Practise and mastering of in-depth knowledge of Syriac and Aramean grammar.
Reach some sufficient knowledge to be able to translate any text or documents discovered in Egypt (Hermopolis, Elephantine), at Qumrân, or of all the Targums.
Reading, vocalisation, translation and analysis of Syriac literary texts of different periods and genres (with the use of dictionaries). The texts are chosen each year a new.
Main themes
In alternation with GLOR 2641 the aim of the course is:
- The study of the papyri discovered in Egypt (Hermopolis, Elephantine) and of the documents found at Qumrân.
- The comparison of the different Aramaic dialects (from the first century BC up to the sixth century AC) and specially of the different Targums of the Genesis, with analysis of the special forms of the Neofiti, of Pseudo-Jonathan, of the Palestinian fragmentary Targums and of the Samaritan Targum.
- Reading by means of European translations different texts of Syriac literature (history, poetics, lives of saints, theology, spirituality etc.) from the 3rd to 15th c. written by Christian authors from present-day Syria, Irak, Libanon, Turkey and Iran.
- Grammatical analysis and critically using the apparatus of text editions.
Content and teaching methods
In-depth understanding of Syriac and Aramaic grammar and vocabulary; philological competence and analysis of Syriac and Aramaic texts according to their historical and literary context.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
Prerequisite : elementary knowledge of Aramaic and Syriac (GLOR 1641-1642).
Evaluation : Permanent evaluation. Oral exam consisting in translation and grammatical explanation of a text.
The student can chose between an Aramaic or Syriac text.
Materials to be distributed by the teachers.
Exceptionally, students are free to decide for the Syriac or Aramaic part of the course only (6 credits)