A dictionary: Christian Sogdian, Syriac and English

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Many works of Syriac literature were translated into Sogdian, a Middle Iranian language spoken along the “Silk Road.” This Christian Sogdian literature, encompassing biblical, liturgical, ascetic, and hagiographic texts, is primarily known from manuscripts found in 1905 at the Bulayïq monastery in the Turfan oasis. It is significant for Syriac studies, as Sogdian translations often derive from earlier recensions than those surviving in Syriac, with some texts no longer extant in the original language. Additionally, it is vital for Sogdian and Middle Iranian studies, as identifiable Syriac originals offer insights into the Sogdian language. The material in Syriac script, featuring a complex system of vocalic points, uniquely informs Sogdian pronunciation. The Dictionary aims to be accessible to both Iranists and Syriacists, regardless of their familiarity with the other language. It consists of two main sections and a comprehensive English index. Part 1 lists Sogdian lemmata, detailing all words in published Christian Sogdian texts, including variant spellings and their Syriac equivalents. Part 2 organizes the same material by Syriac lemmata. Together, they facilitate understanding of the relationship between Sogdian and Syriac, serving as a guide for reading Christian Sogdian texts, assisting future editors, and contributing to the study of literary transmission between the two languages.