New Joys of Yiddish
- Book Review,
by Leo Calvin Rosten
From Library Journal
On the other hand, the revised edition of Rosten's 1968 The Joys of Yiddish, now the de facto standard reference on this topic, is designed as a lexicon of Yiddish words and phrases that have been, are becoming, or should be incorporated into the English language. The work explores the nuances and complexities of language, clarifying the interrelationship between Yiddish and English (Yinglish, according to Rosten). The lengthy alphabetical listing not only presents multiple spellings, pronunciation guides, definitions, and cross references but also illustrates usage with background information, anecdotes, and jokes, as well as breezy erudition in the form of tidbits of cultural history, Talmudic and biblical references, tips on pronunciation, and thoughtful commentary. These illustrations demonstrate Rosten's enthusiasm and love of the Yiddish language, qualities that distinguish his work as an ongoing, best-selling classic. In consultation with Rosten's daughters, Lawrence Bush, an editor, has updated the original, retaining its spirit and adding hundreds of new entries. The revision incorporates additional material on modern Yiddish literature and culture and updates on changes in American Jewish life and faith. Also included as an appendix is an English-Yiddish dictionary. Both reference works are highly recommended for language collections. Marilyn Rosenthal, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
THE JOYS OF YIDDISH is hard to characterize. Not purely humor, not truly historical, the book is a tribute to and demonstration of the way this seemingly forgotten language invades everyday English language and culture. In this newly revised edition of Rosten's classic, an ensemble featuring actor Ron Rifkin and others brings to life the sprit of Yiddish, with examples of how this language's use of accent and nuance impacts American culture. While some readers speak too quickly, they should be forgiven. As Leo Rosten might say, "What else would you expect?" (Of course, depending upon which word you accent, this sentence, like the depth of Yiddish itself, may have widely differing meanings.) D.J.S. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
From Booklist
Completely updated it's not. And who would want that anyway? What this new edition does is add fascinating bits of commentary to the late Leo Rosten's 1968 lexicon about how Yiddish has become part of colloquial English. More than ever, Yinglish is part of how we speak, not only in everyday words like shtick, shlep, mishmash, etc., but also in the wry shtetl idiom: melancholy, ironic, furious, schmaltzy, smart. Rosten says that language is culture, and in some ways editor Bush's new footnotes give a quick overview of Jewish American life in the last 30 years, including the changes in the role of women, the rise of Reform and other denominations, the comeback of Jewish mysticism, and the rising rate of intermarriage. Bush also adds some notes about the history of Yiddish and its current revival in academia, as theater, on the Internet, and in Israel. Most readers, though, will still grab this for the jokes and the stories, to read aloud and remember and to laugh about for years. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
Read by
5 CDs6 hours
With joy and unrestrained kvelling, Random House AudioBooks announces a smartly updated new edition of Leo Rosten's classic celebration and exploration of the Yiddish language—the first time on audio!
From chutzpa to shmooze, oy vay to shelp, a wealth of Yiddish words have entered common American parlance, rolling off the tongues of Jews and non-Jews alike. More than a quarter of a century ago, Leo Rosten presented the first comprehensive and hilariously entertaining lexicon of this colorful and deeply expressive language. The New Joys of Yiddish went on to become a perennial bestseller in both hardcover and paperback.
With the recent renaissance of interest in Yiddish, and in keeping with a language that embodies the variety and vibrancy of life itself, this new edition brings Rosten's masterful work up to date. Revised by editor Lawrence Bush, in close consultation with Rosten's daughters, it retains the spirit of the original—with its wonderful jokes, tidbits of cultural history, Talmudic and Biblical references, and tips on pronunciation—and enhances it with hundreds of new entries and thoughtful commentary on how Yiddish has evolved over the years.
The New Joys of Yiddish is nothing less than a mitzvah ("a 'good work,' a virtuous, kind, considerate, ethical deed") for those who loved the original book and for those discovering the pleasures of Yiddish for the first time.
From the Inside Flap
Read by
5 CDs/6 hours
With joy and unrestrained kvelling, Random House AudioBooks announces a smartly updated new edition of Leo Rosten's classic celebration and exploration of the Yiddish language—the first time on audio!
From chutzpa to shmooze, oy vay to shelp, a wealth of Yiddish words have entered common American parlance, rolling off the tongues of Jews and non-Jews alike. More than a quarter of a century ago, Leo Rosten presented the first comprehensive and hilariously entertaining lexicon of this colorful and deeply expressive language. The New Joys of Yiddish went on to become a perennial bestseller in both hardcover and paperback.
With the recent renaissance of interest in Yiddish, and in keeping with a language that embodies the variety and vibrancy of life itself, this new edition brings Rosten's masterful work up to date. Revised by editor Lawrence Bush, in close consultation with Rosten's daughters, it retains the spirit of the original—with its wonderful jokes, tidbits of cultural history, Talmudic and Biblical references, and tips on pronunciation—and enhances it with hundreds of new entries and thoughtful commentary on how Yiddish has evolved over the years.
The New Joys of Yiddish is nothing less than a mitzvah ("a 'good work,' a virtuous, kind, considerate, ethical deed") for those who loved the original book and for those discovering the pleasures of Yiddish for the first time.
About the Author
The late Leo Rosten was the author of The Return of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N, Captain Newman, M.D., and countless other books, articles, and screenplays. Lawrence Bush is the author of several books about American Judaism, and is the editor of Reconstructionism Today. He lives in Accord, New York.
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