English has letters with two pronunciations, for example, the letter “c” in city and cat, or the “th" in this and thing. There are six letters that had two pronunciations when Aramaic was spoken. These letters are referred to by the mnemonic begadkefat.

These letters (technically) have TWO pronunciations. b – g – d – k – p – t ת פ כ ד ג ב These letters (technically) have TWO pronunciations. In some cases, an English hearer can detect the difference between pronunciations; in other cases they cannot. The different pronunciations are marked with a DOT in the letter called a DAGHESH LENE or “weak daghesh”

ב בּ Hard “b” as in “boy” soft “b” = “v”

Still same”g” sound; no difference ג גּ “g” as in “get” Still same”g” sound; no difference

Still same”d” sound; no difference ד דּ “d” as in “dog” Still same”d” sound; no difference

כ כּ “k” as in “kite” “ch” sound as in “Bach”

“ph” or “f” sound as in “phone” פ פּ “p” as in “pot” “ph” or “f” sound as in “phone”

ת תּ “t” as in “toe” Still same “t” sound

A second kind of daghesh… the DAGHESH FORTE or “strong daghesh”

The “weak daghesh” already learned makes some letters soft The “strong daghesh” doubles the letter it is in

Weak daghesh ONLY goes in begadkefat letters Strong daghesh can go in ANY letter EXCEPT Gutturals - א ה ח ע and ר

How can you tell the difference?

מִשְׁפָּט יְדַבֵּר מִדְבָּר מְדַבֵּר Which kind of daghesh? מִשְׁפָּט יְדַבֵּר מִדְבָּר מְדַבֵּר weak strong weak strong