OrenH
@langpoljer.bsky.social
Language, society, politics: A personal view from Jerusalem
Interesting! Thanks for sharing
January 15, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Interesting! Thanks for sharing
A quick etymology dive indicates that it's no coincidence that Yiddish "tsibile" (and German zwiebel) sound similar to Spanish cebolla, as all appear to derive from Latin cēpulla
January 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM
A quick etymology dive indicates that it's no coincidence that Yiddish "tsibile" (and German zwiebel) sound similar to Spanish cebolla, as all appear to derive from Latin cēpulla
Excellent! Will adopt
January 11, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Excellent! Will adopt
Like TO point out, where's my edit button
January 11, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Like TO point out, where's my edit button
I would just like point out that sometimes it is, indeed, walla
We acknowledge that no one has the bandwidth for this, but if it helps:
- It’s ‘voilà,’ not ‘wallah!’
- It’s ‘a lot,’ not ‘alot.’
- It’s ‘further ado,’ not ‘farther adieu.’
- It’s ‘flesh out,’ not ‘flush out.’
- It’s ‘sneak peek,’ not ‘sneak peak.’
No worries if not!!!
- It’s ‘voilà,’ not ‘wallah!’
- It’s ‘a lot,’ not ‘alot.’
- It’s ‘further ado,’ not ‘farther adieu.’
- It’s ‘flesh out,’ not ‘flush out.’
- It’s ‘sneak peek,’ not ‘sneak peak.’
No worries if not!!!
January 11, 2026 at 8:18 PM
I would just like point out that sometimes it is, indeed, walla
The hopeless confusion between translators and interpreters (it's even worse in Hebrew)
January 11, 2026 at 8:02 PM
The hopeless confusion between translators and interpreters (it's even worse in Hebrew)
Unfortunately, now every time I hear a positive health claim about cordyceps I just think to myself "RUN don't let it get you"
January 11, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Unfortunately, now every time I hear a positive health claim about cordyceps I just think to myself "RUN don't let it get you"
On the occasion of #HebrewLanguageDay, a shoutout to all those who speak and appreciate the language. Take a word like "Tov" (good), for example, which can be found in the Bible (Genesis 1:4) but also in modern-day graffiti (below: "Most people are good")
#LinguisticLandscape #langsky
#LinguisticLandscape #langsky
January 8, 2026 at 1:16 PM
On the occasion of #HebrewLanguageDay, a shoutout to all those who speak and appreciate the language. Take a word like "Tov" (good), for example, which can be found in the Bible (Genesis 1:4) but also in modern-day graffiti (below: "Most people are good")
#LinguisticLandscape #langsky
#LinguisticLandscape #langsky
You may appreciate this @adamcsharp.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 7:10 PM
You may appreciate this @adamcsharp.bsky.social
Was delighted to learn, during my latest visit to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, that the capybara's name in Arabic is "water pig" (khanzir al-ma'a), makes it sound even cuter
#LinguisticLandscape #langsky
#LinguisticLandscape #langsky
January 5, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Was delighted to learn, during my latest visit to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, that the capybara's name in Arabic is "water pig" (khanzir al-ma'a), makes it sound even cuter
#LinguisticLandscape #langsky
#LinguisticLandscape #langsky
In the Old City of Jerusalem, street signs show greater variation between the languages - more translation, not just transliteration. For St. James Street, the Hebrew offers "James ha-qadosh" (the saint), while the Arabic equivalent is "al-qadis Yaqub"
#trilingual #LinguisticLandscape #linguistics
#trilingual #LinguisticLandscape #linguistics
December 31, 2025 at 2:18 PM
In the Old City of Jerusalem, street signs show greater variation between the languages - more translation, not just transliteration. For St. James Street, the Hebrew offers "James ha-qadosh" (the saint), while the Arabic equivalent is "al-qadis Yaqub"
#trilingual #LinguisticLandscape #linguistics
#trilingual #LinguisticLandscape #linguistics
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing
December 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing
Usually in #Hebrew one would just tell someone not to stick their nose in. But a more literary phrase is taken from the Midrash, "neither your honey nor your sting" (originally addressed, apparently, to a wasp) 🐝
"Lo miduvshach velo meuqtzach"
"Lo miduvshach velo meuqtzach"
December 17, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Usually in #Hebrew one would just tell someone not to stick their nose in. But a more literary phrase is taken from the Midrash, "neither your honey nor your sting" (originally addressed, apparently, to a wasp) 🐝
"Lo miduvshach velo meuqtzach"
"Lo miduvshach velo meuqtzach"
Children of the 80's are out here appreciating the nod to "Money for Nothing" 🎸
December 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Children of the 80's are out here appreciating the nod to "Money for Nothing" 🎸
Once use of the language is inconvenient, that's already problematic - maybe not every speaker wants to make an effort/ ask for accommodations/ stand out as unusual, in order to use their own language
December 15, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Once use of the language is inconvenient, that's already problematic - maybe not every speaker wants to make an effort/ ask for accommodations/ stand out as unusual, in order to use their own language
X, parent of Y is an especially popular format in my experience
December 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
X, parent of Y is an especially popular format in my experience
Fasta Pasta rules... though I notice that in Hebrew they bill themselves as a pizzeria 🍕
December 7, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Fasta Pasta rules... though I notice that in Hebrew they bill themselves as a pizzeria 🍕
In my own (New York-rooted) variety, "pasta" is pronounced "pahsta," so this rhyme doesn't work for me.
