|
WAW! What is it good for?! The
Jerusalem Post While Edwin Starr asked that question about "war," it is not a question likely to be asked in Randall Buth's Biblical Hebrew class regarding the Hebrew letter waw (pronounced 'vav' in Modern Hebrew) which changes verb tenses and performs other grammatical functions. Instead of the conventional "grammar driven" approach which includes memorizing elusive rules and arcane verb charts, Buth employs Biblical Hebrew as the medium through which the language is taught. "Students may be throwing a plastic sheep in the class after hearing a command like 'HAShLEKh et ha-keves el ha-talmid sham' (Throw the sheep to the student over there), without realizing that the verb is part of the Hif`il pattern. When they finally know a few verbs or forms from these categories they will receive a presentation that organizes the forms into a system. The 'binyan' system that is dreaded by many a beginning student is cut down to size and more easily understood." Buth, who holds a doctorate in Semitic Languages from UCLA, has also studied theoretical linguistics. Further, he worked for the United Bible Societies in Africa for 20 years supervising Bible translation projects into local languages. As such, he believes students must "first hear language being used in a context where it is understood" and teachers should "demonstrate the meaning when new material is introduced." Students at the Biblical Ulpan might present a skit such as Jonah and the Fish in Biblical Hebrew, or watch Buth play all parts as he reads and acts out the story of the battle of Afeq (1 Sam. 4) from a hill overlooking the ancient Israelite and Philistine camps. Buth says some of the students will try speaking Biblical Hebrew on the street or in restaurants resulting in a smile or puzzled look from Israelis, though they are usually understood. Often, he reports, Israelis affirm the effort. "At archeological sites it frequently happens that Israelis will walk by hearing us read a biblical passage, explaining the passage and the geography in simple Biblical Hebrew. Sometimes they are curious enough to stop and ask the teacher what they have just heard. They have never heard anything like it and are impressed to see foreigners take the time and discipline to delve into the ancient texts like this." Oklahoma native Aubrey Alexander, who had studied Biblical Hebrew in a traditional setting, said, "Suddenly things are clear." Previously there were "many ideas and terms and grammar objects that were just floating in the air. This method provided a framework on which to hang all these things. Suddenly, all these disparate things were forming a clear picture. Things were comprehensible." Her husband, Vernon, adds, "Having the living structure of Biblical Hebrew internalized [means that] many of the grammatical structures I was taught earlier, now suddenly have a structure on which to hang. Things that were foggy or confusing have come into crystal clarity." Meeting at Qibbuts Tsuba, about 20 minutes west of Jerusalem, the Biblical Ulpan allows students to study Biblical Hebrew in its original context. This is a vital educational point "because studying a text needs the 'code' [the language] and the culture, history and geography in order to be most fully understood," Buth insists. A real surprise for many, the professor explains, is that Israel is also an excellent place to study Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament. The Biblical Ulpan (www.biblicalulpan.com) and its nine faculty offer classes in both languages.
|