Aramaic Languages (Aramaic, Syriac) B (partim)

Language

French

Main themes

The 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.

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of the course, the student will have acquired a better knowledge of the Aramaic-Syriac language and its literature. He will be able to read and analyze, by using lexical tools, texts of simple (vocalized) and average difficulty (non vocalized).

Content

The Aramaic language belongs to the Western group of Semitic languages. It gave rise between 8th century B.C and the begin of our era 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.

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

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

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

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.

Other information

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Bibliography

- Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia;
- Fr. Rosenthal, A Grammar of Biblical Aramaic (existe en traduction française);
- M. Jastrow, A Dictionary of the Targumin etc.;
- G. Dalman, Grammatik des jüdisch-palästinischen Aramäisch (surtout pour les tableaux).

Faculty or entity

GLOR