But I may be influenced by Hebrew - compare to "Pasta Basta" eatery in the Mahane Yehuda market, which rhymes nicely ("basta," meaning market stall, is pronounced similarly to the Italian here)
But I may be influenced by Hebrew - compare to "Pasta Basta" eatery in the Mahane Yehuda market, which rhymes nicely ("basta," meaning market stall, is pronounced similarly to the Italian here)
December 1, 2025 at 3:51 PM
In my own (New York-rooted) variety, "pasta" is pronounced "pahsta," so this rhyme doesn't work for me.
But I may be influenced by Hebrew - compare to "Pasta Basta" eatery in the Mahane Yehuda market, which rhymes nicely ("basta," meaning market stall, is pronounced similarly to the Italian here)
But I may be influenced by Hebrew - compare to "Pasta Basta" eatery in the Mahane Yehuda market, which rhymes nicely ("basta," meaning market stall, is pronounced similarly to the Italian here)
Does this rhyme in your dialect? I think the a in "pasta" would have to be pronounced as in "past" to make it work
(captured at a Jerusalem pasta eatery)
#LinguisticLandscape #Linguistics
(captured at a Jerusalem pasta eatery)
#LinguisticLandscape #Linguistics
December 1, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Does this rhyme in your dialect? I think the a in "pasta" would have to be pronounced as in "past" to make it work
(captured at a Jerusalem pasta eatery)
#LinguisticLandscape #Linguistics
(captured at a Jerusalem pasta eatery)
#LinguisticLandscape #Linguistics
"[L]inguistics is uniquely positioned to teach us both about what all humans share and what makes cultures and individuals distinct"
@adamcschembri.bsky.social expressed it so nicely, read more here: www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/ho...
@adamcschembri.bsky.social expressed it so nicely, read more here: www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/ho...
November 28, 2025 at 7:57 AM
"[L]inguistics is uniquely positioned to teach us both about what all humans share and what makes cultures and individuals distinct"
@adamcschembri.bsky.social expressed it so nicely, read more here: www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/ho...
@adamcschembri.bsky.social expressed it so nicely, read more here: www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/ho...
Over time, I have become more aware of language in public spaces, and evolved a more accepting attitude towards code-switching/translanguaging at home. That's one takeaway for me from #sociolinguistics: How has linguistics changed your attitude towards everyday language?
#WorldLinguisticsDay
#WorldLinguisticsDay
November 26, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Over time, I have become more aware of language in public spaces, and evolved a more accepting attitude towards code-switching/translanguaging at home. That's one takeaway for me from #sociolinguistics: How has linguistics changed your attitude towards everyday language?
#WorldLinguisticsDay
#WorldLinguisticsDay
The Hebrew word for walrus, "nivtan," is derived from the word for tusk or incisor (niv). It's often mistakenly called a sea lion or sea horse, so keep those pinnipeds straight!
November 24, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The Hebrew word for walrus, "nivtan," is derived from the word for tusk or incisor (niv). It's often mistakenly called a sea lion or sea horse, so keep those pinnipeds straight!
Didn't see this one yet:
Lou Reed, "Perfect Day"
("Drink sangria in the park")
youtu.be/9wxI4KK9ZYo?...
Day 18: Park #LyricsPrompt #LyricsPrompt2025
Lou Reed, "Perfect Day"
("Drink sangria in the park")
youtu.be/9wxI4KK9ZYo?...
Day 18: Park #LyricsPrompt #LyricsPrompt2025
Lou Reed - Perfect Day (Official Audio)
YouTube video by LouReedVEVO
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Didn't see this one yet:
Lou Reed, "Perfect Day"
("Drink sangria in the park")
youtu.be/9wxI4KK9ZYo?...
Day 18: Park #LyricsPrompt #LyricsPrompt2025
Lou Reed, "Perfect Day"
("Drink sangria in the park")
youtu.be/9wxI4KK9ZYo?...
Day 18: Park #LyricsPrompt #LyricsPrompt2025
I just have to keep repeating this to myself and I'll be fine
November 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I just have to keep repeating this to myself and I'll be fine