The sound of Hebrew

[Óttar]

I've always found it interesting that one of the main differences between Arabic and Hebrew is Arabs say "S" while Israelis say "Sh" eg Salaam/Shalom.

Is that like a Sibboleth?

[Anglojew]

Is that like a Sibboleth?

Indeed.

[curupira]

3 other famous songs in Hebrew:

[hobosmurf]

Yiddish sounds better because it's not an artificial language imo

[Farah]

I've always found it interesting that one of the main differences between Arabic and Hebrew is Arabs say "S" while Israelis say "Sh" eg Salaam/Shalom. There's a similar split between English and German along the same lines eg Sleep/Schlafen. Doesn't mean anything but it's weird.

Hebrew also seems to emphasize the 'kh' sounds more.

Common words between Arabic & Hebrew: http://www.mideastweb.org/arabic_hebrew_eng.htm

[curupira]

Another nice song, to appreciate the sound of Hebrew, this old & interesting Semitic language...

[curupira]

Songs are a nice way to get a glimpse on a language, the song "Al Kol Ele" with English and Hebrew subtitles:

[Yaroslav]

I am learning Hebrew right now and I absolutely agree that the language is the most sublime thing I have ever heard. For those who don't know, Hebrew was the original language of mankind before the Tower of Babel confusion. If you read the Book of Genesis, all of the persons before Tower of Babel had Hebrew names that have literal Hebrew meanings.

[curupira]

The song Shalom Aleichem, with English translation (I wonder how much Arabic speakers could understand):

Shalom aleichem, malachei hasharet, malachei Elyon, mimelech malchei ham'lachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu
Shalom upon you, O ministering angels, angels of the Exalted One--from the King Who reigns over kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He

Bo-achem l'shalom, malachei ha-shalom, malachei Elyon, mimelech malchei ham'lachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu
May your coming be for shalom, O angels of shalom, angels of the Exalted One--from the King Who reigns over kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He.

Bar'chuni l'shalom, malachei hashalom, malachei Elyon, mimelech malchei ham'lachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu
Bless me for shalom, O angels of shalom, angels of the Exalted One--from the King Who reigns over kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He.

Tzeit'chem l'shalom, malachei hashalom, malachei Elyon, mimelech malchei ham'lachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu
May your departure be to shalom, O angels of shalom, angels of the Exalted One--from the King who reigns over kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He.

[Yehiel]

Yes Hebrew most beautiful language