Difference between revisions of "Syriac"

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topic_name = Syriac |
 
topic_name = Syriac |
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subtopics = [[Aramaic]] |
 
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
 
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'''Syriac''' is the most important later dialect of the [[Aramiac]] language. It originated in the city-state of [[Edessa]] in Northern Syria.  It is first recorded in inscriptions written in the monumental [[Estrangelo]] script in the 2nd century BC.  All extant literature is Christian.  The earliest material dates from the 2nd century AD.  Syriac spread widely throughout the Near-East, and into Persia.  It was at its widest extent during the 7th century AD. The Arab conquest during that time meant that thereafter it declined and was replaced by Arabic in popular use.  The literary period ends in the 13th century, when Syria was devastated by the Mongols.  However oral use has continued to our own day. The Syriac dialect of Turoyo is spoken today in the plain of Tur Abdin in South-Eastern Turkey.
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'''Syriac''' is the most important later dialect of the [[Aramaic]] language. Today it is still used as the language in some [[Syriac Orthodoxy|Syriac Orthodox]] church services.
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===History===
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The Syriac language originated in the city-state of [[Edessa]] in Northern Syria.  It is first recorded in inscriptions written in the monumental [[Estrangelo]] script in the 2nd century BC.  All extant literature is Christian.  The earliest material dates from the 2nd century AD.  Syriac spread widely throughout the Near-East, and into Persia.  It was at its widest extent during the 7th century AD. The Arab conquest during that time meant that thereafter it declined and was replaced by Arabic in popular use.  The literary period ends in the 13th century, when Syria was devastated by the Mongols.  However oral use has continued to our own day. The Syriac dialect of Turoyo is spoken today in the plain of Tur Abdin in South-Eastern Turkey.
  
 
During the 6th century the language began to diverge into Eastern and Western dialects.  This was related to the ecclesiastical splits of the period following the Council of Ephesus in [[433]] (which condemned the Nestorians) and the Council of Chalcedon in [[450]] (which condemned the monophysites).   
 
During the 6th century the language began to diverge into Eastern and Western dialects.  This was related to the ecclesiastical splits of the period following the Council of Ephesus in [[433]] (which condemned the Nestorians) and the Council of Chalcedon in [[450]] (which condemned the monophysites).   
  
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The East Syriac dialect and script is used by the [[Nestorian]]s, based in Persia, who spread the gospel along the Silk Route as far as China in the 7th century.  A stele in Chinese and Syriac dated 781 AD was found in Xi'an<ref>[http://www.nestorian.org/a_bird_s_eye_view_of_the_syria.html A Bird's Eye View of the Syriac Language and Literature] from [http://www.nestorian.org|Nestorian.org]</ref>.  Modern Mongolian is still written in Syriac letters.  East Syriac script represents vowels by clouds of dots above and below the letters, when vowels are written at all.
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The East Syriac dialect and script is used by the [[Nestorian]]s, based in Persia, who spread the gospel along the Silk Route as far as China in the 7th century.  A stele in Chinese and Syriac dated 781 AD was found in Xi'an<ref>[http://www.nestorian.org/a_bird_s_eye_view_of_the_syria.html A Bird's Eye View of the Syriac Language and Literature] from [http://www.nestorian.org Nestorian.org]</ref>.  Modern Mongolian is still written in Syriac letters.  East Syriac script represents vowels by clouds of dots above and below the letters, when vowels are written at all.
  
 
The West Syriac dialect is used by the [[Monophysite]]s.  This uses the Serto script.  One innovation by [[Jacob of Edessa]] was the use of tiny Greek vowels written above and below the line to represent vowels.  He also sought to get vowels written on the line like consonants, but in vain.  West Syriac contains the richest collection of material translated from Greek.
 
The West Syriac dialect is used by the [[Monophysite]]s.  This uses the Serto script.  One innovation by [[Jacob of Edessa]] was the use of tiny Greek vowels written above and below the line to represent vowels.  He also sought to get vowels written on the line like consonants, but in vain.  West Syriac contains the richest collection of material translated from Greek.
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As knowledge of Syriac declined, and as pressure from Islam grew, [[Garshuni]] came into existence.  This is Arabic, but written using Syriac script, in order to conceal the contents from possible Muslem persecutors.
 
As knowledge of Syriac declined, and as pressure from Islam grew, [[Garshuni]] came into existence.  This is Arabic, but written using Syriac script, in order to conceal the contents from possible Muslem persecutors.
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===Use today===
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===Alphabet===
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===Grammar===
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==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
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* [http://www.premiumwanadoo.com/cuneiform.languages/syriac/ Syriac-English-French Online Dictionary]- limited  
 
* [http://www.premiumwanadoo.com/cuneiform.languages/syriac/ Syriac-English-French Online Dictionary]- limited  
  
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==Miscellaneous Links==
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===Miscellaneous Links===
 
* [http://www.bethmardutho.org/ Beth Mardutho — The Syriac Institute]
 
* [http://www.bethmardutho.org/ Beth Mardutho — The Syriac Institute]
 
* [http://syrcom.cua.edu/hugoye/ Hugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies]
 
* [http://syrcom.cua.edu/hugoye/ Hugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies]
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{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian literature, art, music and media]] -> [[Christian literature]] -> [[Ancient Languages Index]]
 
{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian literature, art, music and media]] -> [[Christian literature]] -> [[Ancient Languages Index]]
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[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Latest revision as of 19:22, 22 May 2009

Syriac
RELATED TOPICS
SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS
CONTENTS

Syriac is the most important later dialect of the Aramaic language. Today it is still used as the language in some Syriac Orthodox church services.

History

The Syriac language originated in the city-state of Edessa in Northern Syria. It is first recorded in inscriptions written in the monumental Estrangelo script in the 2nd century BC. All extant literature is Christian. The earliest material dates from the 2nd century AD. Syriac spread widely throughout the Near-East, and into Persia. It was at its widest extent during the 7th century AD. The Arab conquest during that time meant that thereafter it declined and was replaced by Arabic in popular use. The literary period ends in the 13th century, when Syria was devastated by the Mongols. However oral use has continued to our own day. The Syriac dialect of Turoyo is spoken today in the plain of Tur Abdin in South-Eastern Turkey.

During the 6th century the language began to diverge into Eastern and Western dialects. This was related to the ecclesiastical splits of the period following the Council of Ephesus in 433 (which condemned the Nestorians) and the Council of Chalcedon in 450 (which condemned the monophysites).

The East Syriac dialect and script is used by the Nestorians, based in Persia, who spread the gospel along the Silk Route as far as China in the 7th century. A stele in Chinese and Syriac dated 781 AD was found in Xi'an[1]. Modern Mongolian is still written in Syriac letters. East Syriac script represents vowels by clouds of dots above and below the letters, when vowels are written at all.

The West Syriac dialect is used by the Monophysites. This uses the Serto script. One innovation by Jacob of Edessa was the use of tiny Greek vowels written above and below the line to represent vowels. He also sought to get vowels written on the line like consonants, but in vain. West Syriac contains the richest collection of material translated from Greek.

Neo-Syriac began to be printed when an American mission to Urmiah in the 1840's installed a printing press.

As knowledge of Syriac declined, and as pressure from Islam grew, Garshuni came into existence. This is Arabic, but written using Syriac script, in order to conceal the contents from possible Muslem persecutors.

Use today

This section of the article is a Stub. You can help WikiChristian by expanding it.

Alphabet

This section of the article is a Stub. You can help WikiChristian by expanding it.

Grammar

This section of the article is a Stub. You can help WikiChristian by expanding it.

Quotes

References

  1. ↑ A Bird's Eye View of the Syriac Language and Literature from Nestorian.org

Links

General Information

Grammars / Education Tools

Miscellaneous Links


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