Elye Falkovitsh's grammar first published in Moscow in 1940 is one of the most important
reference works of Yiddish linguistics. The new edition makes this rare work available for the
first time since its publication. The work includes a theoretical description of phonetics
graphemics lexis and grammar and provides a comprehensive account of modern Yiddish. A
formalist and synchronic description of the language system is supplemented by passages on the
history of Yiddish and the development of individual forms. A central focus is on presenting
Yiddish in the context of general linguistics. For this new edition the Soviet orthography of
the original text has been adjusted to conform to the now standard YIVO orthography. The
edition includes a commentary that serves as a reference work for the various grammatical
themes considered and sets out Falkovitsh's approach in the context of contemporary Yiddish
linguistics. Our edition sheds light on an important aspect of Soviet Yiddish linguistics that
has been largely overlooked due to ideological prejudice. Four essays contextualize
Falkovitsh's life and work both linguistically and historically situating his grammar in
relation to Yiddish language projects inside and outside the Soviet Union. A new edition of a
previously unavailable central reference work. Detailed commentaries on grammar. Essays
providing cultural historical and linguistic context.
