Yair Nitzani has a sensitivity to the Hebrew language.
He enjoys noticing its development, the changes that happen to the language over the years.
"I have an ear for unusual things in language, intonation, diction, slang. Maybe because I'm a musician," he says.
He says, "Language is an issue that preoccupies me, and also the change that has taken place in slang over the years. For example, the word 'Sabba', which was very active when I was a child and took a break for about 25 years, is now back in vogue. Two types of salad, sabba? ', Because it's very new, but it's so old. When we were kids we used to say' sabba nuts', so today it's just 'sabba', without the nuts. "To express something different from 'Today's Sucker.' My mom would say, 'What are you doing around like a sucker?'
Nitzani will discuss this issue next month as part of the Hebrew language conference "Leshon Rishon", which will be held from February 8 to 10 at the Heichal Hatarbut in Rishon Lezion.
He will participate in the panel "The Slang Dictionary of Dan Ben-Amotz and Netiva Ben-Yehuda Celebrates 50", which will deal with slang that develops from the beginning of Zionism to the present day.
The panel will be chaired by Dr. Rubik Rosenthal, and alongside Nitzani, David Gurevitch and Bat Chen Sabag will also participate.
"I received a request from Rubik Rosenthal, whose work and writing I have appreciated for many years, and I really like dealing with language and slang," says Nitzani.
"Our panel talks about Netiva and Dan's dictionary, which I remember as a teenager and whose copy is in my library. The original dictionary survived for me like a 'High Windows' record. It kept me very busy."
Nitzani conducts the interview ahead of the conference while positive about Corona and in isolation.
"I'm just fine," he says.
"Moderate flu, some coughs, headaches and muscle aches. At first I was isolated and alone, but somehow the whole family was found positive, so everyone talks to everyone."
How is the fifth wave period for you?
"Things are constantly being canceled. It hurts because this is our livelihood. 'Tislam' performances have been postponed and canceled. We have a big performance on January 28 at the Tel Aviv Hall of Culture, and we do not know what will happen. Everything is in question. My big fear is how "Our lives will be seen in the coming years. Have we been doomed to such a life? If so, it's going to change the world of culture. It's a world based on planning ahead, selling tickets in advance. You can't do anything from moment to moment."
Have you found new things to do since the Corona broke out?
"Yes, I built an in-house TV studio. Two cameras, some flashlights, a broadcast program I purchased. During the closures I would do live broadcasts of my own performances, lectures and conferences, all sorts of things. I performed for Israeli communities in America, and for Americans who wanted to hear about culture and "Israeli music. The truth? It was fascinating to learn something new: to be a broadcaster, a technician, a photographer, a recorder and a teleprompter operator - all in one person. For a person my age, it is challenging and fascinating."
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us