Layton has brought his long teaching experience to bear in this fine introductory grammar, the product of decades of classroom instruction. He has geared it to helping students understand the Sahidic New Testament. This is helpful in at least two ways. First of all, this NT was very familiar to writers of other Coptic literature, so familiarity with it will be a boon to any future study, whether of Shenute or of Gnostic literature. Secondly, the Coptic of the NT is relatively easy--much easier than the stylistically more elegant but also more complex writings of Shenute.

A unique but very helpful feature of the vocabularies of each lesson is that not only do they give English glosses of Coptic words, but also the NT Greek words most commonly translated by the Coptic words. This is a great help to those who are already familiar with the Greek NT (and believe me, your study of Coptic will be much easier if you come to it with at least a basic knowledge of Greek, whether Classical or Koine).

After a series of 20 graded lessons, the first three chapters of the Gospel of Mark are included for reading practice. This is followed by a helpful glossary/index of Coptic forms and a Subject Index.

Layton has helpfully included references throughout the text to his comprehensive "A Coptic Grammar" (2nd ed.). These references are helpful for diligent students at the introductory level. And in any event, if you go beyond the introductory level, the full grammar is an indispensable reference tool.

Coptic is a fascinating language, full of unusual twists. I found that about half of it felt Semitic and the other half reminded me of a wide variety of other languages I have studied. Layton's long-awaited introductory text is the best introduction you can find to this most interesting tongue.

Layton has brought his long teaching experience to bear in this fine introductory grammar, the product of decades of classroom instruction. He has geared it to helping students understand the Sahidic New Testament. This is helpful in at least two ways. First of all, this NT was very familiar to writers of other Coptic literature, so familiarity with it will be a boon to any future study, whether of Shenute or of Gnostic literature. Secondly, the Coptic of the NT is relatively easy--much easier than the stylistically more elegant but also more complex writings of Shenute.

A unique but very helpful feature of the vocabularies of each lesson is that not only do they give English glosses of Coptic words, but also the NT Greek words most commonly translated by the Coptic words. This is a great help to those who are already familiar with the Greek NT (and believe me, your study of Coptic will be much easier if you come to it with at least a basic knowledge of Greek, whether Classical or Koine).

After a series of 20 graded lessons, the first three chapters of the Gospel of Mark are included for reading practice. This is followed by a helpful glossary/index of Coptic forms and a Subject Index.

Layton has helpfully included references throughout the text to his comprehensive "A Coptic Grammar" (2nd ed.). These references are helpful for diligent students at the introductory level. And in any event, if you go beyond the introductory level, the full grammar is an indispensable reference tool.

Coptic is a fascinating language, full of unusual twists. I found that about half of it felt Semitic and the other half reminded me of a wide variety of other languages I have studied. Layton's long-awaited introductory text is the best introduction you can find to this most interesting tongue.

Bently Layton's new Coptic grammar book fills a great need for both students and scholars. It is well-arranged, thorough, concise, and easy to follow. Its format is refreshing, with the needs of serious students in mind.

The exercises and vocabularies are adequate and progressive. With this book, the student really gets a good grasp of Sahidic Coptic, and skill in reading and translating it.

This is an excellent tool for anyone studying the Sahidic Coptic New Testament or Coptic literature in general.