Course description:
This learning experience helps students build on the basics of the Yiddish language learned in Modern Yiddish (YID-101). Students master the formation of verbs in past and future, in addition to present. Other topics include proper usage of unstressed prefix verbs, converbs, and periphrastic verbs. Formation of comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs is included, as well the format with which to express conditional statements and relative clauses, use of the passive form, use of the reflexive, and many other rules of the Yiddish language. Students learn more Yiddish vocabulary and idioms which should prepare them to conduct basic conversation and comprehend basic texts.
. Course structure:
Course Syllabus
Study Guide (approx. 6 pages)
End of Course Review (approx. 14 slides)
Practice questions
8 credits, lower level
Exam:
50 questions: 25 multiple choice and 25 open ended
2 hours to complete
Closed book
Sample questions:
1. Which of the following is the proper past participle for the verb טרינקען?
a. געטרינקט
b. געטרונקט
c. געטרונקען
d. געטרינקענען
2. Dovid makes the following comment to you:
עס קומט אַ ליטוואַק!
Which of the following is mostly Dovid’s intention by this comment?
a. He thinks you are taking on more Lithuanian customs
b. A Lithuanian Jew is coming
c. The Lithuanian Jew deserves what happened to him
d. Someone is going to greet a Lithuanian Jew
3. Yankel asks you the following:
וואָס טוט זיך?
What does he want you to tell him?
a. Who is ill
b. Who died
c. Who blew shofar
d. What’s going on with you
4. Translate the following sentence into Yiddish:
The older brother reads the nicest.
5. Zissy tells you that your whole class wants to have an extra test this semester. How would you respond in Yiddish to inform Zissy that Rochel and Chanah will not agree?
Answers:
1. C
2. B
3. D
4.
דער עלטערער ברודער לייענט צום שענסטן.
Or: דער עלטערער ברודער לייענט אַמשענסטן.
5. רחל און חנה וועלן נישט מסכּים זיין.