A Little Yiddish History and Glossary
Learn a Little Yiddish
Lets Start with a Little Yiddish History
The widespread dispersion of Jewish communities in central and eastern Europe resulting in dialects known designated as "Western Yiddish" to "Eastern Yiddish". The Eastern dialects remain in use today. Western Yiddish owes its decline in part to the assimilation to German language and culture and the creation of the modern Hebrew movement. The major differentiation between the two "dialects" lies in the inclusion of words of Slavic origin in the Eastern form. In eastern communities, where Jews were largely insulated from the effects of political and social emancipation, Yiddish was a critically cohesive force.
Jewish Ghetto
The Rise and Decline of Yiddish
The one possible exception to the sharp decline of Yiddish speakers can be found among in Orthodox Haredi communities largely found in the United States and some European cities. In some communities, Yiddish is spoken at home as well as in school. Hasidic communities of Brooklyn's Borough Park, Williamsburg and Crown Heights reflect a few places in the United States where Yiddish remains strong. Interestingly, while Hebrew remains the language of Jewish prayer, Hasidim have also mixed some Yiddish into their liturgy and have also been responsible for maintaining its use.
Recommended Resources for Learning Yiddish
- Talk Now Yiddish
- Designed for beginners who want to start learning a Yiddish as soon as possible.
- 101 Languages
- Learning to Speak another language has never been easier! 101 Languages of the World is one of the quickest, most effective and fun ways to learn languages.
Kazimierz : Jewish Krakow
Basic Yiddish Glossary
ABI GEZUNT: (as) long as you're healthy
ALTER COCKER: typically an older and complaining person.
AY-YAY-YAY: A joyous, and at times sarcastic exclamation.
BALABUSTA: The wife of an important person or a domineering woman.
BISSEL: A little bit of something.
BOBBEMYSEH: Old wives' tales.
BOYCHICK: An friendly term for a young boy.
BROCHE: A prayer or blessing.
BUBBA: grandmother.
BUBBALA: A term of endearment, (i.e. dear).
BUPKES: valueless.
CHAYA: An animal.
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ChapelHillFiddler wrote...
Hi! there aren't many Yiddish resources on Squidoo so I was happy to find yours. Mine is brand-new - I'm a singer of Yiddish songs and a student of Sheva Zucker's in Durham. Please to make your acquaintance! I lensrolled you.

























