About the Book
"Half of the words are read by implications. "This Tibetan saying explains the main difficulty Westerners face in learning to read Tibetan fluently. Unlike previously available materials, this book will allow beginners to understand the logic of Tibetan grammar and syntax through graded reading and narrative explanations. The large glossary, which includes particles and is indexed by page, will serve as an invaluable reference for readers to Tibetan at all levels. The reading course includes the Tibetan alphabet and its pronunciation, as well as a wide range of modern literary styles from literature, history, current affairs, newspapers, and even communist political essays. Cassette tapes to assist students learning on their own are available through Case Western Reserve University's Center for Research on Tibet.
"This [grammar] will make the study of written Tibetan a lot easier and more pleasant than it has been up to now." James A. Matisoff, University of California, Berkeley
"The first really practical general grammar of the language." F.K. Lehman, University of Illinois
About the Authors
Melvyn C. Goldstein is Chairman of Anthropology at Case Western Reserve and serves as the Director of the Center for Research on Tibet. He has published numerous volumes on Tibetan culture, history and language.
Gelek Rimpoche is an incarnate Tibetan Lama who received his geshe degree from Drepung Monastery, and has taught Tibetan at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Michigan.
Lobsang Phuntshog is a Tibetan scholar who previously taught Tibetan at Tribuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal.
This Tibetan saying pithily summarizes the main difficulty Westerners face in learning to read Tibet fluently. A knowledge of the various particles that comprise the Tibetan grammar is essential for learning how to read Tibetan, but this is not sufficient by If. In all too many cases, the semantic context, that is to say, the meaning of what precedes and follows the clause or phrase in question, determines what the grammatical particles themselves mean.
This book, therefore, was written to assist beginners not only to master the multiplicity of Tibetan grammatical particles and markers, but also to develop the skills to cope with the semantic component of Tibetan grammar.
Lessons One and Two present the thirty letters of the Tibetan alphabet together With a description of how they are pronounced. Many instructional programs teach the pronunciation of written Tibetan by having students repeat the sounds after the instructor, and this is a good way to learn. However, for those readers who are using this book on Their own, Essentials of Modern Literary Tibetan provides an explanation of the main rules underlying pronunciation, and provides spoken Tibetan equivalents for the first five as well as a tape of these lessons (through Case Western Reserve University's Center for Research on Tibet). However, Essentials of Modern Literary Tibetan is not meant to be a textbook of spoken Tibetan. Spoken and written Tibetan pronunciations differ and this book will not devote a great deal of time to these differences or on subtleties of spoken pronunciation. The aim of including pronunciation rules here is simple-to teach users how to pronounce the letters and syllables they will be reading. Developing reading comprehension of modern written Tibetan is the goal of this book.
Students who have studied spoken Tibetan using Goldstein and Nornang's Modern Spoken Tibetan will notice that the system used to transcribe the spoken language here is slightly different. The current system simplifies the more linguistically complicated system used earlier by employing symbols for the Tibetan sounds which are closer to English equivalents and thus easier to learn. For example, the system used in this book no longer employs the letter /q/ for the Tibetan letter "I', but instead uses the most similar English letter-/g/-even though /g/ differs from the Tibetan sound by being voiced. The rationale for representing Tibetan sounds by a neutral letter such as /q/ was to avoid predisposing English speakers to voice the Tibetan sound, but I now believe that this approach has been counter-productive and has hampered students from readily learning how to pronounce Tibetan.
Essentials of Modern Literary Tibetan will teach reading skills in a range of genres of written Tibetan. It moves quickly to cover essential grammatical structures so that stories can be introduced. The sentences in the lessons in Part One utilize both the basic colloquial and literary written styles, but the readings reflect the neoclassical style which is the basis for both of these. This style is becoming the standard for modern literary Tibetan. The aim throughout the lessons is to accustom the reader to understand more and more complex (and, therefore, more realistic) constructions. Part One provides a solid foundation in Tibetan morphology, syntax, and vocabulary.
