Many people who celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, are confused when they see the holiday spelled two different ways – Hanukkah and Chanukah. It’s the same holiday, but why are there two spellings?
The answer dates back to ancient Hebrew and the way Hebrew words are translated to other languages. The Hebrew language has no letter “C,” and the word Chanukah is an English transliteration of a Hebrew word, rather than a translation.Why Is Hanukkah Spelled Two Different Ways?
The Three Reasons
- Translation: the first spelling, Hanukkah, is actually an English translation of the Hebrew word. It is also known as the Festival of Lights, or the Feast of Dedication.
- Transliteration: the second spelling, Chanukah, is an English transliteration of the Hebrew word, meaning that it preserves the sound of the Hebrew word, while maintaining the English spelling.
- Variations: various variations of both spellings exist in many different languages. Additionally, some other spellings, such as Hannukah, are derived from a place in Eastern Europe where the spelling varied.
The two spellings originated in ancient Hebrew, the language of Judaism. In ancient Hebrew, there is no letter that corresponds to the English letter “C,” so the transliteration of the word Chanukah is a more accurate representation of the original Hebrew word.
When translating words from Hebrew into other languages, translators must decide which spelling of the word they will use. Different translators will choose different spellings, depending on which spelling makes the most sense in that language.
In short, both spellings are completely acceptable. There is no wrong way to spell Hanukkah or Chanukah. While the main reason for the two spellings is based on the ancient Hebrew language, both spellings are widely used and accepted by those who celebrate Hanukkah. No matter how it is spelled, the Festival of Lights will still represent the same meaning and importance that it has for so many generations.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.