Coptic is/was a final form of the ancient Egyptian language (before they started speaking Arabic). It is still used in the liturgy of the Coptic Christian church, but it has not been spoken widely since the 17th century AD or so.
Anyway, I’m taking it this quarter (partly because the chair of the department, who could teach hieroglyphic writing, doesn’t) and I’m wondering if anyone else knows the language. I know there are a lot of classics scholars on the board, and Coptic uses a lot of Greek loan words as well.
It’s kind of fun to get taught the words for “demon” and “blasphemy” in your second vocabulary lesson…
No, but I’m jealous in a geek way. Sounds awesomely fun. So you’ll be able to make heads or tails of the Ethiopian/Coptic sects and their art-- what a hoot!
This is the book we’re using, and it really is pretty clear; you could in theory teach yourself. Due to the professor getting sick, we’ve actually only had two class meetings in as many weeks, and I’ve done the first four lessons mostly on my own.
I did a tiny bit of Coptic when I studied Ancient Greek in high school.
I am not familiar with Coptic.
However, I have seen “Cop Rock.”
There’s probably not much common ground.
No, but I have a student of Coptic ethnicity. He has an uncle that speaks it, to the extent that anyone does these days.
I think there is a Coptic student in my class as well; he’s mentioned being somewhat familiar with the language.
The Coptic Christian Church uses a slightly different dialect than the one I’m learning (they use a northern one, we’re learning the southern).