Introduction to Ge’ez (Classical Ethiopic)

4 credits · Undergraduate

This course introduces the script and grammar of Ge’ez, or Classical Ethiopic. Ge’ez is a Semitic language historically spoken in the Ethio-Eritrean highlands. Although no longer a spoken language, Ge’ez is preserved in a vast corpus of ancient and medieval manuscripts. These texts include original works as well as translations from Greek, Arabic, and Syriac. As a result, Ge’ez is an important language of study for students interested in the history of the Horn of Africa, comparative Semitics, and cross-cultural literary studies. Designed for beginners, this course provides the foundational skills needed to read and translate Ge’ez texts.