HB101 segment 3 (Vowels) explains that holem and holem vav are U-Class Vowels, but the reading in the BBH textbook has an unexplained note (along with answers for Practice Lesson 2B showing) that holem vav is an A-Class Vowel.
I'm confused why the textbook puts them in different vowel classes, since both vowels apparently make the same sound.
Futato, BBH 2.6Beginning Biblical Hebrew
2.6 A basic knowledge of vowel class and length will help you greatly in learning the various forms of words in future lessons. Chart of Vowel Class and Length “a” “i” “u” Long וֹ cholem-vav י ִ chireq-yod וּ shureq Medium ָ qamets ֵ tsere ֹ cholem Short ַ patach ִ chireq ֻ qibbuts ֶ segol ָ qamets-chatuf Very Short ֲ chatef-patach ֱ chatef-segol ֳ chatef-qamets Notes: ○ The vowels וֹ (cholem-vav) and ֹ (cholem) are different lengths and classes. ○ Furthermore, ָ (qamets) and
Continue reading »
- Dr Futato explains the reason in this video about the vowel chart. The textbook uses historical grouping (when וֹ used to make an "a" sound). The Mobile Ed course groups them by the present sound of the vowels.