Hebrew by osmosis
Apr. 21st, 2003 10:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cellioI've had poor results trying to learn Hebrew formally, and some ok results just picking things up by osmosis, so it's time to ask for some pointers from my Hebrew-literate friends. (Ok, my timing probably stinks what with Pesach and all. If I don't get any replies, I'll try this again in a week. But I'm thinking of it now.)
I think it's time for me to read.
I should probably aim for a mix of children's books (real young children) and books that are a little less, err, intellectually lame. I mean, most adults will tire pretty quickly of "see Dick run", and I'm no exception. I'm wondering if books with simpler vocabulary that are already familiar to me would be reasonable candidates -- things like The Little Prince or some of Aesop's fables or the like. I read that stuff in English as a young child (definitely fables before kindergarten), so it should be possible.
Anything I try to read has to have full nikud (vowels), at least for now. Larger print is a plus. And I'd like to be able to buy it by mail, to avoid funny looks in Pinsker's (or, worse yet, them assuming I have children).
Does anyone have any suggestions?
And no, I'm not interested in reading Harry Potter in Hebrew. Didn't read it in English; don't want to read it in another language. And anyway, it doesn't have nikud. :-)
I think it's time for me to read.
I should probably aim for a mix of children's books (real young children) and books that are a little less, err, intellectually lame. I mean, most adults will tire pretty quickly of "see Dick run", and I'm no exception. I'm wondering if books with simpler vocabulary that are already familiar to me would be reasonable candidates -- things like The Little Prince or some of Aesop's fables or the like. I read that stuff in English as a young child (definitely fables before kindergarten), so it should be possible.
Anything I try to read has to have full nikud (vowels), at least for now. Larger print is a plus. And I'd like to be able to buy it by mail, to avoid funny looks in Pinsker's (or, worse yet, them assuming I have children).
Does anyone have any suggestions?
And no, I'm not interested in reading Harry Potter in Hebrew. Didn't read it in English; don't want to read it in another language. And anyway, it doesn't have nikud. :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2003-04-21 08:39 pm (UTC)First thing that springs to mind is, online bookstores in Israel? Should have children's books available. Also, any books with english on one page and the hebrew text on the other so you can read them at the same time? Beware of the very basic children's books with just a few words and pictures, as they really don't do the trick for adults (found that out with some Welsh ones I tried). Comic books maybe?
Personally, I'd at least check out the books in a real bookshop if possible to assess the level, even if you then go on to get them online - you could always be buying them for a friends kids though, being a generous auntie or something.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-04-22 06:32 am (UTC)Very good idea. That's actually how I generally follow Torah readings; I listen to the Hebrew, follow in the English, and glance across to the Hebrew as much as possible.
Comic books sound like fun, too!
(no subject)
Date: 2003-04-22 07:13 am (UTC)