Learning a new language can be challenging, intimidating, and downright scary. I'm still on a path of learning Hebrew, it feels like I've been trying forever. I get embarrassed and nervous easily when it comes to Hebrew, partially due to an auditory processing disorder. I've taken some classes and have family and friends in the area and also try to immerse myself in books, music, and media in Hebrew. If you aren't able to take an in-person class some apps that are helpful are Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, Italki, and Google translate. Consistency is important and something I haven't always had. Use it or you lose it. Watching movies, listening to music and reading in Hebrew, and speaking with family or friends in Hebrew is a good way to practice. Learn from one of the most talented Israeli women of our generation, Gal Gadot.
I find Hebrew fascinating, partially because it is one of the oldest languages out there, the modern Hebrew today though is different than what is written in the Torah. Hebrew was widely spoken across the Middle East until ~2000 years ago. Some Christian religious texts were written in Hebrew as well. Hebrew declined and was only mostly reserved for religious use. When Jews were exiled by the Roman oppressors reading Hebrew became a spiritual resistance. It was in a lot of ways similar to how we view Latin today, dead since it's not used in everyday speaking.
Close to 10 million people speak Hebrew and about half of those people reside in Israel. It is a Semitic language, coming from the same language group as Arabic. Many people in Israel also speak Arabic, English, and other languages like Russian, French, Spanish, etc. Arabic does share some grammatical structures and some vocabulary but just because you know Hebrew doesn't mean you'll be able to understand everything in Arabic being said or read, same as other cousin languages like Spanish and Portuguese.
Hebrew underwent a lot of work to become the language spoken, read, and written today. Just like English became modern over time. For example, English speakers don't speak to each other the same way as the characters do in Romeo and Juliet "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?"
We have Zionism (a movement for the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland) and Eliezer Ben Yehuda to partially thank for a rebirth of Hebrew. Let us also not forget the 18th century, the age of enlightenment, during this time the study of language rose in popularity. That is partially why you'll notice some colleges and Universities, actually have Hebrew in their logo/crest. As opposed to Theodor Herzl, the father of the modern political Zionist movement, Hebrew was a way for all Jews to return to their ancient roots when making Aliyah (the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to the Land of Israel). Many European Jews at the founding of Israel spoke Yiddish, which now isn't spoken, read, or written in as much. Yiddish is derived from German. There are some groups like Haredi Jews and the arts (think plays, movies, and tv shows) that still use the language. The first Hebrew dictionary wasn't founded until 1959, an incredible 11 years after the founding of the modern Israel Country. Ladino or Judaeo-Spanish is another language deprived by many Sefardic Jews and the language has connections to Spanish.
It is still a good idea and respectful to learn a few basic words before visiting any country. Hebrew and Arabic are both written right to left which means their books to an American reader look backward as the book pages also turn the opposite way. Hebrew is often written in signs in a block form like below but when handwritten is done in a script format. You'll see the alphabet in block Hebrew letters below with the sounds they make compared to the English alphabet. Another tough thing about the language is that the lack of writing the vowels. When starting to learn the language, you'll learn them but over time once the rules are known, vowels aren't needed for writing/reading. Putting sentences together in Hebrew requires you to conjugate (feminine and masculine singular and then plural.
Now on to highlight some of my favorite words and common words that could be helpful while traveling-
If you read my intro (go read it) you'll see I love the word Shalom (it means hello, goodbye and peace) as well as Lehitraot, (In Hebrew it means to see you again, instead of a final goodbye). Let's learn some more!
Sababa- Hebrew, and Arabic word meaning cool/sure
Beseder- When you don't want to be over the top with excitement, more neutral for okay or all good
L’chaim- Cheers means “to life!”
Neshema Sheli- My soul/my life used as affection...this can be confusing as people are warm and friendly and will use this but also people who participate in the gross cat-calling culture.
Balagan- extreme confusion and disorder
Yalla- Let's go! or as the cartoon character, Dora would say in Spanish vamonos.
Ahava- love
Shemesh- sun
Geshem- rain
Sheleg- snow
Baruch HaShem- Thank G-d
Boker Tov- Good morning
Lilah Tov- Goodnight
Chutzpah- The audacity to do something.
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