First Armenian textbook of classic Assyrian published in Yerevan State University

 

“Noyan Tapan” News Agency from Yerevan reports on 9 February 2006

 

Yerevan State University has published a text-book titled “Classic Assyrian” by the lecturer of the Faculty of the Oriental Studies Arman Hakobian.

 

Starting from the 13th century the Assyrian language has stopped being been used as a spoken language and up to this date it is used as the church language of the Assyrian Orthodox, East Assyrian and other churches.

 

It is taught in reputable universities and theological seminaries around the world.

 

For centuries Armenians have had active cultural and religious contacts with Assyrians, in consequence of which several dozens of Assyrian words penetrated the Armenian language.

 

The first Armenian translation of the Bible was also done from the Assyrian language. The works of Armenian classic authors were also translated into Assyrian.

 

In spite of all this, the classic Assyrian has been never taught in modern days Armenia. Only in 2004 a special course of studies was organized on Arman Hakobian's initiative at the Yerevan State University for lecturers teaching Arab and Hebrew languages, the goal of which was to train them for teaching classic Assyrian.

 

This year the classic Assyrian has been also included in the University's Oriental Studies Faculty magistracy curriculum.