Learn To Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs

At first blush you might feel that learning an ancient language - that too one with a pictorial script - must be difficult. But as you settle down you realize that all languages have nouns, and verbs, and adjectives, and ... you get the point. What one needs is a book that systematically takes you through the script step by step. This book is exactly one such.

The book has 8 chapters.

The first chapter introduces (gently) the script, the 1-consonant signs (where each hieroglyph contributes a single sound to the final word, like our alphabets), some nouns and adjectives. The chapter also teaches you how the symbols are arranged. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier from then on.

The second chapter introduces more hieroglyphs, 2-consonant sounds and 3-consonant sounds, and plurals.

The third chapter introduces you to the world of abbreviations (what?), spacing (suppose you were required to write English on a column (don't do that; vandalism is bad) and you had only a vertical space left, what would you do?), and the genetive (do I hear German learners slap their forehead in frustration?) in addition to switching. The authors consider this chapter very important as this chapter also deals as many elements that help in monument reading in museums.

The first three chapters form the basics of the hieroglyphs. The 4th chapter is more fun. It deals with scenes and captions. Most of the scripts in temples and museums will be associated with scenes. This chapter teaches you how to read those.

Chapter 5 and 6 deals with description. Ans as with modern languages, description is always associated with the past tense. The chapters also deal with pronouns.

Chapter 7 deals with characterisation of people who and therefore deals with adjectives (again - the 1st chapter also has adjectives) and participles.

Chapter 8 deals with the dead talking to the future generation in the form of wishes, expectations and requests.

Every chapter has exercises. There is also a good Egyptian - English reference dictionary at the end, which you need to refer to to do the exercises.

Style: A very good introduction to the hieroglyphs. The chapters are well organised. Very well illustrated.

Knowledge content: You will definitely learn much more about ancient Egypt than what is found in travel books. Besides, you will learn the language too.

Applicability: I can see two applications. One is obviously to those who are attracted by ancient Egypt and who visit museums or wish to visit Egypt sometime in the future. I think this will also appeal to those who wish to give their brain some exercise. It is almost like trying to solve puzzles.

Recommendation: Not for general reading, obviously. But if you are interested in Egypt, ia must read.