[HANASHIR:10453] Re: in general--accents

[Ilana and Mark Axel <axelsinchicago...>]

I am joining this discussion a bit late, but
nonetheless would like to say bravo to B. Herst for
your words on this subject.
I truly believe that we have a responsibility to teach
Hebrew that sounds like, well, Hebrew. Anyone who
wishes to change another language should probably
learn it well first. Languages are always influenced
by their native speakers - they change and evolve. But
I don't believe that this is the same thing as singing
composing, or teaching incorrect Hebrew out of
ignorance or convenience.  I for one do not think that
we can develop an "American" Hebrew without truly
knowing the language very well first. And until that
happens, we need to be cognizant of the language in
it's ancient and contemporary living forms. I will
often reject the use of a beautiful song because the
Hebrew simply is objective to my ears. Sometimes a
word accent is so chsnged that the meaning is actually
different from the composer's intentions. Or, I
sometimes play with the accents so I can retain the
song, if I can still stay true to the composer's
musical ideas. When I write music, I double check my
own Hebrew over and over.
Well, that's my bit, so I'm a purist, but I really
believe in what I say.
Incidentally, would anyone like to hear the word
"peace" sung in English and sound like "piss"?
Probably not.
Thanks for your reading time!
Ilana Axel
--- BEBWH (at) aol(dot)com wrote:
> I think it may be important to keep in mind that for
> many of the 
> children/adults we teach, music is the only exposure
> they have to the Hebrew 
> language. I have found that after learning a song
> many people assume the 
> accent used in a song is the correct way to
> pronounce the word and therefore 
> carry that forward into their spoken Hebrew. As a
> songleader I was always 
> taught the importance of knowing the words. We would
> never stand up and teach 
> a song reading off the same songsheet as the group,
> or worse, not knowing the 
> correct pronounciation (or meaning) of the lyrics.
> This is also important 
> when teaching music whose lyrics are pesukim from
> the Chumash or Navi. I am 
> sure we all agree that music teachers/songleaders
> are "teachers" too and we 
> have an obligation to be true to the source. I'm
> sure there are many more 
> examples of traditional songs that override this
> opionion but if we are 
> creating the music it would seem appropriate to do
> it right the first time. 
> In Aleynu we sing the word "Ba'Shamayim" with an
> emphasis on the Bet but if 
> you were reading it you would emphasize the Mem.
> (hum here) I have actually 
> heard Ein K'lokeynu sung with a different or more
> correct accent on the 
> "Atah" but that particular problem is corrected
> through adaptation. Sometimes 
> that won't work. There may be a precedent but it
> would seem more 
> educationally sound to write music that allows the
> most correct 
> pronounciation.
> B. Herst
> 
> ------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> -----------------------+
>