2016 - 2017

0690-2323-01
  Ancient North Arabian Inscriptions                                                                   
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
Letizia CerquegliniRosenberg - Jewish Studies103Mon1600-1800 Sem  1
Rosenberg - Jewish Studies103Wed1600-1800 Sem  1
 
 
University credit hours:  4.0

Course description
Ancient North Arabian (ANA) is represented by epigraphic material found in western Arabia (from Syria to Yemen) and dated from the middle of the 1st millennium BC to the 4th century AD. Represented by a consonantal system similar to Ancient South Arabian script, ANA includes different languages: Dadanitic, Dumaitic, Hismaic, Hasaitic, Safaitic (different dialects), Taymanitic and Thamudic (B-C-D and Southern). Hismaic and Safaitic probably belong to Old Arabic. ANA inscriptions are extremely important for reconstructing the linguistic and cultural history of nomads and oasis dwellers of pre-Islamic Arabia, the diffusion of North-West Semitic and its contacts with the South Semitic area, and the origin and identity of Arabic speakers. The final part of the course will be devoted to investigating linguistic relations between ANA and North-West Arabian dialects (Bedouin dialects spoken today in Sinai, Negev, Jordan).
Students will master basic epigraphic methodology, ANA writing systems, grammar and formulaic language and be able to autonomously consult ANA corpora. They will become aware of major issues and key topics in the linguistic history of Arabia, such as the relation between ANA and Arabic dialects.
FINAL HOME PAPER.
PREREQUISITES: INTRODUCTION TO SEMITIC LINGUISTICS.

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