Part Two contains both lessons and extended reading examples taken from novels, folk tales, histories, newspapers and magazines. Throughout the book the readings are translated as close to the original Tibetan as possible, even if this results in somewhat awkward English constructions. We hope this will facilitate the rapid comprehension of the basic principles involved.
Part Three consists of an English-Tibetan Glossary, a verb declension chart listing the different stems of the verbs used in the book, and an appendix with five selections illustrating the genre of communist political essays.
A critical dimension of this book is its ability to be used as a reference grammar. The large glossary at the end of the book lists each grammatical particle or construction used in the text together with the lesson and sub-section(s) where it occurs and is explained. Consequently, whenever the user comes across an unfamiliar particle, whether one month or five years after the initial encounter in the lessons, it will be easy to find the section or sections that explain and give examples of this particle.
This text, therefore, provides a step-by-step graded introduction to basic Tibetan syntax and grammar, a solid working vocabulary, and a permanent reference grammar which can be referred to long after these lessons have been completed.
Contents:
Preface
Acknowledgement
List of Abbreviations
Part One
Lesson One
1.1 Introduction to the Tibetan Language 1.2 Tone 1.3 Vowel length 1.4 The thirty written letters 1.4.1 Steps in writing Tibetan letters 1.4.2 The consonants 1.4.3 The consonants 1.4.4 The consonants 1.4.5 The consonants 1.4.5 The consonants 1.5 Vowels 1.6 Pronunciation drill 1.7 Structure and pronunciation of complex syllables 1.7.1 Complex syllables 1.7.2 Slot-4 (suffixed letters) 1.7.2.1 The suffixed letter 1.7.2.2 The suffixed letter 1.7.2.3 The suffixed letter 1.7.2.4 The suffixed letter 1.7.2.5 The suffixed letter 1.7.2.6 The suffixed letter 1.7.2.7 The suffixed letter 1.7.2.8 The suffixed letter 1.7.2.9 The suffixed letter 1.7.3 Slot-5 consonants 1.8 The syllabic nature of the Tibetan language 1.9 Sentence and verb types: introduction 1.10 Linking verbs and sentences 1.11 Question formations 1.12 Vocabulary
Lesson Two
2.1 The Alphabet, continued: Slot-1 (prefixed letters) 2.2 Slot-3 (subfixed letters) 2.2.1 The subfixed letter 2.2.2 The subfixed letter 2.2.3 The subfixed letter 2.3 Slot-2 (suprafixed letters) 2.4 Exercise : Write the pronunciation of the following syllables 2.5 The pronunciation of disyllabic compounds 2.6 Existential verbs and sentences 2.6.1 The dative-locative case 2.6.2 Possessive constructions with the dative-locative case 2.7 Linking and existential verbs used in adjectival constructions 2.8 Negation of linking and existential verbs 2.9 Question formation with interrogative words 2.10 Reference section: Looking up words in the glossary and new vocabulary sections 2.11 Reading exercise 2.12 Vocabulary
Lesson Three
3.1 The subject of active sentences and the instrumental case 3.2 Plurality and singularity 3.2.1 Singularity 3.2.2 Plural words and postpositions 3.3 Complex subject and object constructions 3.3.1 Complex subjects 3.3.2 The Complex object 3.3.3 The active verb 3.4 Simple past tense 3.5 Present tense 3.6 Usual constructions 3.7 Future tense 3.8 Active verbs in interrogative constructions 3.9 Sentence final marker 3.10 Reading exercise 3.11 Vocabulary
Lesson Four
4.1 Clause construction : introduction 4.2 The connective 4.3 The temporal connectives 4.4 Marking quotations and naming names 4.5 Review of the declension of pronouns 4.6 Reading exercise 4.6.1 Tibetan text 4.6.2 Interlinear translation / pronunciation 4.6.3 Translation 4.6.4 Grammatical notes 4.7 Vocabulary
