Eshu', Eshoa, or Eshua (Calling Brother Paul)

[Paul Younan]

"Yeshua" is the least messy transliteration in my opinion, and produces the closest, consistent approximation over a wide range of speakers.

I love that - least messy <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

There's no getting around the fact that certain Semitic sounds are not made in English, and therefore are not represented by the Latin alphabet we use. The worst thing to do is to adapt the pronunciation to the limitations of a foreign alphabet and vocalization.

I've not heard anyone who reads "Yeshua" pronounce the Ayin properly. Proper pronunciation of the Aleph-Beth is critical. English speakers simply have no equivalent sound. (count Tsade, Qoph and Teth among the letters that are unpronounceable to most English speakers, and which have no cognate in the Latin alphabet.)

Tsade is not a simple "ts" sound. Qoph is not a simple "Q" sound. Teth certainly isn't a "T". Ayin, forget about it - you have to practice for years to get it right.

+Shamasha

[bar Sinko]

I'm intrigued. I think I can make reasonably correct Tsades, Qophs, and even Ayins, but I don't know how Teth differs from Tau or any other T sound.

bar Sinko

[Paul Younan]

I'm intrigued. I think I can make reasonably correct Tsades, Qophs, and even Ayins, but I don't know how Teth differs from Tau or any other T sound.

bar Sinko

Shlama Akhi,

The distinction between Taw and Teth is very marked. It's one of the errors that warranted a whack with the ruler over your knuckles in school, if you misread a word with that letter in it. I had many sore knuckles as a child in Aramaic classes.

How do you want to learn the difference?

See Mark 8:38 for "kha+ayta" (feminine for "sinner", with the + sign representing the Teth) for an example of a word with both letters in it. How would you expect that word to be pronounced? Should I make a sound recording and upload it ?

+Shamasha

[ScorpioSniper2]

Hey, Brother Paul. Would you mind if I sent you the first chapter of my "Etheridge 2.0" and tell me what you think?

[Paul Younan]

Hey, Brother Paul. Would you mind if I sent you the first chapter of my "Etheridge 2.0" and tell me what you think?

Sure, send it along.

+Shamasha

[ScorpioSniper2]

I appreciate it, Brother. I need all the help I can get <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/laugh.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laugh" /><!-- s:lol: -->

Well screw it, I think for now I'm gonna use Eshoa. Is that fine for a spelling/pronunciation?

[Thirdwoe]

lol....

[ScorpioSniper2]

HEY! What's so funny? ROFL

[Paul Younan]

I appreciate it, Brother. I need all the help I can get <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/laugh.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laugh" /><!-- s:lol: -->

Well screw it, I think for now I'm gonna use Eshoa. Is that fine for a spelling/pronunciation?

We have no choice in Latin chars, Brother. We can spell it any number of ways and none will represent the right sound.

As for pronunciation, if you find yourself pronouncing in any way the letter A/a in English (long or short), then you are pronouncing it incorrectly. There is no "A" sound (at all, zip/zero) in His Name.

+Shamasha

[ScorpioSniper2]

For Eshu/Eshoa, I pronounce it was "Ee-shoo" or "Ee-show" (as in the word "show").