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Article published In: Historiographia Linguistica
Vol. 39:2/3 (2012) ► pp.327–340

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The Native Syriac Linguistic Tradition

Resources Ancient and Modern

 | Jersey City, N.J.
Published online: 23 November 2012
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https://doi.org/10.1075/hl.39.2-3.07dan
Summary
The native Syriac linguistic tradition comprises annotations to the biblical text (‘masorah’), lexica, and grammars created between the 6th and 13th centuries; 24 Syriac scholars are known by name. Syriac grammarians have been considered to be mere imitators, of both Greek and Arab grammarians, but this is a severe exaggeration; they were, however, the source of much that is found among the Arabs. The first, Jacob of Edessa (640–708 A.D.), and the last, Gregory Bar Hebraeus (1225/26–1286), have received the most attention. Much needs to be done, both in publishing and evaluating Syriac linguistic work, and in recognizing its importance in cross-connecting the West Asian civilizations and in foreshadowing modern approaches to language. This article provides a guide and key to the literature.
Résumé
La tradition linguistique syriaque autochtone comprend des annotations au texte biblique (‘masorah’), des dictionnaires et des grammaires composés entre le VIe et le XIIIe siècles ; 24 érudits syriaques sont nommément connus. Les grammairiens syriaques ont été considérés comme de simples imitateurs, à la fois des grammairiens grecs et des grammairiens arabes, mais c’est là une grave exagération. Ils furent, en fait, à l’origine de beaucoup de ce que l’on trouve chez les Arabes. C’est le premier, Jacques d’Édesse (640–708), et le dernier, Grégoire Bar Hebraeus (1225/26–1286), qui ont reçu le plus d’attention. Beaucoup est à faire, à la fois en matière d’édition et d’évaluation de l’oeuvre linguistique syriaque et pour reconnaître son importance dans l’interconnexion des civilisations de l’Asie antérieure et l’anticipation des approches modernes du langage. Cet article fournit une clef et un guide pour la littérature sur le sujet.
Zusammenfassung
Die heimische syriakische linguistische Tradition umfasst Anmerkungen zum biblischen Text (‘Masorah’), Lexika, und Grammatiken, die zwischen dem 6. und 13. Jahrhundert verfasst wurden. Insgesamt 24 syriakische Gelehrte sind namentlich bekannt. Lange Zeit wurden syriakische Grammatiker als bloße Nachahmer angesehen, und das sowohl seitens griechischer als auch arabischer Grammatiker, was jedoch eine starke Übertreibung ist. Viele ihrer Ideen können in der Tat bei den Arabern wieder gefunden werden. Unter ihnen haben am Anfang Jakob von Edessa (640–708 n. Chr.) und ganz am Ende dieser Periode Gregor Bar Hebraeus (1225/26–1286) die größte Aufmerksamkeit erhalten. Es ist daher wünschenswert, dass mehr syriakische sprachwissenschaftliche Arbeiten veröffentlicht und analysiert werden. Und wenn deren Bedeutung innerhalb der westasiatischen Zivilisationen erkannt worden ist, dann könnte man sie als Vorboten moderner sprachwissenschaftlicher Ansätze erkennen. Der vorliegende Aufsatz bietet eine Anleitung und einen Schlüssel zur einschlägigen Literatur.
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