Lesson Five
5.1 Involuntary verbs and sentences 5.2 Location and indirect objects in involuntary constructions 5.3 Constructions 5.4 Tense and temporals in existential and linking constructions 5.5 Temporals in active and involuntary constructions 5.6 Verbalizers: object-verb compounds 5.7 Verbs of motion 5.7.1 Active verbs 5.7.2 Involuntary verbs of motion 5.8 Honorific language 5.9 The "casual" connective 5.10 The "when" connectives 5.11 The "gerundive" connectives 5.11.1 The temporal-casual function 5.11.2 The abverbial or simultaneous function 5.11.3 The defining function 5.12 The "conjunctive" connectives 5.13 The "purposive" connectives 5.14 The genitive case 5.15 Infinitive usage 5.16 The "agentive" verbal particles 5.17 Reading exercise: "The Rabbit Takes Revenge" 5.17.1 Tibetan text 5.17.2 Interlinear translation 5.17.3 Translation 5.17.4 Grammatical notes 5.18 Vocabulary
Lesson Six
6.1 The conditional ("if") clause connectives 6.2 The "as soon as" clause connectives 6.3 Negation of active and involuntary verbs 6.4 The enumerative particles 6.5 Adverbials 6.5.1 The adverbializing particles particles: [genitive particle] 6.5.2 The instrumental particles as adverbializers 6.5.3 The dative-locative particles as adverbializers 6.5.4 The particle as adverbializers 6.5.5 Adverbs 6.6 Nominalization with 6.6.1 Positive constructions 6.6.2 Negative nominalized constructions with 6.6.3 Nominalized constructions with the dative-locative 6.6.4 Negative constructions with the dative-locative 6.7 The use of 6.7.1 Future constructions 6.7.2 Past constructions 6.7.3 Existential constructions 6.7.4 Other constructions 6.8 The "pretend" particles 6.9 The auxiliary verb 6.10 Reading exercise: "A Wolf Has Arrived" 6.10.1 Tibetan text 6.10.2 Interlinear translation 6.10.3 Translation 6.10.4 Grammatical notes 6.11 Vocabulary
Lesson Seven
7.1 The "not only" clause connectives 7.2 The "even though" clause connectives 7.3 The "plan/intend to" clause connective 7.4 The "before" clause connective 7.5 The verb ("to have to, want") 7.5.1 Used alone as a main verb 7.5.2 Used in conjunction with active verbs 7.5.3 Non-past constructions 7.5.4 The usual complement 7.5.5 Constructions in the past conveying completed action 7.5.6 The use of in two-verb constructions 7.5.7 Further examples of with connectives in dependent clauses 7.6 Constructions using 7.7 Constructions with the verb 7.8 Constructions expressing "certainty" 7.9 The "together with" clause connectives 7.10 The "according to" clause connectives 7.11 The "about to" clause connectives 7.12 Polite imperative 7.13 "Help" constructions 7.14 Reading exercises 7.14.1 Reading number one: "Agu donba and a Rich Man" 7.14.1.1 Tibetan text 7.14.1.2 Interlinear translation 7.14.1.3 Translation 7.14.1.4 Grammatical notes 7.14.2 Reading number two: "Coming from Afghanistan to Pakistan" 7.14.2.1 Tibetan text 7.14.2.2 Interlinear translation 7.14.2.3 Translation 7.14.2.4 Grammatical notes 7.15 Vocabulary
Lesson Eight
8.1 Cardinal number 8.2 Ordinal number 8.3 Percentages 8.4 Months 8.5 Tibetan numerals 8.6 "Or" and "whether or not" constructions 8.7 "With" constructions using 8.8 "Coincidental" constructions 8.9 Constructions using 8.10 Reading exercise: "The Golden Axe" 8.10.1 Tibetan text 8.10.2 Translation 8.10.3 Grammatical notes 8.11 Vocabulary
Part Two
Lesson Nine
