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YIDDISH ASHKENAZI TRADITIONS AND JUDAIC DIALECTS AROUND THE WORLD
g>Yiddish (ייִדיש or אידיש) is a curious semi-Germanic patois, the word literally translating as Jewish. It was also called yoshon-ashkenaz, the Ashkenaz language, but more affectionately termed (מאַמע־לשון) mame-yoshon or mother tongue, distinguishing it from biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, called yoshon koydesh, the holy tongues. Nevertheless by the 1700s it was generally called Yiddish. Yid (or Zid) is a word for Jew in Eastern Europe, so some say the name comes from Yid-Deutsch. It has roots in High German, but is written with the Hebrew alphabet. It arose in the tenth century, coinciding with the coming of the Khazar convert Jews from the east. It became the lingua franca of the Judaic world, with several distinct dialects among its speakers. The Eastern idiom naturally had more Slavic elements. Spoken around the world in Orthodox communities, Yiddish is most widespread among the ultra-Orthodox Hasidic sect. It did not appear in print until the nineteenth century. While the number of speakers and publications has declined, it continues as a Judaic dialect and international trade language. Some researchers maintain it has links to the old, obscure Turkic language of the Khazars, but other linguists and historians disagree. Several years ago, I spoke with Dr. Clarence Lang and Dr. Charles Weber, both of whom were Professors of History and German about the possible Khazarian roots of Yiddish. Both disagreed. But, could it be so?
Read more at: www.gnosticliberationfront.com/yiddish_ashkenazi_traditions.htm
Feb. 2, 2010