What Do You Know About The Coptic Language?
By Shereen Azer
The Coptic Language is the Egyptian language, which the Church has preserved in its liturgies, prayers, books and scripts, after it became
almost impossible to use as a spoken language because of the great persecution that it suffered from.
Many of the foreign rulers, threatened to cut the tongue of any Egyptian that was found speaking in Coptic, in spite of it being the ancient Egyptian language.
What do you know about our ancient heritage?
The Coptic language is the last stage of the old Egyptian dialect, which has been used in the Nile Valley for not less than 5000 years BC.
At the time Christianity entered Egypt, it was used as the spoken language.
With the advent of the Arabs (7th century) and spread of the Arabic language, many Copts entered into Islam, and so the Coptic language usage began to
diminish in many places, except for Upper Egypt; where it was still used as the spoken language till the beginning of the 18th century.
Currently, it is used in our holy churches.
The credit in preserving the Coptic language, and later, being able to uncover the mysteries of the ancient language, actually, goes to the Egyptian
Patriarchs. They used to issue strict orders, every once in a while, that it should be used in churches. For through learning it, the French scientist
Jean Francois Champollion (1790-1831), was able to decipher the Hieroglyphic Language, and preserve to us all the knowledge and civilization of our ancestors.
Furthermore, because the Coptic language was used hand in hand with the Arabic language for a very long time, it left its prints in the Egyptian Arabic dialect.
You can easily recognize it among all the other Arab-speaking people, to the extent of using many Coptic words and phrases as if they were Arabic in origin.
The Egyptian language, like any other language that has survived for more than 6000 years, was subject to various changes throughout time;
beginning with the Pharaonic Kingdoms (Old, Middle and New), passing by the Greek and Roman rule, then entering into the Christian era, the Islamic,
the Middle ages and finally our present time. Originally, it was written in Hieroglyphics on stone and papyrus paper, then in Hieratics
on papyrus and clay vessels, and in Demotics toward the end of the kingdoms throughout the Roman era. It was finally written in Coptic around the 2nd century.
We can recognize in the Coptic language, at least, five main dialects. Interestingly enough, this is even clear among the various Arabic dialects within Egypt
itself ... The first and main dialect is the Bohairic, which is predominantly used, then the Saidic, Ikhmimic, Fayoumic
and Memphic.
So let's try and learn the Coptic Language and regain our ancient glory and civilization.
Mission Statement
Chicago Copts is dedicated to connecting members of the Coptic Community in Chicago, strengthening bonds within the community, and to promoting and preserving Coptic culture. Chicago Copts motivates Coptic Americans to become active in Coptic issues by empowering the community through education and social networking events. Chicago Copts is committed to reaching out to our Coptic brothers and sisters in Chicagoland and abroad.
Donations
Your donation is critical to helping us carry on our mission of supporting the Coptic Community and educating the public on Coptic issues.
With your donation, you will be actively contributing to programs and events that help us achieve this goal. All donations to Chicago Copts are tax-deductible. Thank you for your support!
Words Of Thanks
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31: 8-9
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We wanted to thank all those who attended the lecture given by Fr. Mattias Nasr Mankarious. There was a great turn out. We also want to thank the following:
Fr. Isaac Tanios
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, Palatine
Fr. Yohanna Nassif
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, Palatine
Fr. Wilbur David Ellsworth
Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church
Pastor Rev. Raouf Boulos
The Moody Church
We especially want to thank Fr. Mattias for being our speaker. Fr. Mattias was eager to go back to Egypt and, as he said, to be next to his children
in their time of need. We want to thank him for being a beam of light for Christianity and standing up for the preservation of Christianity in Egypt.
The Bible teaches us in the Book of Matthew: " ...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who
is in heaven." (Matt 5:16).
Thank you Fr. Mattias for being the light for us to all see and for being the father teaching your children the love, peace, and mercy of Christ. We know
how hard it is for you to see your children murdered, but we know that you are consoled to know that in dying in the name of Christ, they will be saved.
These things I have spoken unto you,
that in Me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation,
but be of good cheer:
I have overcome the world.
(John 16:32-33)
To download the power point presentation, click here.
If you wish to continue your donations for the Martyrs of Maspero and for the mission of Fr. Mattias, please do so here. If you wish to make a donation for the ChicagoCopts organization to continue its work, as well the donations can be made on the website. Please designate how your donations should be distributed.