The Weaker the Accent, the Longer the Motif: Gradation in Oranese (West Algerian) Cantillation 

Authors

  • Emmanuel Aïm Author

Keywords:

Jewish Liturgy, Biblical cantillation, Masoretic Accents, Musical Motifs, West Algeria, Oran, borrowings, comparison with different traditions, Moroccan tradition, Sephardic traditions

Abstract

This article examines the Torah (Pentateuch) recitation in the communities of Oran and West Algeria and concentrates on the relationship between the Masoretic accents and their musical realizations. Our findings suggest that the length of the musical motifs expresses the pausal strength gradation of the accents. Possible borrowing from the Moroccan liturgy and shared features with other Sephardic traditions resulting from sociocultural factors are also discussed. The analysis is based upon old recordings (from sound archives in Paris and Jerusalem), transcriptions in ethnomusicological studies and this author's own experience. 

Author Biography

  • Emmanuel Aïm

    Emmanuel Aïm, Ph.D. (2003) in Linguistics, Paris VII University, taught Linguistics at Paris VII University and University of Orléans. He has published on the phonology and morphology of Biblical Hebrew, Classical Syriac and Somali. His interests also include the linguistic and musical traditions of the Jewish communities of Algeria. 

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Published

2024-07-18

Issue

Vol. 17 (2020)

Section

Articles