HEBREW INSTITUTION

can be called signs. For it marks certain letters to be pronounced with one sound or another, sometimes strong and increased, sometimes weak and thin. It is threefold, namely Dagesh דגש, Raphe רפה, Smol left, and Iamin right. Dagesh דגש is a single point occupying the center of a letter, marking it to be pronounced strongly and as if doubled. All letters are capable of this, except for the four gutturals and the letter Resh ר.

Raphe רפה is a small line hanging over the letter, marking it to be sounded thinly. Only six letters are capable of this, namely Beghadkephat בגדכפת. First, namely בֿ as a consonant v; גֿ as gh; דֿ as d whispered slightly; כֿ as ch; פֿ as ph; תֿ sounds like a lisping s or a Greek theta θ.

But if they are marked with a Dagesh point, בּ sounds like b, גּ like g, דּ like d, כּ like c, פּ like p, תּ like t. In which case these six letters are with a Dagesh point or a Raphe line...