Spring 2025

JEWISH 120A 004 - LEC 004

Special Topics in Jewish Languages and Literature

History, Structure, and Sociolinguistics of a Particular Language (YIDDISH)

Isaac L. Bleaman

Jan 21, 2025 - May 09, 2025

Tu, Th

09:30 am - 10:59 am

Social Sciences Building 126

Class #:33364

Units: 3

Instruction Mode: In-Person Instruction

Offered through Jewish Studies Program

Current Enrollment

Total Open Seats: 25

Enrolled: 0

Waitlisted: 0

Capacity: 25

Waitlist Max: 5

No Reserved Seats

Hours & Workload

3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, and 6 to 9 hours of outside work hours per week.

Other classes by Isaac L. Bleaman

Study of selected Jewish languages including Hebrew and Yiddish, and Jewish literature including prose, poetry, and drama, from various periods and geographic areas, in the context of time and place. Selections may vary from semester to semester depending on the interests and expertise of the instructor.

Class Description

This course is a linguistic introduction to Yiddish, the traditional vernacular language of Central and Eastern European Jews. We will address topics in Yiddish phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics; theories about the origins and historical development of the language; the properties that distinguish the major regional dialects; and sociolinguistic issues related to standardization and the contemporary vitality of the language.