18 Resources to Learn Yiddish for Free
Photo by Amy Humphries on Unsplash
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Yiddish far Kinder
Yiddish for children.
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Yiddish Book Center
This site is a company that collects and preserves books in Yiddish. They also sell books and have a large online selection of Yiddish books.
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Shoshke
It is a site that allows you to download the Yiddish keyboard on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, and other systems. It works pretty well.
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YIVO - Yiddish
About the Yiddish language (you can also search for the Yiddish literature on the right).
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Yiddishwit
Proverbs.
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Yiddishvoice
Podcasts.
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YiddishPOP
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Yiddish Voice
More links!
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Yiddish Institute
It is a site related to all things Yiddish. It is trying to preserve Yiddish and Yiddish culture. They also have resources.
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Yiddish Dictionary Online
A dictionary.
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Yiddish dictionary lookup
A dictionary.
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Yiddish
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Project Gutenberg - Yiddish
Free books in Yiddish (well, there's only one for now).
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Index of /language/Yiddish
Learning resources.
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DJSA
Jewish music.
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Di Velt fun Yidish: Audio Stories
Yiddish audio stories with transcription.
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A Yiddish Cultural Dictionary
A Yiddish cultural dictionary.
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(polski) jidysz
Yiddish literature (you need to scroll down the page).
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About the Yiddish Language
The Yiddish language is a fascinating and rich language that has its roots in the Ashkenazi Jewish community. It is estimated that there are currently around 1.5 million speakers of Yiddish worldwide, with significant populations in the United States, Israel, and various European countries.
Yiddish originated in Central and Eastern Europe, primarily among Jewish communities, and developed as a fusion of Hebrew, German, and other regional languages. It has a unique and distinctive character, with a complex grammar and a vocabulary that draws from multiple sources.
Yiddish played a significant role in Jewish culture for many centuries, serving as the language of everyday communication, literature, theater, and music. It is closely associated with Jewish folklore, humor, and storytelling traditions. Yiddish literature boasts renowned authors such as Sholem Aleichem and Isaac Bashevis Singer, who have contributed to the richness of Yiddish literary heritage.
Following the Holocaust and the mass migration of Jewish communities, Yiddish experienced a decline in the number of speakers. However, there has been a revival of interest in the language in recent years, with efforts to preserve and promote it through cultural events, educational programs, and academic research.
Yiddish is known for its distinctive pronunciation, intonation, and colorful expressions. It has influenced various aspects of popular culture, particularly in music, where Yiddish songs and klezmer music have gained international recognition.
Today, Yiddish is spoken primarily within Jewish communities, often as a heritage language passed down through generations. It serves as a connection to Jewish identity, history, and cultural heritage. It is also studied by scholars and enthusiasts around the world who appreciate its unique linguistic and cultural characteristics.