[Avodah] Ancient Ashkenazi Hebrew

[D&E-H Bannett]

I don't quite understand how a discussion about the 
pronunciation of the 'ayyin is entitled "Ancient Ashkenazic 
Hebrew".  Perhaps, the justification is that modern 
Ashkenazic Hebrew does not pronunce the 'ayyin  at all.  The 
question that remains is whether the 'ayyin disappeared 
before or after the term Ashkenazim came into use.

>From my experience, the strong -ng sound is more common with 
the Portuguesim than the Italkim.

In the Hongkong shul, where the siddurim and chumashim 
printed for the Spanish Portuguese synagogue had English 
translations and some transliterations, I was surprised to 
see on the English side of the siddur above kri'at Sh'ma' 
the words "Shemang Yisrael".  In the chumash the parasha 
named "Behangalotekha" drew my attention. These are the 
among the strongest memories of my 1968 Rosh Hashana in 
Hongkong.

As to 'Aza and 'Amorah becoming Gaza and Gemorrah in English 
and the two 'ayyins, d'gusha and rafa:  Note that Akko 
became Acre in English, evidently  because it had the 'ayyin 
rather than the nGayyin.

As part of the same story, note that the cities of Tyre and 
Sidon in Lebanon are Tzor and Tziddon in Hebrew, both with 
tzadi.

BTW, it was probably noted that my last posting about 
Shabbat hamalka was a bit mixed up.  My mind was evidently 
not in gear.  I hope this posting doesn't suffer from the 
same disease. If it does, please  don't be afraid to inform 
me.


kvh"t,

David