The 1953 law that established the Academy assigns us the job of guiding the development of the Hebrew language. To fulfill that role we provide Hebrew terms, for which there is ongoing demand, and set the rules of standard Hebrew grammar, punctuation, orthography, and transliteration, modifying them occasionally as needed.
Terminology
The world’s constant flux generates a continuous need for new Hebrew terms. In responding to this need the Academy prefers, when possible, to draw upon Hebrew words already in use, or to repurpose obscure or obsolete ones, rather than coining brand-new words.
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Grammar
The Academy’s approach in matters of grammar is to seek the middle road between blanket adoption of current usage and rigid adherence to the language of the ancient sources.
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Punctuation
Unlike classical Hebrew, modern Hebrew uses the punctuation marks of European languages. The current punctuation rules, revised in 1992, aim for sparer use of punctuation marks, in keeping with Hebrew’s compact structure, and grant the writer considerable leeway and flexibility.
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Orthography
In Hebrew today there are two accepted written forms, the vocalized (with nikkud) and the unvocalized, which exploits the use of the letters yod and vav (waw) as vowel markers.
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Transliteration
The Academy decisions include three types of transliteration: from Hebrew to Latin letters; from foreign languages to Hebrew; and from Arabic to Hebrew.
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