Note from June 29, 2020
Although we do not yet know how long the social distancing related to the Covid-19 pandemic will last, and regardless of the changes that had to be made in the evaluation of the June 2020 session in relation to what is provided for in this learning unit description, new learnig unit evaluation methods may still be adopted by the teachers; details of these methods have been - or will be - communicated to the students by the teachers, as soon as possible.
Although we do not yet know how long the social distancing related to the Covid-19 pandemic will last, and regardless of the changes that had to be made in the evaluation of the June 2020 session in relation to what is provided for in this learning unit description, new learnig unit evaluation methods may still be adopted by the teachers; details of these methods have been - or will be - communicated to the students by the teachers, as soon as possible.
6 credits
30.0 h
Q1 and Q2
This biannual learning unit is not being organized in 2019-2020 !
Teacher(s)
Schmidt Andrea Barbara;
Language
French
Prerequisites
- For the level 1, none.
- For the level 2, the course LGLOR1642 (level 1).
Main themes
An initiation into Aramaic Languages (Ancient Aramaic, Syriac).
Alternately with LGLOR1642, this course gives an overview about the main historical and geographical features of the development of Aramaic languages and writing systems in the Middle East from the 1st millennium B.C. until pre-modern times. It focus in the first semester on Syriac-Aramaic language. The course deals with the different writings. The linguistic and syntax system will be refreshed by reading various texts (biblical, historical apocryphal, poesy). The use of basic lexical tools will be explained. In the 2nd semester, the course explains the alphabet, the morphology and syntactical system of ancient Aramaic. Simple vocalised texts will be read (parts from Daniel, Esdras et Targums) by use of the basic tools. Students have to do exercises for each course in Ancient and Syriac Aramaic in preparing the reading of texts.
Alternately with LGLOR1642, this course gives an overview about the main historical and geographical features of the development of Aramaic languages and writing systems in the Middle East from the 1st millennium B.C. until pre-modern times. It focus in the first semester on Syriac-Aramaic language. The course deals with the different writings. The linguistic and syntax system will be refreshed by reading various texts (biblical, historical apocryphal, poesy). The use of basic lexical tools will be explained. In the 2nd semester, the course explains the alphabet, the morphology and syntactical system of ancient Aramaic. Simple vocalised texts will be read (parts from Daniel, Esdras et Targums) by use of the basic tools. Students have to do exercises for each course in Ancient and Syriac Aramaic in preparing the reading of texts.
Content
Aramaic languages belong to the Western group of Semitic languages. They cover a varied literary field in the Middle East extending from the 2nd millennium BC. up to modern times. During that longue period Aramaic evolved into different dialects: Ancient Aramaic known by inscriptions, Aramaic of the Empire (Biblical texts and Elephantine papyrus) and Jewish-Aramaic, Mandaean, Nabataean, and other dialects of Aramaic people. From the 2nd century, during the Christian era, Syriac emerged as the main Aramaic language. It developped a very rich literature and was used ibeyond Mesopotamia and Persia as far as Central Asia and India. Syriac language plays a pivotal role for Coptic and Arabic literatures (Arab-Christian and Islamic texts) on the one hand, and the Greek and Christian Caucasian literature on the other.
The course deals with palaeographic, morphological and grammatical structures of Ancient Aramaic (1st part of the course) and Syriac (2nd part of the course). Simple texts (biblical texts in ancient Aramaic; apocryphal amd historical texts in Syriac) will be read.
The course deals with palaeographic, morphological and grammatical structures of Ancient Aramaic (1st part of the course) and Syriac (2nd part of the course). Simple texts (biblical texts in ancient Aramaic; apocryphal amd historical texts in Syriac) will be read.
Online resources
/
Bibliography
cf. la documentation sur Moodle (inscription obligatoire)
- S. Brock et al. (ed.), The Hidden Pearl. The Syrian Orthodox Church and its Ancient Aramaic Heritage, vol. I et II, Roma 2001
- J.F. Healey, Leshono Suryoyo. First Studies in Syriac, Piscataway 2005;
- L. Costaz, Grammaire Syriaque, Beyrouth 1952 (réimpr. 1964);
- J. Payne Smith, A Compendious Syriac Dictionary, Oxford 1903 (plusieurs editions online)
Faculty or entity
GLOR