Leshono Suryoyo is an introductory grammar for students of Classical Syriac, the theological and liturgical language of most of the Middle Eastern Christian churches. Designed for students with no prior knowledge of Semitic languages, the book contains full grammatical explanations in simple language as well as readings from Syriac authors. This introduction to Syriac, unlike many other older grammars, assumes no knowledge of other Semitic languages and is entirely based on real sentences taken from original Syriac sources. It is divided into four parts: (i) fourteen chapters of grammatical study based on actual sentences and leading in each chapter to grammatical summaries and translation exercises; (ii) full lists of verbal forms; (iii) ten more substantial extracts from original Syriac texts, with full grammatical analysis; (iv) a glossary of all the words which occur in the book. The book is suitable for independent study. It aims to enable the student to read all types of Syriac texts (with the help of a dictionary). A compact disc featuring recorded readings of all texts is also included to aid students through the tumultuous task of pronunciation. The CD contains recordings in West and East Syriac, as well as chanting of a text from Ephrem. The recordings feature Eugene Aydin and George Kiraz (for West Syriac) and Daniel Benjamin (for East Syriac).
Institutions are not eligible to receive the special paperback study edition aimed at students.