Hebrew For Dummies. Jill Suzanne Jacobs

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="#fb3_img_img_b7aae5c9-507d-5d0f-a2be-069e91e139b6.png" alt="Tip"/> This icon accompanies helpful tips for picking up the Hebrew language.

      

Think of this icon as that string around your finger that reminds you of all the little things you’ve gotta do but tend to forget. This icon flags important concepts that you have to keep in mind while you study Hebrew. You know what they say: God is in the details.

      

This little guy is by far my favorite icon. When you see this icon, you know that I’ve taken the opportunity to cram in all sorts of interesting information about the Jewish world — religious and secular — in Israel and the Jewish Diaspora (lands outside Israel).

      

Ah, grammar. Can’t live with it; can’t live without it. This icon alerts you to instances where I point out the quirks of the Hebrew language and all those grammar rules that underlie the language’s structure.

      

The website associated with this book gives you the opportunity to hear Hebrew in action. The site features audio files of native Hebrew speakers bringing to life some of the dialogues from the pages of this book. I bet you’ll be amazed by how beautiful Hebrew can sound. Check it out at: www.dummies.com/go/hebrewfd2e.

      

I really tried to make this foray into Hebrew as painless as possible for you, but every now and then, I felt the need to explain things in technical terms. Don’t worry — you can skip the paragraphs marked with this icon and still get all the Hebrew you need for basic conversation.

Beyond the Book

      In addition to what you’re reading right now, this book comes with a free, access-anywhere Cheat Sheet containing tips and techniques for learning Hebrew faster. To get this Cheat Sheet, simply go to https://www.dummies.com and type Hebrew For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the search box.

Where to Go from Here

      First, the good news: You don’t have to read this entire book. In fact, you don’t have to read any of it. (But if that’s the case, you probably wouldn’t have bought it.) Anyway, here’s my point: This book is organized so that you can read only the chapters that interest you and skip the rest. At no point in the text do I assume that you’ve read any of my scintillating writing in other chapters or sections, and I won’t get insulted if you want to read only certain chapters.

      If you’re interested in the religious stuff, by all means, go straight to chapters 17, 18, and 19. But if you’re interested in the day-to-day stuff, or if you just want to know how to ask that cute Israeli out on a date, Chapter 3 may be your cup of tea. Take a look at the table of contents and turn to the chapter that most interests you. Go ahead and do it! Read this book out of order. Skip chapters. I won’t tell anyone. In fact, I’ll never know.

      All right, all right, I do have to add a few exceptions to the read-anything-you-want rule. You’ll probably want to read Chapter 1, which gives you an overview of the book. And if you’re a grammar geek, you’ll looooove Chapter 2. If you aren’t a grammar geek (most people despise the stuff, and I can’t say that I blame them), you may want to look at Chapter 2 anyway. Here’s a tip from someone who knows: After you understand the basics of Hebrew grammar, picking up the rest of the language is a cakewalk. So, consider checking out Chapter 2.

Part 1

      Getting Started with Hebrew

IN THIS PART …

       See the links between Hebrew and English.

       Master the basics of Hebrew grammar.

       Say “Hello” — and “Goodbye”.

Chapter 1

      You Already Know Some Hebrew

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      

Identifying English-sounding words in Hebrew

      

Recalling Hebrew sayings and words

      

Figuring out English words that come from Hebrew

      

Counting in Hebrew

      

Eyeing the Hebrew alphabet

      !בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא (Bah-rooh Hah-Bah!; Welcome to Hebrew!) In studying Hebrew, you’re joining millions of other Hebrew speakers around the world. Its two centers are Israel (of course) and North America, which is home to many Hebrew newspapers, Hebrew-speaking camps and schools, and institutions. You’re also speaking the Bible’s original language and one of the most ancient languages still spoken today. Furthermore, you’re speaking the only language in the history of the world known to have undergone a revival, returning fully to being a spoken language after hundreds — perhaps even 2,000 — years of being relegated to correspondence, literature, and the sacred world of prayer and the Bible.

      Hebrew was once almost exclusively a holy language — a language of prayers and ritual, of the Bible and other sacred texts, and a language above the humdrum of the everyday. That’s no longer true. The same ancient and holy tongue is now the language of sunbathing on the beach, eating dinner, going to the doctor, and carrying out the myriad events of everyday life.

      All languages are portals — openings to culture and friendship, literature, and ideas. Discover any one of these portals, and a whole new world opens up to you. Discover Hebrew, and a whole Jewish and Israeli world is yours.

Taking Stock of What’s СКАЧАТЬ