Introduction to Hebrew Language Studies 3600-7-HE1-WJH1

During the course three divisions of the Hebrew grammar are dealt with: phonology, morphology and syntax with semantics. Initial lectures deal with phonology. First, the consonantal system of Modern Hebrew is presented. Next, the vowel system is characterized. Then, the scriptand the rules of orthography are introduced, after which the syllable structure and stress are discussed. Some elements of phonotactics are also introduced. Then, lectures on Modern Hebrew morphology begin. First, some basic concepts are introduced: root, stem and affixes among them, followed by the pronominal system presented in its historical perspective. Then, the overview of Modern Hebrew verb is presented. Next, the following stems are discussed, the participles as well as deverbal nouns are characterized. Then, the system of tenses aspects and moods is presented, to be followed by characterizing the inflection of regular verbs. During following lectures the characteristics and typology of weak verbs are presented. Then, the inflections of the following groups of weak verbs are characterized. Those verbs mostly hark back to biradical roots or to the forms with assimilated consonant. This is followed by discussing the simple and subordinate verbal clauses and the semantics of the verbal forms.