite entertaining!
I knew from the beginning that learning Hebrew was not going to be easy. I can read the words on paper, but I know that at this point, they do not sound the way they should,
but that is okay. After all, I am only just beginning. My hope is that by the
end of the year, everything will sound much smoother and not as forced. On a
side note, I met a student at the University this weekend who has taken Hebrew
before, so that made me happy!
Here are the words that I have learned thus far… ( I have not mastered them yet, but I will in due time )
My shlomkha : how are you (male)
My shlomekh : how are you (female)
SHALOM!!! : hello, goodbye, peace
Toda! : Thank you
Ve ata (male) : And you?
Ve at (female): And you?
Ma Shemkha? : What is your name? (male)
Ma shmekh? : What is your name? (female)
Anee…: I am
Kore’em lee ..: They call me
Lehtrao’ot : Goodbye
Ekh kore’em lekha: How do they call you ? (male)
Ekh kore’em lakh: How do they call you? (female)
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