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Looking for a Good Aramaic Grammar - Printable Version

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Looking for a Good Aramaic Grammar - Karl - 02-06-2008

Any suggestions?


Re: Looking for a Good Aramaic Grammar - yaaqub - 02-06-2008

Shlama Karl,

This would depend on exactly what you are seeking to use it for. Personally, for assistance in translation and some general study, I enjoy some of the older grammars but I try to keep some new ones around because the editors of the older ones didn't have the advantage of today's technology and of course the many discoveries since they were published.

There's a decent overview for various usages available here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.aramaicbooks.com/default.php?cPath=33">http://www.aramaicbooks.com/default.php?cPath=33</a><!-- m -->

Ya'aqub


Re: Looking for a Good Aramaic Grammar - Paul Younan - 02-06-2008

Akhan Karl,

My personal favorite is Wheeler Thackston's grammar:

http://www.aramaicbooks.com/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=103

NOTE: this isn't structured as a personal study or a guide, rather every paragraph contains intense material that can require days to master. More like a guide for an entire graduate course in the language. But very doable. You'll know what I mean when you get into it. If you're into self-study, this isn't for you. But I like the brevity, and the get-thrown-into-the-fire examples.


Re: Looking for a Good Aramaic Grammar - Karl - 02-06-2008

yaaqub and Paul, thank you both! I will definitely look into those.


Re: Looking for a Good Aramaic Grammar - Ewan MacLeod - 02-07-2008

It depends on what level of knowledge you currently have. If you don't know much yet or have only a basic understanding of the grammar, then Thackston's grammar is a good start. It is only an introductory grammar, though, but you need to start with these first. But beware - a key to the exercises is available, but there are lots of errors in it and it is a right pain to use because of this.
When you get to the stage where you can read the Peshitta in Serto and Eastern scripts, you will start to find the limitations of Thackston. A more comprehensive grammar, but still very readable, is Noldeke's Compendious Syriac Grammar. If you start getting serious, there is a two-volume grammar by Tomas Arayathinal (an Indian!) which is probably the ultimate grammar - very easy to read, but also very detailed. Noldeke's and Arayathinal's grammars are available at Lulu at a very reasonable price. I haven't found any PDF download of them yet. Although Arayathinal's grammar is called "Aramaic Grammar" it is aimed at the Peshitta.
If you know Hebrew well, you can learn Aramaic very quickly. I started with Thackston's Grammar, but quickly outgrew it.
Also, don't forget that there are lots of Aramaic and Syriac grammars available as free downloads. Go to <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.archive.org">http://www.archive.org</a><!-- w -->, and enter "syriac" or "aramaic" in the search box. Wow! There are LOTS. They are all out of copyright, and are rather old now, but as the Peshitta hasn't changed for 2000 years, they are still good to go.
I am assuming by "Aramaic Grammar" you mean the Aramaic of the Peshitta. If you want grammars on the "Chaldee" or Aramaic of Daniel and Ezra in the Tanakh, other grammars are available which are better for those particular books.
- Ewan MacLeod


Re: Looking for a Good Aramaic Grammar - Karl - 02-08-2008

Yes, by "Aramaic" I meant Peshitta Aramaic. Good stuff, Ewan. Thank you!


Re: Looking for a Good Aramaic Grammar - The Texas RAT - 10-22-2012

Have no clue if this is PeshittA stuff or not, just know they are available for free.

Hebrew Jewish Aramaic Grammar
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/110603662/27-Hebrew-Jewish-Aramaic-Grammar">http://www.scribd.com/doc/110603662/27- ... ic-Grammar</a><!-- m -->

Introductory Lessons in Aramaic
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/110603695/28-Introductory-Lessons-in-Aramaic">http://www.scribd.com/doc/110603695/28- ... in-Aramaic</a><!-- m -->