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Title: Valuable reference work
Review: If you're starting out cold in Syriac, I would not recommend beginning with this book. (Personally, I'd get comfortable with the Syriac script by going through "Classical Aramaic", then - definitely! - work through Thackston's "Introduction to Syriac".)This is not to take anything away from Muraoka's book. But I don't see it as a book for absolute beginners. The breakdown is about as follows:introduction to the sounds / script - 16 pagesgrammar - about 50 pagessyntax - 30 pagesshort section of exercises, plus a key - 10 pagesparadigms - 18 pagesbibliography - 24 pagesannotated readings - 60 pagesglossary - 25 pagesA knowledge of another Semitic language is helpful.If you're interested in learning Syriac, buy Professor Thackston's "Introduction to Syriac". And when you're done, if you want to learn more grammar, and get some more practice in reading Syriac, buy this one.
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