Friday, ArgIst 25, 1918
THE DEBTiTrEWISN NEWS
Yiddish as an Influence on Generations
Outlined in New Dictionary-Proverbs Book
Yiddish has become a sub-
ject for dispute. The rich lit-
erature of what had been
the language for millions of
Jews, the tongue that
helped establish contacts
for Jews throughout the
world as the common
medium of expression for so
many, now struggles for
survival.
Therefore, the emphasis
on its needs, the urge for the
inclusion of the language in
the curricula of univer-
sities, the actual introduc-
tion of Yiddish into the
media as an enriching
means of acquiring Jewish
knowledge.
While the language is a
subject for study in many
universities, in most it is
Yiddish literature in trans-
lation that is taught and
discussed. It is questionable
whether many who take the
Yiddish courses in colleges
and in synagogue study
groups actually learn to
read and write the lan-
guage.
Yet, there is a craving for
the language, and urgent
desire to resort to Yiddish
terms, to quote Yiddish say-
ings.
Unfortunately, in the
process there was a vulgari-
zation and lovers of Yiddish
as a classic language have
resented it.
Now, a responsibily accu-
rate approach to Yiddish, its
interpretation, the proper
translations and the most
popular proverbs are made
available in a volume
marked by accuracy.
"A Yiddish Word Book for
English Speaking People"
(Van Nostrand Reinhold)
has the special and most
important merit of having
been written by a know-
ledgable man who has made
a deep study of the subject,
who proves to be a very able
compiler and who em-
phasized the dignity of the
language he deals with and
makes his anthological ef-
forts a labor of love.
Samuel Rosenbaum ∎ is a
Rochester, N.Y., cantor who
has established an enviable
record as a translator of
Yiddish poetry and is him-
sel f an outstanding poet and
author of notable textbooks
widely used in Jewish
schools throughout the
country. He has prepared
important texts for musical
programs that were pre-
sented on national televi-
sion.
In this book. Rosenbaum
has incorporated more than
2,000 Yiddish entries. They
include not only commonly
used words but also folk ex-
pressions, idioms, proverbs
and many other related to-
pics.
Notably, to the credit of
Rosenbaum's efforts, he
aims at and achieves in av-
oiding "contamination," as
he indicates in his
explanatory introduction.
Thus, he rejects vulgarities.
There is a substitute for
everything except the wife
of your youth.
— Talmud
His efforts are accom-
panied by effective translit-
erations based on the usage
used and recommended by
YIVO, the famed Yiddish
institute.
Translations provided in
the thousands of entries in
this book are from Yiddish
into English and also from
English into Yiddish.
Predominance of Heb-
raisms, Russian and Polish
terms in the language now
are implemented by many
English words that have be-
come part of Yiddish usage.
The author gives this factor
due consideration.
In addition to the words
and proverbs there are
these additional items ap-
pearing as features to be
noted: explanations of the
Jewish calendar, a list of
blessings and curses, Yid-
dish grammar definitions,
the historical background of
Yiddish, whose beginnings
are traced to the 13th Cen-
tury, aphorisms and say-
ings derived from legacies
that provide humor as well
as knowledgeability about
Yiddish and the people
using the language.
The best way to under-
stand the book and to ap-
preciate it is by reproducing
some of the texts, translated
words, proverbs and
aphorisms like the follow-
ing:
Jewish Proverbs
a beyze tsung iz erger fun a
shlekhter hant.
An angry tongue is worse
than an evil hand.
a foyl'n iz ugt tsu shik'n
noch dem malakhamoves.
Send a lazy man to fetch the
Angel of Death.
a groyser oylem un nito
kayn mensh.
A big crowd— but not a sin-
ble human being.
HAIH
ISERMAN
dad
has earned gratitude for his
labors.
Consultation
Licensed Electrologist
private and confidential by appointment
358-5493
Israeli Teachers
Threaten Strike
TEL AVIV (JTA) — Is-
raeli schools are scheduled
to reopen Sept. 1 but school
children may have a longer
summer vacation than
planned as the teachers are
threatening a strike.
a guter mensh nor der
beyzer hunt lost nit tsu tsu
im.
He's a fine fellow but his
mad dog won't let you near
him.
LIFETIME GUARANTEE ON MUFFLERS & SHOCKS
As Long As You Own Your Car
10520 W. 7 Mile Rd. at Mendota
DON'T WAIT
STILL A GREAT
SELECTION OF
NEW PONTIACS
AND G.M.C. TRUCKS
Yiddish Words
border (geogr.), gre-nets (di)
bore, nud-nik (der)
burn, ge-boy-r'n
born loser, shle-ma-z1 (der)
boss, ba-le-bos (der)
both, bey-de
(to) bother, nudg-'n, mu-
tsh-'n
bottom line, takh-lis (der)
bow tie, shnips (der)
box, kast-'n. (der)
AL STEINBER
ART MORAN PONTIAC
"A Yiddish Word Book for
English Speaking People" is
both a delight and a means
of learning from the result
of excellent research and
commendable anthological
labors. Samuel Rosenbaum
29300 TELEGRAPH
JUST NORTH OF TEL-TWELVE MALL
353-9000
BOTH SALES
ENDING SOON!
This is your last chance to save as Gorman's sale enters its
final week. So hurry to Gorman's Troy and save up to 20% on
103 settings of Drexel and Heritage...or to Gorman's in South-
field and save up .to 50% on the big international names. Better
yet, come to both stores and really save!
Sale ends Labor Day!
THE GREAT MIDSUMMER SALE AT
0
GORMAN'S TROY
The Drexel Heritage Showcase
W. BIG BEAVER AT CROOKS, TROY
Phone 649-2070
Open Daily 10 to 6. Mon.. Thurs . Fr. till 9.
Sun. Noon to 5 - 30
GORMAN'S GALLERY
of Fine Furniture
TELEGRAPH AT 12 MILE, SOUTHFIELD
Phone 353-9880
Open Daily 10 to 6. Mon.. Thurs.. Fr.. till 9.
Closed Sundays.
Bed,om turmture not available at Telegraph Rd store
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