Who, What, Where, When, Why and How?

Annabel Noar

If you identify Jewishly, are involved in raising children who identify in this way or are in a relationship with someone who does, live in New Zealand and are over the age of 18, you are invited to participate in the first phase of this research!

The first phase involves a digital survey, powered by Qualtrics, that will take approximately 20-30 minutes of your time. You can read more about it by accessing the explanatory statement here, and you can find the survey here. The second phase, which is yet to begin, consists of informal conversations over Zoom. If you want to participate in this phase, all you have to do is input your email address at the end of the survey and I will contact you to schedule our conversation! Don't worry, even if you provide your email address, your identity will be kept completely confidential and will not be shared in any research products.

Your participation will help to uncover how Hebrew is transmitted and viewed by Jewish families in New Zealand, with important implications for our understanding of language maintenance in this context and beyond!

Want to be notified when the results of this research are shared? Click here to provide your email address! Your contact information will never be shared outside of the research team. Your privacy is important to us.

Why Hebrew Transmission in New Zealand?

Annabel Noar

Hebrew has a rich history and significance within the Jewish community worldwide, including in New Zealand. This project delves into various aspects of the language's use and transmission within this understudied community.

One of the key areas of focus within this research project is the exploration of Jewish linguistic repertoires in New Zealand. This includes understanding how Hebrew, other Jewish languages and ways of speaking "Jewishly" are passed down through generations, the role it plays in cultural and religious practices, and how it is integrated into daily life within the community. By delving into these linguistic repertoires, I aim to shed light on the ways in which Hebrew continues to thrive and evolve within the New Zealand context.

The project also seeks to examine the broader academic discourses surrounding Hebrew transmission and use across the world. By engaging with existing research and scholarly conversations on the topic, the project aims to contribute new insights and findings to the field. This includes exploring language transmission strategies, factors influencing language shift, and how the experiences of New Zealand Jews in relation to linguistic identity formation compares to those in other locales, given their small population size.

Hebrew often occupies a special place within Jewish family life. It can be the key to elements of cultural heritage, religious practice and identity performance. Across the world, many Jewish parents enrol their children in Jewish day schools or extracurricular community programs to ensure they master Hebrew to whatever level they deem appropriate. However, New Zealand's small Jewish population means that Hebrew transmission often occurs without this external support, and efforts must be planned and executed within the home domain. This makes New Zealand a novel context for the study of Hebrew transmission and Jewish learning, and one which may have parallels with other small communities that are also geographically dispersed or lacking institutional support.

The revitalisation of Hebrew as the spoken language of modern-day Israel is widely accepted as approaching "miraculous." This reclamation of an ancestral language is a goal held by many indigenous populations across the world, yet barriers exist - particularly in the form of decreased proficiency in the language across generations. This was the situation for Hebrew, yet it was reclaimed and continues to be used not only in Israel but in Jewish communities across the globe. Assessing the successes and challenges experienced by diaspora communities of Hebrew users in this "post-revitalisation" phase of Hebrew may give way to insights applicable to the phase that awaits other languages that are currently undergoing revitalisation efforts. The position Hebrew now holds throughout the diaspora may improve how planning is carried out for other languages waiting to be reclaimed.

Additionally, the transmission of Hebrew within non-Israeli families, where it cannot be used exclusively within daily conversation, presents fascinating parallels with other situations in which parents may wish to transmit a language of which they don't necessarily consider themselves to be a "native" speaker. These situations could include language revitalisation scenarios, post language-shift generations, or even perhaps when a deaf child is born to hearing adults who simultaneously acquire and transmit sign language with their baby or young child. How Jewish families without what is typically considered "conversational mastery" over Hebrew transmit it to their children may offer helpful insights for these contexts, too.

Research on Hebrew transmission in New Zealand is a valuable endeavor that offers insights into the dynamic nature of language use and maintenance within the Jewish community. By exploring Hebrew transmission efforts and Jewish linguistic repertoires, engaging with academic discourses, and sharing research findings with a wide audience, the project contributes to a deeper understanding of where Hebrew sits within the overall values system of New Zealand Jewish families and how efforts to maintain its use may best be supported in New Zealand and beyond.

Exploring Hebrew Language Transmission in New Zealand

Annabel Noar

In a captivating exploration of heritage language transmission in New Zealand, a groundbreaking research project delves into the realm of Hebrew usage within the country. This initiative, aimed at shedding light on Hebrew language maintenance, transmission patterns, and its integration within the Jewish linguistic landscape, presents a unique opportunity to delve into a lesser-known linguistic context.

The project, which serves as a valuable resource for both scholars and the general public, offers a comprehensive look into the intricacies of Hebrew language transmission. By investigating the ways in which Hebrew is taught, learned, and utilized in New Zealand, researchers aim to unravel the complexities of language preservation and evolution within the context of a diverse and multicultural society.

Moreover, the project serves as a stepping stone for future academic endeavours, providing a solid foundation for continued research and exploration into the realm of language transmission and maintenance within small, diasporic communities. By situating the study within broader academic discourses, I aim to contribute valuable insights to the field of linguistics and pave the way for further interdisciplinary collaborations.

As the project continues to unfold, its findings promise to offer a nuanced understanding of Hebrew language dynamics in New Zealand, with implications for the context under investigation and beyond. By shedding light on the intricate mechanisms and strategies employed by New Zealand's Jewish community, the research opens up new avenues for exploration and discovery, enriching our understanding of linguistic diversity, human agency and cultural heritage in the contemporary world.

In essence, the project represents a pioneering effort to unravel the mysteries of Hebrew language transmission in New Zealand, offering a window into the fascinating world of linguistic evolution and cultural continuity. By engaging with this research endeavour, we can unlock the hidden treasures of language heritage and embrace the rich tapestry of diversity that shapes our collective identity.