Grammar

[Paul Younan]

Shlama Akhi Abudar,

How do you determine when to use the "rwasa" and when to use the "rwakha"?

How do you determine when to use the "zlama psheeqa" and when to use the "zlama qashya"?

The Rwasa is a mark placed below the letter Waw (pronounced as the letter u in rule) and the Rwakha mark is placed above the letter Waw (pronounced as the letter o in row.)

The Zlama Psheeqa is a vowel like the i in fit, and the Zlama Qashya is like the e in egg.

To be completely honest with you, there is no standardization in regards to these vowels even in the eastern community. For instance, in the dialect of Tkhumnaye like myself - we say "Slutha" for prayer (with Rwasa) whereas the Urmians like George Lamsa say "Slotha" (with Rwakha).

The pronunciation depend on the local dialect, which may vary even from village to village! :roll:

So basically my answer to you is that we know how and when to use them only from memory of the pronunciation of the words themselves - and not from any standardized set of rules.

I don't believe the topic is addressed in Yukhanan bar-Zubi's grammar from the 12th century - but I'll check.