Syriac · Writing system
Writing system course · 18 lessons · 456 entries
Explore Syriac consonants, visual styles and reading practice.
The course begins with consonants and includes reference images for several visual styles, vowel groups, modified forms, ligatures and word-reading lessons. Compare forms across styles after learning their basic reading.
Read these examples freely without an account. In the app you can preview lessons, study a private copy and progress through the course one lesson at a time.
Examples from the lessons
Compare the original written form with the supplied reading or equivalent. Try covering the answer column before checking it.
| Written form | Reading | Meaning or equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ܐ | a | a |
| ܒ | b | b |
| ܓ | g (as in good) | g (as in good) |
| ܕ | d | d |
| ܡ | m | m |
| ܢ | n | n |
| ܣ | s | s |
| ܥ | ʿ (creaky-voiced deep throat sound) | ʿ (creaky-voiced deep throat sound) |
How to practice
Start with recognition of consonants, then add a vowel group. Move on to whole-word practice once you can identify the forms, using the supplied readings to check yourself.
Course outline
Use the outline to choose what to preview. Starting the interactive course begins with the first lesson; later lessons become available as you continue.
- Consonants · 1
- Consonants · 2
- Classical forms · 1
- Classical forms · 2
- Western forms · 1
- Western forms · 2
- Eastern forms · 1
- Eastern forms · 2
- Vowels
- Rakkikha and qushshaya
- Majliyana
- Eastern vowel correspondences
- Ligatures
- Lesson 1 ABGDHWY
- Lesson 2 ZHTY
- Lesson 3 KLMN
- Lesson 4 s'PS
- Lesson 5 QRShT