I'm with you. The "infinitive serving as a volitive" trick also works in Modern Hebrew. My mum had funny stories about when she and my dad lived in Israel, and she tried (unsuccessfully) to teach at a primary school (she had studied teaching in Sydney before they came to Israel).
At the Ulpan, though, they were not taught the regular imperative form - perhaps because it was considered impolite, or less elegant Hebrew? - instead, she only knew the infinitive form - "na lashevet" or "b'vakasha lashevet" (and not, "shev!"). Needless to say, the kids ate her alive.
Now that I think about it, it is doubtful whether this linguistic barrier alone was the reason for her being completely disobeyed. Kids are quick to latch on to any chink in the armour of their teachers, and I guess this was just an available chink.
In terms of the terminology used in Modern Hebrew, I can't really help - I never went to Ulpan or otherwise formally learnt the grammar in any depth. There's a book I'd like to get out of the library on Modern Hebrew grammar, though - I'll let you know when I've read more.
Had a good Yom Kippur! Hope you did too (that's Simon & Jen & anyone else who may be reading ...)
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Ah, swearing in Hebrew...
Date: 2006-10-02 06:24 pm (UTC)I'm with you. The "infinitive serving as a volitive" trick also works in Modern Hebrew. My mum had funny stories about when she and my dad lived in Israel, and she tried (unsuccessfully) to teach at a primary school (she had studied teaching in Sydney before they came to Israel).
At the Ulpan, though, they were not taught the regular imperative form - perhaps because it was considered impolite, or less elegant Hebrew? - instead, she only knew the infinitive form - "na lashevet" or "b'vakasha lashevet" (and not, "shev!"). Needless to say, the kids ate her alive.
Now that I think about it, it is doubtful whether this linguistic barrier alone was the reason for her being completely disobeyed. Kids are quick to latch on to any chink in the armour of their teachers, and I guess this was just an available chink.
In terms of the terminology used in Modern Hebrew, I can't really help - I never went to Ulpan or otherwise formally learnt the grammar in any depth. There's a book I'd like to get out of the library on Modern Hebrew grammar, though - I'll let you know when I've read more.
Had a good Yom Kippur! Hope you did too (that's Simon & Jen & anyone else who may be reading ...)