In the spirit of spreading the knowledge of this rich language of Jewish culture, we're posting a video by Hanna Amsterdam in which she lists and pronounces 28 of the most popularly used Yiddish words and phrases in context.
We think its a worthwhile introduction to non Yiddish speakers and a refresher for readers who spoke or read the language a long time ago but have since forgotten many of the words.
Hanna deserves a lot of credit for bringing Yiddish expressions to a wider audience. She could have gotten some better advice on explaining and pronouncing kvell, kibitz, and yutz, but 25 out of 28 is a pretty good score.
Enjoy!
A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS: THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS. YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.
The term "shemendrik" is actually not central/eastern European; its source is the name of a character in a Yiddish theater play first performed in America. Or, ask Michael Wex for verification.
ReplyDeleteWe pronounce kib-itz with the accent on the first syllable. Never heard it on second syllable ki-bitz. Always good to learn more Yiddish.
ReplyDeletepoorly done. she pronounced haimish both litvak and galitzianish. which one is it? i think this girl never ever was with jews who really speak yiddish.
ReplyDeleteoy vay. What an accent.
ReplyDeleteExcellent minus 1. A Golem was used in my days for an Idiot. Someone who has no "Seychel" like the Golem from Prag
ReplyDeletelovely and so well presented. Just pronounce kibbitz on the first syllable and we'll all kvell as one!
ReplyDelete