The Encino, California School Board has declared Jewish English a second language. Backers of the move say the district is the first in the nation to recognize Hebonics as the language of many of America's Jews. Here are some descriptions of the characteristics of the language, and samples of phrases in standard English and Jewish English.

Guide to pronunciation

• Jewish English or "Hebonics" hardens consonants at the end of words. Thus, "hand" become "handt."
• The letter "w" is always pronounced as if it were a "v." Thus, "walking" becomes "valking."
• "R" sounds are transformed to a guttural utterance that is virtually impossible to spell in English. It's "ghraining" "alghready."
• Hard "th" sounds at the beginning of words become "z." Thus, "the" becomes "zeh."

• Questions always answered with questions:

English question: "How do you feel?"
Hebonics response: "How should I feel?"

• Subject often placed at end of sentence if pronoun used at beginning of sentence:

"She dances beautifully, that girl."

• Sarcastic repetition of words by adding "sh" to front for emphasis.

Mountains becomes "shmountains"
Turtle becomes "shmurtle"

 

English Phrase	Hebonics Phrase
He walks slow.	Like a fly in zeh ointment he valks.
You're !	(unknown concept)
Sorry, I do not know the time.	Vat do I look like, a clock?
I hope things turn out for the best.	You shouldt be so lucky.
Anything can happen.	It is never so badt, it can't get vorse.
Could you turn on the lights?	Don't vorry, I'll just sit in zeh dark (sigh).

 
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