The Begedkephat Letters (Printer Version) Hebrew Consonants The Begedkephat Letters Six Hebrew letters you have studied, namely, Bet, Gimmel, Dalet, Kaf, Pey, and Tav may appear with or without a dot placed within them. This dot is called a "Dagesh Kal" (or Dagesh Lene). For example: Collectively these letters are sometimes called "Begedkephat letters" as an acronym for the names of letters: If one of these six letters has a Dagesh Kal mark it will have a hard pronunciation, otherwise it has a softer pronunciation. However, in modern Hebrew, only three letters change their sound when there is no dot inside: Bet, Kaf, and Pey (the other three letters are pronounced exactly the same as their non-dotted cousins). Consequently you only need to remember to pronounce these three letters differently when they do not have the Dagesh Kal mark: Notes: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_On...hat_Letters/Printer_Version/printer_version.html (1 of 3) [6/28/2013 11:11:16 PM] .e.e. Northern Africa.1. ● Remember: Only three letters change their sound when there is a dot inside: the other three Begedkephat letters are pronounced exactly the same as their non-dotted cousins: http://www. the Hebrew is read right to left (i. you already know these letters and how to write them. If you have already studied Section 1.hebrew4christians. Ashkenazi pronunciation of Tav . In this book we will use the Sephardic pronunciation since it is the one used in the land of Israel. The presence or the absence of the dot only affects the way you will pronounce the word. and Israel).without the Dagesh Kal ..com/Grammar/Unit_On.. For example. for example.The Begedkephat Letters (Printer Version) ● In the table above..e. is simply the letter Bet without the dot (i. Dagesh Kal) inside. ּב/ )בwhereas the English is read left to right (i.is pronounced as a "s" sound..html (2 of 3) [6/28/2013 11:11:16 PM] . The letter Vet. ● Use the acronym BaKPak to remember the three letters that change their sound. ● ● Ashkenazi Jews (those Jews of Eastern European descent) tend to pronounce the Aleph-Bet differently that Sephardic Jews (those Jews of Spain.hat_Letters/Printer_Version/printer_version. Bet/Vet). hebrew4christians. At the beginning of a word or 2. if there is no vowel preceding it (e.html (3 of 3) [6/28/2013 11:11:16 PM] . it will only appear if it opens a syllable. Its purpose is to form a new sound and not to notify us of any missing letters.g. In other words. Return to Unit One Hebrew for Christians Copyright John J. The Dagesh Kal is just another pronunciation of a letter. While the Dagesh Chazak tells us of a missing letter the Dagesh Kal does not. Dalet. Finally. then the dagesh is Kal and not Chazak. Pey. Most commentaries are of the opinion that the Dagesh Kal is different then the Dagesh Chazak. the letter starts a syllable or word)..com/Grammar/Unit_On. though the Dagesh Chazak will appear identical to the Dagesh Kal. Gimmel. these Begedkephat letters may also have a Dagesh Chazak. Parsons www. After a Sheva Nach (silent sheva) In other words. http://www.hebrew4christians.The Begedkephat Letters (Printer Version) Advanced Grammatical Information The Dagesh Kal only appears in these six letters (Bet. and Tav) and will only appear: 1.. The rule of thumb is this: if the Begedkephat letter has a vowel preceding it. This should be clearer after you have finished Unit 3. the dagesh is Chazak instead of Kal.hat_Letters/Printer_Version/printer_version.com All rights reserved. Kaf..