10-21-2011, 02:50 AM
onebiblestudent Wrote:Rafa Wrote:Quote:I'm in the Chicago area and I'm even considering visiting the ACOE, at some point in the future, if I ever become good with the aramaic....
What in the world are you waiting for? Go now. I would.
Well don't I need to know aramaic? I won't understand anything.
Hi Bible Student,
Welcome to the forum.
Semitic languages are difficult to become proficient in for people accustomed to Indo-European tongues. A university class is a great place to start that journey. For those who are quick learners and prefer to be self-taught, Wheeler M. Thackston of Harvard has an excellent grammar which is available on amazon.com.
In case you decide to visit, one of the five parishes in Chicago (St. John on Lawrence Ave, just east of Clark) has a mixed (50/50) Aramaic/English service. It's the parish I attend and serve as deacon in. We have a liturgical book that has both the Aramaic and English side-by-side, and a screen displaying the page number that we are currently on. It makes it pretty easy to understand the service after a couple of times. The priest also reads his sermon in both languages, usually a sentence or two at a time, alternating between the two languages. It seems to work out well and please all sides.
Take care,
Shamasha