Between arabic and coptic in a bilingual manuscript of the pentateuch: The case of la'alla <img src="/fulltext-image.asp?format= htmlnonpaginated&src=P16655JJ4Q3431H3-html\MediaObjects\62-2011-Article-5- Fig1-HTML.gif" border="0" />

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Arabic version of the Pentateuch in MS Paris BN copte 1 (14th century) was basically translated from the Bohairic Coptic version which is set in parallel columns to it. The comparison of the two versions is sometimes very instructive regarding the transition period in which the main language for the Copts in Egypt was Arabic, but Coptic was not completely forgotten. The translation choices of the Arabic word <img src="/fulltext-image.asp? format=htmlnonpaginated&src=P16655JJ4Q3431H3-html\MediaObjects\ 62-2011-Article-5-Fig2-HTML.gif" border="0" /> are examples of changes in meanings, connotations and functions of that word in Middle Arabic in general, and under the influence of Coptic in particular. The studies of Joshua Blau on Christian-Arabic and Judaeo-Arabic of the Middle Ages, and of Ariel Shisha-Halevy on the Bohairic dialect are extremely important for establishing any study of this kind.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)201-208
Number of pages8
JournalActa Orientalia
Volume64
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2011

Keywords

  • Arabic grammar
  • Christian-Arabic
  • Coptic
  • Pentateuch
  • la'alla
  • transition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cultural Studies
  • History
  • Literature and Literary Theory

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Between arabic and coptic in a bilingual manuscript of the pentateuch: The case of la'alla <img src="/fulltext-image.asp?format= htmlnonpaginated&src=P16655JJ4Q3431H3-html\MediaObjects\62-2011-Article-5- Fig1-HTML.gif" border="0" />'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this