Complete Middle Egyptian: (Learn Beginner Hieroglyphs) (Complete Language Courses) 1st Edition

The new format of the "Teach Yourself" series language books is fantastic. The pages are larger and of better quality paper than earlier editions. Middle Egyptian is brand new to the series, so it is being printed for the first time in this high quality format. This is also the first release in the "Ancient Languages" series, with revised editions of Ancient and Biblical Greek, Babylonian, Old English, Sanskrit, and Latin, as well as brand new entries of Old Norse, Classical Arabic, and Gothic coming from 2018 to 2020.This book is called "Complete Middle Egyptian," but the author points out that it's more of an overview of the most common grammatical structures and 300 of the most common signs. This is fine, because there are already heavier and highly detailed grammars in print. After introducing the alphabet, the book dives right into short funerary inscriptions, royal and religious texts, and other pieces pulled from primary sources. Grammar is introduced in each chapter, but the book includes a 26-page grammar reference at the back, as well.This course is great for a beginner who may not be ready for the Alan Gardiner grammar book, or would like a thorough introduction before attempting it. I would recommend pairing this book with the Great Courses series on hieroglyphs: Decoding the Secrets of Egyptian Hieroglyphs.

I have all the beginning, intermediate and advanced Egyptian grammars (Collier/Manley, Zauzich, Allen, Gardiner, etc). Bussmann offers the best introduction (though you will benefit even if you started with another book as this will reinforce your knowledge). The course is extremely clear and quite enjoyable (for example, I've never seen such a straightforward explanation of the 5 names each pharaoh has). The exercises are just the right level of difficulty to be stimulating, neither too easy nor too complex. The discovery method is fun because it invites the student to notice things by himself, which are then followed up by an explanation. Concepts are introduced one at a time, and accompanied by cultural notes. Throughout you are reading actual inscriptions. You are even taught (gently) to write hieroglyphs. All in all a modern method that really motivates the student. If you want just one book to learn Egyptian, this is the one. Highly recommended!

Excellent, a must have for those learning the ancient written language

As described.

I have been studying Egyptian for many years and have most of the grammar books that are available. I found Bussmann's book okay for a quick review but I think that it would be a difficult book for a beginner to use. He has a lot of exercises but several times he has given exercises that have information in them that he has not yet discussed. As I knew them, it was not a problem for me, but a beginner would be very confused. The book needs to be arranged a bit differently, put the information first, then the exercises.

I am still working with this book so I can't comment on the content/method. I wanted to warn Kindle purchasers that the hieroglyphic scripts are very hard to read on a smartphone, even the largest like the 8+ or Note. The Kindle reader for PC is much better as you have a larger screen.

It's a great book for learning middle Egyptian. It has a ton of examples, tons of images of real Egyptian texts. Shame it costs that much, I bought it second hand here on Amazon pretty cheap, it was in perfect condition, unused!