Brought into being by legislation in 1953 as the supreme institute for the Hebrew Language, the Academy of the Hebrew Language prescribes standards for modern Hebrew grammar, orthography, transliteration, and punctuation based upon the study of Hebrew’s historical development. The Academy’s plenum consists of 23 members and an additional 15 academic advisors, all outstanding scholars from the disciplines of languages, linguistics, Judaic studies, and Bible. Its members also include poets, writers, and translators. The Academy’s decisions are binding upon all governmental agencies, including the Israel Broadcasting Authority.

As defined in its constitution, the Academy’s functions are: (1) to investigate and compile the Hebrew lexicon according to its historical strata and layers; (2) to study the structure, history, and offshoots of the Hebrew language; (3) to direct the development of Hebrew in light of its nature, requirements, and potential, its daily and academic needs, by setting its lexicon, grammar, characters, orthography, and transliteration.

The day-to-day work of the Academy is implemented by several sections:

(1) the scientific secretariat, (2) the Historical Dictionary Project, and (3) the computer section, each of which bears responsibility for a particular aspect of the Academy’s work.

The scientific secretariat answers queries from the public on a broad variety of Hebrew linguistic matters ranging from pronunciation and spelling to suggestions for Hebrew children names. It also oversees the work of specialized committees that develop technical terminology for a wide spectrum of professional spheres. Over 100,000 terms have been coined by the committees on terminology established by the Academy and its predecessor, the Language Committee. These terms are available to the public in dozens of published dictionaries and lists. Additional specialized committees prescribe standards for modern Hebrew grammar, orthography, transliteration, and punctuation.

The Academy invites you to participate in the realization of the dream of renewing the Hebrew language.