It seems that language often reflects character. For instance, the sounds of German seem to reflect a harsh or strict discipline. People think French reflects beauty. Latin I think reflects nobility. English -- well that depends -- I could go on about that...
But does Hebrew reflect a character? I had wondered about that for years. But I learned Hebrew before there were computers, and I had to focus on learning how to read Hebrew, not how to speak it. I really was not certain of its sounds. However, with computers, there is so much available now to help with pronunciation... and as I practice, I think I understand its character. The Hebrew sounds reflect an expression of the soul. The words come out like they arise from the soul.
Hebrew depends on open syllables (no is open, non is closed -- the consonant at the end stops the air flow), which makes it very emotive. English depends on closed syllables. That raises an issue for translation, I think. How does the translator capture the essence of the Hebrew as an expression of the soul.
Open syllables are fast, and closed syllables are slower. People think the KJV is written in Elizabethan English due to its date. Actually, it is Tudor English, due to the influence of Tyndale on the translators. Tudor English is interesting, in that the syllables are faster than today. And expression then utilized much smaller, less abstract words. Thus, it seems to me, that the English of the KJV reflects the character of language in a manner more similar to Hebrew -- being more a reflection of the soul. No translation has had wider use and a broader impact on the world than the KJV, and one wonders why. I think part of the reason is, that its language reflects character more similarly to Hebrew. But then... what about Greek... maybe, that could be another long post somewhere else.
But does Hebrew reflect a character? I had wondered about that for years. But I learned Hebrew before there were computers, and I had to focus on learning how to read Hebrew, not how to speak it. I really was not certain of its sounds. However, with computers, there is so much available now to help with pronunciation... and as I practice, I think I understand its character. The Hebrew sounds reflect an expression of the soul. The words come out like they arise from the soul.
Hebrew depends on open syllables (no is open, non is closed -- the consonant at the end stops the air flow), which makes it very emotive. English depends on closed syllables. That raises an issue for translation, I think. How does the translator capture the essence of the Hebrew as an expression of the soul.
Open syllables are fast, and closed syllables are slower. People think the KJV is written in Elizabethan English due to its date. Actually, it is Tudor English, due to the influence of Tyndale on the translators. Tudor English is interesting, in that the syllables are faster than today. And expression then utilized much smaller, less abstract words. Thus, it seems to me, that the English of the KJV reflects the character of language in a manner more similar to Hebrew -- being more a reflection of the soul. No translation has had wider use and a broader impact on the world than the KJV, and one wonders why. I think part of the reason is, that its language reflects character more similarly to Hebrew. But then... what about Greek... maybe, that could be another long post somewhere else.