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How is 'Hanukkah' supposed to be spelled? |
Holiday Q&A's
“Hanukkah,” “Chanukah,” “Hanukah”… Is there any end to the number of ways to spell the name of this fun Jewish holiday? Why are there so many ways to write the same word, and which one is the right one??
The answer is that there is more than one “right” way to spell Hanukkah in English. The Hebrew word for this special holiday is written as חנוכה and is pronounced almost the same way as when it’s written out in English. The biggest difference comes in the very first sound, (where you usually see either an “H” or a “Ch” in English) because it is a sound that English doesn’t have! This sound is like a hard sound from the back of the throat. Because English doesn’t use this same letter or sound, it is adapted as either “H” or “Ch,” depending on the speller’s own preference!
Sometimes, Hanukkah is also spelled with one “k” instead of two, or no “h” on the end. Most people widely accept any of these spelling variations, since there is no exact way to translate between the two alphabets!
The answer is that there is more than one “right” way to spell Hanukkah in English. The Hebrew word for this special holiday is written as חנוכה and is pronounced almost the same way as when it’s written out in English. The biggest difference comes in the very first sound, (where you usually see either an “H” or a “Ch” in English) because it is a sound that English doesn’t have! This sound is like a hard sound from the back of the throat. Because English doesn’t use this same letter or sound, it is adapted as either “H” or “Ch,” depending on the speller’s own preference!
Sometimes, Hanukkah is also spelled with one “k” instead of two, or no “h” on the end. Most people widely accept any of these spelling variations, since there is no exact way to translate between the two alphabets!
Language Lessons!
Do you know of any other Hebrew words that use this same hard-sound that English doesn’t have? “Challah” (the yummy braided egg bread traditionally eaten by Jewish people on holidays and the Sabbath) is one good example! Do you know of any others?
What other languages have you heard which have letters or sounds that English doesn’t use? Spanish words using “ll” is one good example – the two l’s are treated like one letter that make a “y” sound!
Certain African languages like Zulu and Xhosa also use sounds English doesn’t have, like clicks that are made by the tongue or the back of the throat! These are often written with an “x” or “q” instead. – COOL!
