Palestinian Middle Aramaic

Palestinian Middle Aramaic is a comprehensive textbook providing a systematic approach to the Palestinian Aramaic language in its middle to late phases (circa 200 BCE–700 CE).

Designed for students without prior knowledge of Biblical Hebrew or other Semitic languages, the course begins with an introduction to Aramaic phonology, script, and vocalization. Following this are forty structured lessons covering nominal forms, pronouns, prepositions, verbal stems, weak verbs, syntax, numerals, and distinctive features of related Palestinian Aramaic traditions. Clear grammatical progression is combined with extensive reading practice and exercises. The grammar is based primarily on Targum Onkelos, while notes highlight important variants from Galilean, Samaritan, Christian Palestinian, and Biblical Aramaic. The volume includes verbal paradigms, a chrestomathy of Jewish, Samaritan, and Christian texts, and bilingual glossaries.

Palestinian Middle Aramaic is intended for students of Aramaic, Jewish studies, early Christianity, biblical studies, and comparative Semitic linguistics. Balancing scholarly rigor with accessibility, this textbook is suitable for both academic courses and self-study.

The textbook is accompanied by audio files for pronunciation practice, translations of selected texts, and an exercise key, which are available at www.routledge.com/9781041202523.