9.1 Constructions with ("way, means") 9.2 The auxiliary verb "to dare to" 9.3 The "let alone/far from" clause connectives 9.4 The "excluding" clause connective" 9.5 The "danger of" clause connective 9.6 The auxiliary verb: "to experience" 9.7 "Seem" constructions using 9.8 The "complete/finished" auxiliary verbs 9.9 Emphatic negative adverbs 9.10 "Wand" constructions using 9.11 "Hope" constructions using 9.12 "Manner" constructions 9.13 Perfect tense 9.14 "Would have" constructions 9.15 The "be fit/worthy" particles 9.16 The "possible" auxiliary verb 9.17 Reading exercises 9.17.1 Reading number one: "The Wolf and the Hunter" 9.17.1.1 Tibetan text 9.17.1.2 Translation 9.17.1.3 Grammatical notes 9.17.2 Reading number two: "The Brief History of Ramoche (Temple)'s Jo (Statue)" 9.17.2.1 Tibetan text 9.17.2.2 Translation 9.17.2.3 Grammatical notes 9.18 Vocabulary
Lesson Ten
10.1 The "while" clause connective 10.2 Past-present construction 10.3 Adjectives and adjectival constructions 10.3.1 Basic adjective form 10.3.2 The comparative form of adjectives 10.3.3 Augmentation of nominalized adjective stems with the particles 10.3.4 The superlative degree 10.3.5 Excessive constructions 10.3.6 Derived adjectives 10.3.7 Conjunction of adjectives 10.3.8 Adjectival constructions using 10.4 Verbal construction using 10.4.1 As a verbal clause connective 10.4.2 As a verbal clause connective 10.5 Verbal constructions using 10.6 The "unless" clause connective 10.7 As a clause connective expressing "except for" 10.8 "Each" constructions using 10.9 Constructions with the verb "to change, alter" 10.10 "Without" clause connective constructions using 10.11 "Until" clause connective constructions using 10.12 Constructions with 10.13 The "location" particles 10.14 "Like what," "how," and "what kind of" constructions 10.15 Reading exercises 10.15.1 Reading number one: "Agu donba Cuts Down a Walnut Tree" 10.15.1.1 Tibetan text 10.15.1.2 Translation 10.15.1.3 Grammatical notes 10.15.2 Reading number two: "The Prayer-Festival Holiday" 10.15.2.1 Tibetan text 10.15.2.2 Translation 10.15.2.3 Grammatical notes 10.16 Vocabulary
Lesson Eleven
11.1 The "time to do" auxiliary verb 11.2 Construction using the phrases 11.3 Constructions using 11.4 Constructions using the phrase 11.5 Constructions using the pattern 11.6 Constructions using 11.7 Causative constructions 11.7.1 Construction using 11.7.2 Construction using 11.7.3 Construction using 11.8 "Let" or "allow" constructions using the verb 11.9 "Allow" constructions using the auxiliary verb 11.10 "I'll do" volunteering constructions using the auxiliary verb 11.11 "Ready to do" constructions using 11.12 "Approve" or "agree" constructions using 11.13 "No choice" and "no way" constructions using 11.14 Constructions using the idea of "about" and "concerning" 11.15 Rhetorical negative constructions 11.16 Double negatives 11.17 Double negative constructions with 11.18 Double negative constructions with 11.19 Constructions with 11.20 Reading exercises 11.20.1 Reading number one: "The Urine of the Precious Gem" 11.20.1.1 Tibetan text 11.20.1.2 Translation 11.20.1.3 Grammatical notes 11.20.2 Reading number two: "The Origin of Shodon [The 'Curd' or 'Opera' Festival]" 11.20.2.1 Tibetan text 11.20.2.2 Translation 11.20.2.3 Grammatical notes 11.20.3 Reading number three: "Concerning the National Minorities in China" 11.20.3.1 Tibetan text 11.20.3.2 Translation 11.20.3.3 Grammatical notes 11.21 Vocabulary
Lesson Twelve
