Syriacist

Syriac studies is the study of the Syriac language and Syriac Christianity. A specialist in Syriac studies is known as a Syriacist. Specifically, British, French, and German scholars of the 18th and 19th centuries who were involved in the study of Syriac/Aramaic language and literature were commonly known by this designation, at a time when the Syriac language was little understood outside Assyrian, Syriac Christian and Maronite Christian communities. In Germany the field of study is distinguished between Aramaistik (Aramaic studies) und Neuaramaistik (Syriac studies).

At universities Syriac studies are mostly incorporated into a more general' field of studies, such as Eastern Christianity at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, Aramaic studies at the University of Oxford and University of Leiden, Eastern Christianity at Duke University, or Semitic Studies at the Freie Universität Berlin. Most students learn the Syriac language within a biblical studies program. Conferences for Syriac studies include the Symposium Syriacum, the Section "Bible and Syriac Studies in Context" at the International Meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Section "Syriac Literature and Interpretations of Sacred Texts" at the Annual Meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature. Syriac journals include the annual Oriens Christianus (Wiesbaden) and Syriac Studies Today.

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