Re: [ha-Safran] Transliteration question

[Daniel Stuhlman]

Part of the answer is that the yod, as the iota in Greek, and "y" in English can have the properties of both a consonant and vowel.  In the 16th century Dutch printers invented the "J" to differentiate the consonantal and vowel sounds of the "I."  Thus in German and Dutch the "J" is used for "Jakob" and "Joseph."  In German and Dutch these names are pronounced like the Hebrew with a /y/ sound.

For more details read my article: "Why Start Jacob and Joseph With a "J"?"  http://home.earthlink.net/~ddstuhlman/crc71.htm  or http://jbq.jewishbible.org/assets/Uploads/334/334_Stuhlma4.pdf

The answer to your transliteration question is, "it depends" on what system of transliteration you use, whether the yod is a vowel or consonant, and what is your target audience.  Transliteration for German speakers may not be the same for English or French speakers.

I hope that helps.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kerstin Paul
Sent: May 28, 2014 1:20 AM
To: "hasafran@lists.service.ohio-state.edu"
Subject: [ha-Safran] Transliteration question

Dear Safranim

 

Can anyone give me an advise concerning the transliteration of the Hebrew „י“? The rules say, it is to be transliterated as „y”, since it is a consonant. But there are so many cases, where the consonant is followed by the vowel „i“. And there is also the case of the double „יי“.

 

Here some examples:

1)      Should Jerusalem be transliterated as „Yerushalayim“ or as „Yerushalaym“?

2)      What about a name like Epstein. Should it be transliterated as “Epshtayin” or as “Epshtayn”?

3)      And the word “קדמוניות“: should it be transliterated as „kadmoniyot“ or as „kadmonyot“?

 

Daniel D. Stuhlman
ddstuhlman  at earthlink.net
Chicago, IL

Blog:  http://kol-safran.blogspot.com/
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