Speaking Jewish: Writing English with Hana Wirth-Nesher
Speaking Jewish: Writing English with Hana Wirth-Nesher
Many works of Jewish American literature, whether the writing of immigrants or their descendants, retain traces of Yiddish. Whether the characters speak it, hear it, dream in it, seek it, mourn it, celebrate it, or just reflect on it, Yiddish has played and continues to play a major role in Jewish American culture. What does it mean when a writer weaves Yiddish into his or her art? How have the strategies and attitudes toward Yiddish evolved over time? Among the writers whose works will be discussed are Abraham Cahan, Henry Roth, Philip Roth, Grace Paley, Cynthia Ozick and Michael Chabon.
Professor Hana Wirth-Nesher occupies the Samuel and Perry Haber Chair on the Study of the Jewish Experience in the United States at Tel Aviv University. She is also a professor of English and American Studies and directs the Goldreich Family Institute for Yiddish Language, Literature and Culture. Her most recent books are Call It English: The Languages of Jewish American Literature and The Cambridge History of Jewish American Literature which appeared this year.