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ArchivesPronunciation of 'Talitha'
Can anyone give me the correct, or at least the accepted, pronunciation of 'Talitha'? The Biblical usage (Mark 5:41 in the King James Version) gives the vocalization as TAL-i-tha. Several academic references concur. Yet it seems that some people prefer, indeed insist, that it be pronounced ta-LITH-a. Is there any consensus on this, one way or the other? It's such a lovely name with such rich connotations that I would dearly like to know how to pronounce it. Thanks.
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According to the Greek language Bible -- the New Testament was originally written in Greek -- Talitha (ÔáëéèÜ, if you can see Greek fonts) is accented in the last syllable, i.e. Talith-A.
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In the quoted passage, "Talitha" appears to be not a name but an Aramaic word meaning "little girl".
King James's Biblical translators back in the first decade of the 1600's were a pretty impressive and sharp bunch of scholars, and if they decreed it was pronounced TAL-ith-a, I'm far from qualified to deny it.
Personally, I think the word sounds best with a first-syllable emphasis in any case. But hey -- any Aramaic scholars out there among the usual suspects?
King James's Biblical translators back in the first decade of the 1600's were a pretty impressive and sharp bunch of scholars, and if they decreed it was pronounced TAL-ith-a, I'm far from qualified to deny it.
Personally, I think the word sounds best with a first-syllable emphasis in any case. But hey -- any Aramaic scholars out there among the usual suspects?
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The one I know of pronounces it tuh-LEE-tha. I don't know if this is technically correct, or just the way her mother liked it, though.
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I don't know much about the bible, but I would think its prounounced ta-LITH-a
Good luck
Good luck
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