Aramaic Languages I (Aramaic, Syriac) A [ LGLOR1641 ]

- For level I.1 none.
- For level I.2 the course GLOR1642 (level I.1).

An initiation into the linguistic system of  the Aramaic dialects, especially those of the Persian Empire and Syriac.

Alternately with LGLOR1642, this course is given to two distinct groups of students according to their level. The first term is devoted to Syriac, the second to Aramaic.

For the level I.1 (beginners), the course deals with writing, the linguistic system, the morphological and syntactical structures, as well as a first approach to simple texts.
For the level I.2, it deals with the reading and translation of simple vocalised texts, using the bases already acquired.

The exercises (15h, 3 credits) in addition to the lectures consist of the personal preparation of additional texts and of an apprenticeship to the reading of manuscripts.

Students attending this course during their preparatory year to the Master in Ancient Languages and Literatures (Oriental Languages) will receive specific guidelines enabling them to get in one year the necessary skills as required by the end of the two levels.

At the end of this course, which implies following the course LGLOR1642 also, the student will be capable of reading and translating, with the aid of the basic tools, texts in Aramaic and Syriac of elementary difficulty.

Continuous evaluation, with an oral exam at the end of the year consisting of the translation of a set text or one already seen in class with justification of grammar points.

The course takes the form of seminars: the students must prepare the texts, and their preparation is discussed and improved in class.

The Aramaic and Syriac languages belong to the Western group of Semitic languages. They gave rise between  8th century B.C and 16th century A.D to a vast field of varied literature located in the the Syro-Mesopotamian area.

Aramaic, whose use is attested as from the first millennium B.C, rapidly gave rise to a range of dialects: Old  Aramaic known from inscriptions, Imperial Aramaic (biblical texts and the papyri from Elephantine) and the Aramaic of the Targums.
- Level 1.1 study of biblical texts (passages from the Book of Daniel and of Esdras).
- Level 1.2  study of extracts of the Targums.

Syriac, the cultural language of Christians in the Syro-Mesopotamian region,  played a pivotal literary role with the Coptic, Ethiopian and Palestinian worlds on one side and with the Caucasian world on the other side. It also progressed rapidly outside the Near East (Iran, peoples along the Silk Route, China and India).
- Level 1.1: Grammatical introduction, study of texts from the anthology of grammars, and of simple biblical texts.
- Level 1.2: Study of historic texts and hymns.

Aramaic:
- Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia;
- Fr. Rosenthal, A Grammar of Biblical Aramaic;
- M. Jastrow, A Dictionary of the Targumin etc.;
- G. Dalman, Grammatik des jüdisch-palästinischen Aramäisch (especially for its tables).

Syriac :
- Th.H. Robinson, Paradigms and Exercises in Syriac Grammar, Oxford 1915 (reprint. 1962);
- J.F. Healey, Leshono Suryoyo. First Studies in Syriac, Piscataway 2005
- L. Costaz, Grammaire Syriaque, Beyrouth 19552  (reprint. 1964)
- J. Payne Smith, A Compendious Syriac Dictionary, Oxford 1903.

The lecturers will meet with the students at the beginning of the year to fix the timetable with them.