Sogdian
- Course Code:
- 155901005
- Status:
- Course Not Running 2013/2014
- Unit value:
- 1
- Taught in:
- Full Year
An introduction to Sogdian, the lingua franca of the Silk Road between China and the West during most of the first millennium AD.
Prerequisites
There are no formal preconditions for entry, but since Sogdian is a language with a complex morphological system, some prior knowledge of a highly inflected language such as Latin, German or Russian is a great advantage. No knowledge of any specific language other than English is required, though a general familiarity with standard grammatical terminology and concepts (e.g. preposition, subject, accusative case, perfect tense) is essential. (Intending students who are not confident of their grounding in this area are advised to attend the week of classes on "Language about language" at the beginning of the session.)
Objectives and learning outcomes of the course
At the end of the course the student will be familiar with a range of Sogdian literature and will be able to read simpler texts with the aid of reference works.
Workload
The course normally entails two hours of classes per week. Between classes, students are expected to prepare the texts to be read in class and to devote some time to the study of Sogdian grammar.Scope and syllabus
The course is based on the reading of texts but also covers basic grammar (phonology, morphology and syntax). The set texts (in transliteration) include Christian, Manichaean and Zoroastrian works, chosen both for their own intrinsic interest and to illustrate the linguistic changes which occurred during the long history of the language.
Some memorization of details of grammar and vocabulary is required but the emphasis will be on learning general principles of Sogdian orthography and grammar. By the end of the course the student should be in a position to understand a simple Sogdian text with the aid of a dictionary and to appreciate its place in the development of the language.
Method of assessment
One three-hour written examination in May-June (80% of the total mark); assessed course-work (20%).Suggested reading
Basic bibliography:
- B. Gharib, Sogdian Dictionary, Tehran 1995. I. Gershevitch, A Grammar of Manichean Sogdian, Oxford 1954 (repr. 1961).
- N. Sims-Williams, Sogdian. In: R. Schmitt (ed.), Compendium Linguarum Iranicarum, Wiesbaden 1989, pp. 173-92.
- N. Sims-Williams, The Christian Sogdian Manuscript C2, Berlin 1985.
