Hebrew Spelling - Usage Today

Usage Today

Today, there are three systems of spelling used in Hebrew.

1. "Ktiv haser" ("missing spelling"): This system of spelling that may be found in the Torah scroll that is read in synagogue (the Sefer Torah). It is sometimes considered to be anachronistic in everyday life, although it is still sometimes found in newspapers and published books. This is the original Hebrew spelling. It is called the "missing spelling" because it does not use niqqud.
2. "Ktiv menukad" ("dotted spelling" or "vowelized spelling"): This system of spelling is called "vowelized spelling" and "dotted spelling" because unlike "missing spelling," this system shows exactly how the vowels are in addition to using the dots system ("nekudot"). It is rarely used in everyday life. However, it is used wherever someone wants their writings to be clear and unambiguous, such as children books, poetry, language instruction for newcomers, or ambiguous or foreign terms. However, it is very cumbersome and inconvenient in everyday life.
3. "Ktiv male" ("full spelling" or "spelling lacking niqqud"): This is the dominant system of spelling in Israel, personal correspondence, movie subtitles, etc. Ktiv Male is created to be a niqqud-less spelling that uses the mater lectionis (consonant that are also used as vowels: Alef, He, Vav, Yud and sometimes Ayin) instead of the vowel pointers).