Level 2: Building Blocks of Syriac Grammar

This course, Building Blocks of Syriac Grammar, is the next step after learning to read and write the Syriac script. It introduces students to the foundational elements of Syriac grammar, focusing on how the language functions structurally. The course covers the core parts of speech—nouns, adjectives, and verbs—and explains how they change based on gender (masculine/feminine), number (singular/plural), and tense (past/present/future). Students will learn how to recognize and form these grammatical patterns, laying the groundwork for reading more complex texts and composing basic Syriac sentences with accuracy.

In addition to these basics, students will learn how complex words are formed through the use of prefixes and suffixes, gaining insight into the internal logic of Syriac word formation. With clear explanations and practical exercises, this course equips learners with the essential tools to begin reading more complex texts and composing accurate Syriac sentences.

Textbook: George A. Kiraz, New Syriac Primer (Fourth Edition), Chapters 2–5.

Please ensure you have the textbook with you, as it is essential for following along with the lessons.

Course Content

Gender and Number
Lesson 1: Reading with Gender
Lesson 2: Reading with Number
Verbs
Lesson 3: The Present Tense
Lesson 4: The Past Tense — Verbs with Suffixes
Lesson 5: The Future Tense — Verbs with Prefixes
Lesson 6: The Imperative
Lesson 7: Participles
Prefixes and Suffixes
Lesson 8: Longer Words 1 — Adding Prefixes to Words
Lesson 9: Longer Words 2 — Adding Suffixes to Words
Lesson 10: Grammar Review