Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Learn Yiddish Already!

Detail of a chile portrait by Chel Beeson 1994 (because I mention colors and shapes)

Remember how in the Wizard of Oz, when our gal’s house lands in Oz, she can finally see all the colors for the first time? Or in Flatland, when our guy, the triangle, begins to comprehend the vastness of a third dimension? That’s what happens when you learn Yiddish, folks. You don’t have to be religious or Ashkenazic or even Jewish. If you have a passionate interest in anything about the universe, you just have to start learning Yiddish right now.

This is the time of year to begin selecting your Yiddish summer program and beginning the application process. Of course I am endlessly enthusiastic about the YIVO/NYU Uriel Weinreich Summer Program, the great Yiddish boot-camp of the mind. You will also want to look into the Vilnius Yiddish Summer Program, the Summer University Seminar in Yiddish Language and Literature in PARIS, and the long-awaited Tel Aviv Yiddish Summer Program. About time!

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

For those who like a little backbreaking labor with their language study, the yiddish book center this year is supposedly opening their program up to people who aren't undergrads and who are beyond begining-level. The catch is that you spend the afternoons hauling books around a hot warehouse.

7:58 PM  
Blogger the chocolate doctor מרת שאקאלאד said...

That sounds like a good idea. I will make a link to this program if I find it.

ps. fermentation lexicon is coming!

8:33 PM  
Blogger Amy W. said...

I can't find any place ofering Yiddish classes in my general vicinity

4:05 AM  
Blogger the chocolate doctor מרת שאקאלאד said...

There is a distance-learning course from the Dora Teitlbaum Foundation--I will try to find a link thereto!
In the meantime, learn some Inupiaq already! I have a link to an Inupiaq online dictionary. Post on foodways coming soon, bli-neder.

3:18 PM  

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