Given at Institut français d’archéologie orientale in Cairo, Egypt, on September 4, 2019
Abstract: How to Read Old Nubian? This question may be more difficult to answer than initially appears. How is it possible to revive knowledge of a language than hasn’t been spoken over centuries, and to write its grammar today? Why is this possible with Old Nubian, but not with a related language such as Meroitic? This lecture will introduce the core concepts of legibility and readability in the context of Old Nubian studies, and sketch out the historical trajectory through which Old Nubian became a language once again accessible to human readers.
Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei is a specialist of the Old Nubian language and co-editor-in-chief of Dotawo: A Journal of Nubian Studies. Click here to visit his website or follow him on Twitter @ontakragoueke
— Ifao – Institut français d'archéologie orientale (@ifaocaire) September 12, 2019
Top Image: A page from an Old Nubian translation of the Investiture of the Archangel Michael, from the 9th-10th century, found at Qasr Ibrim, now at the British Museum. Photo by Mustafaa / Wikimedia Commons
How to Read Old Nubian?
Paper by Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei
Given at Institut français d’archéologie orientale in Cairo, Egypt, on September 4, 2019
Abstract: How to Read Old Nubian? This question may be more difficult to answer than initially appears. How is it possible to revive knowledge of a language than hasn’t been spoken over centuries, and to write its grammar today? Why is this possible with Old Nubian, but not with a related language such as Meroitic? This lecture will introduce the core concepts of legibility and readability in the context of Old Nubian studies, and sketch out the historical trajectory through which Old Nubian became a language once again accessible to human readers.
Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei is a specialist of the Old Nubian language and co-editor-in-chief of Dotawo: A Journal of Nubian Studies. Click here to visit his website or follow him on Twitter @ontakragoueke
Top Image: A page from an Old Nubian translation of the Investiture of the Archangel Michael, from the 9th-10th century, found at Qasr Ibrim, now at the British Museum. Photo by Mustafaa / Wikimedia Commons
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