When you read the title, you may wonder, “What is modern Hebrew anyway?” The history of this language, which we often refer to simply as Hebrew, actually goes back quite a bit and has an important place in history. Hebrew belongs to the Canaanite branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family, and the earliest written sources in Hebrew date back 3,000 years. Hebrew’s deep roots have resulted in numerous changes to the language over time. Hebrew is divided into groups such as Sacred Hebrew, Medieval Hebrew, and Modern Hebrew. Ancient Israelis mostly spoke Holy Hebrew between the 10th and 4th centuries BC. The modernization process of Hebrew started thanks to the work of Jewish activists and linguists from the 19th century who wanted to bring Hebrew back to life. The lexicographer and newspaper editor Eliezer Ben-Yahuda initiated these studies. These people wanted Hebrew to be included in daily life, and they encouraged the production of more Hebrew literary works. They added new words and idioms to the language and contributed to making Hebrew the official language of Israel, founded in 1948. Hebrew, which became a well-established language in the 19th and 20th centuries, is spoken by approximately nine million people today. These dedicated efforts, which carried Hebrew to its current position, increased the number of people who speak and write it. The modernization process paved the way for modern Hebrew to gain an important place in translation services.
Do You Need Hebrew Translation Services?
The deep-rooted history of Hebrew, the different geographies where it is spoken, and its dialects are the reasons why you should contact a professional company when seeking Hebrew translation services. Hebrew idioms and verb conjugations make it challenging to learn and translate. When some Hebrew idioms are translated into English, it is often the case that too many words are used, and errors in meaning occur. In addition, the 22-letter Hebrew alphabet does not contain capital letters, and 5 of these letters change form when placed at the end of a word. So, if you ever need Hebrew translation services, it is best to find professional companies that work with native Hebrew translators and editors.
Hebrew is Important for Israel
The Jewish people have tried to preserve their language for centuries. So, it is a sensitive topic that carries great importance for the Israeli government and the Israeli people in general. The Hebrew Academy works to keep Hebrew alive, and they are responsible for making sure that Hebrew is taught, studied, and translated correctly. Therefore, when looking for Hebrew translation services, this importance given to Hebrew should be considered, especially with translations for which the target language is Hebrew.