Classical Aramaic [Aramaic]

by Michael J. Bazzi, Rocco A Errico, Rocco A. Errico

Book Overview

Learn the Aramaic dialect closest to what Jesus spoke This college textbook helps the student learn the basics of the Aramaic alphabet, numbers, nouns, pronouns, verbs, and grammar relevant to learning to read the ancient Peshitta (Aramaic New Testament).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: Aramaic
• ISBN: 1941464343
• ISBN13: 9781941464342
• Release Date: August 2016
• Publisher: Let in the Light Publishing
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.5" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Not as great as I'd hoped for

This is a great start, especially for those already familiar with Hebrew. The lessons are laid out in a nice step-by-step format that doesn't tend to overwhelm the learner with too much information at once. However, I would caution non-Hebrew speakers (or those without solid linguistic training) against using this book for the following reasons: The explanations of many of the sounds might seem clear, but actually require some underatanding of how semitic letters represent different sounds depending on their placement within a word. Also, the author's attempts at phonetic representation of sounds is far from accurate. Use of IPA symbols with a recommendation to refer to the IPA chart would have been much more helpful (and accurate!). Ex: "When a dot is placed beneath Gamal, it becomes soft as in Gh." Why not just use the IPA symbol instead? Gamal represents IPA /g/, a velar stop. Does the dot under the Gamal represent a fricative? A uvular stop? A glottal stop? An aspirated /g/? IPA symbols and diacritics would solve all of this confusion. Learning a language isn't just about learning to read vocabulary. It's about learning proper pronunciation as well. This book lacks the latter and that's a real shame, given how difficult it is to find any resources for learning Aramaic. There are typos in basic things (ex: the list of 3 alphabets on page 69 shows the Western/Hebrew "gimmel" actually as a Western/Hebrew "nun"...for a Hebrew speaker this is an obvious typo. For a non-Hebrew speaker it could cause GREAT confusion). As a linguist and Hebrew speaker, much of this book is straightforward. However, without the background in both of these, this book lacks the clarity necessary for a beginning language learner.