12.1 Constructions with the particle 12.1.1 The "on" function of 12.1.2 The "via" function of 12.1.3 The "in addition to" function of 12.1.4 The "during," "at the time of," and "when" function of 12.1.5 The "concerning" function of 12.2 Verbal constructions using 12.3 "Shouldn't constructions 12.4 "What kind of" constructions 12.5 "Lots of ways" constructions 12.6 "By all means/in all respect" constructions 12.7 "To whom" constructions 12.8 "Whose and "by whom" constructions 12.9 "Why" constructions 12.10 "Everywhere" constructions 12.11 "It's a pity" constructions 12.12 "However much...that much" constructions 12.13 "How could" constructions with 12.14 Constructions with 12.15 "According to" and "based on" constructions with 12.16 "Go right ahead" constructions with 12.17 "Everything" constructions with 12.18 "Immediately" constructions with 12.19 "May it come" constructions 12.20 Reading exercises 12.20.1 Reading number one: "The Love of the Male and Female Swan" 12.20.1.1 Tibetan text 12.20.1.2 Translation 12.20.1.3 Grammatical notes 12.20.2 Reading number two: "The Wish-Fulfilling Gem Necklace" 12.20.2.1 Tibetan text 12.20.2.2 Translation 12.20.2.3 Grammatical notes 12.21 Vocabulary
Lesson Thirteen
13.1 Word formation : introduction 13.1.1 Nominal compounds 13.1.2 Synonymic compound 13.1.3 Premodifying compounds 13.1.4 Conjunctive compounds 13.1.5 Polar compounds 13.1.6 Adjectival polar compounds 13.1.7 Adjectival postmodifying compound 13.1.8 Verbal compounds 13.1.8.1 Premodifying compounds 13.1.8.2 Synonymic compounds 13.1.8.3 Verbal summation compounds 13.1.8.4 Verbal polar compounds 13.1.8.5 Verbal premodifying compounds 13.1.8.6 Verbal premodifying compounds 13.1.8.7 Verbal sequential compounds 13.1.9 Quadrisyllabic compounds 13.2 "Time to do" particles 13.3 Constructions 13.4 Constructions 13.5 Reading exercise: "The Wish-Fulfilling Gem Necklace," continued from Lesson 12 13.5.1 Tibetan text 13.5.2 Translation 13.5.3 Grammatical notes 13.6 Vocabulary
Lesson Fourteen
14.1 Construction using the verb as an auxiliary 14.2 The "do again" particle 14.3 The auxiliary verb 14.4 Hypothetical constructions 14.5 "For example" constructions 14.6 Constructions using 14.7 Constructions with 14.8 Reading exercise: "The Wish-Fulfilling Gem Necklace," continued from Lesson 13 14.8.1 Tibetan text 14.8.2 Translation 14.8.3 Grammatical notes 14.9 Vocabulary
Lesson Fifteen
15.1 Constructions 15.2 Constructions using 15.3 "Manner of" constructions using 15.4 Constructions 15.5 Alternative constructions 15.6 Constructions 15.7 Constructions 15.8 Reading exercise: "Chapter One: Meeting the Jowo" 15.8.1 Tibetan text 15.8.2 Translation 15.8.3 Grammatical notes 15.9 Vocabulary
Lesson Sixteen
16.1 Introduction 16.1.1 Reading number one: "The Sequence of Events Regarding the Problems Between Reting and Takdra, and the Summoning of the Ex-Reger Reting from Reting Monastery" by Lhalu, Tsewang Dorje 16.1.1.1 Tibetan text 16.1.1.2 Translation 16.1.1.3 Grammatical notes 16.1.2 Reading number two: "Recollections of My Father Dorje Tsegye Lungshar," by Lhalu, Tsewang Dorje 16.1.2.1 Tibetan text 16.1.2.2 Translation 16.1.2.3 Grammatical notes 16.2 Vocabulary
Part Three
Tibetan-English Glossary
Appendix A: Verb Declension Table
Appendix B: Pronunciation Drill
Appendix C: Supplementary Reading in the Genre of Communist Political Essays
1. Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China concerning the Great Proletarian Culture Revolution
2. Concerning Liu Shaoqi
3. The Tungxing Reservoir and Hydroelectric Station-A Result of Sino-Vietnamese Friendship
4. The "Golden Bride" of Unity and Happiness
5. Proclamation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army
Art (276)
Biography (244)
Buddha (1967)
Children (75)
Deities (50)
Healing (34)
Hinduism (58)
History (538)
Language & Literature (449)
Mahayana (422)
Mythology (74)
Philosophy (432)
Sacred Sites (111)
Tantric Buddhism (94)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist