So, you want to learn Coptic? A Guide to Bohairic Coptic

by Sameh Younan

The paperback version has corrected known typographical errors. A Bohairic grammar book specifically designed for the nonlinguist, designed to get you understanding Coptic texts from the very beginning without getting bogged down in the grammar. * Pronunciation rules * Grammar explained and made easy * 800 word glossary * Verb tense tables * Examples and exercises from hymns, liturgies, the Bible, Coptic martyrologies and homilies Coptic was the last phase in the development of Hieroglyphics, and the language of the first Christians of Egypt. Most scholarly attention has been directed towards the Sahidic dialect, leaving Bohairic as a much maligned second cousin. This is in spite of that fact that Bohairic remains the liturgical language of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and is the only Coptic dialect which is used in any real sense at all. While there are many excellent grammar books catering for Sahidic lovers, the options for Bohairic couldn't exactly be described as 'overwhelming'. This book aims to cater for those interested in learning Bohairic, especially for those without a formal introduction to linguistics. With a fresh and lively approach, it will be of great value to those who wish to approach the rich corpus of Bohairic texts and to develop a deeper understanding of the rituals and theology of the Coptic Orthodox Church

Genres: Coptic Language

324 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Melania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't consider myself to be an expert of Coptic grammar, but thanks to this book I've reached a good grasp of the language, after roughly a year of studies.
It's especially useful to understand what's going on during mass, instead of limiting ourselves to repeat things like parrots.
In order to get the book I had to wait till it was printed in Canada, then sent to the US, then shipped to Milan, and from Milan to my hometown in central Italy... but it was totally worth it.