Welcome to Lesson 8 of the Latinum Institute's Coptic language course for English speakers. This lesson focuses on the first person singular pronoun "I" in Coptic. For a complete index of all lessons in this course, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
The Coptic word for "I" is ⲁⲛⲟⲕ (anok), which represents the independent first person singular pronoun. This word derives from the Ancient Egyptian jnk and is one of the most fundamental words in the Coptic language. As with many pronouns in Coptic, "I" can appear in several forms depending on its grammatical function in the sentence.
In this lesson, you will encounter "I" used in various contexts: as the subject of verbs, in possessive constructions, and in different tenses. The examples progress from simple statements to more complex sentences, helping you build confidence in recognizing and using this essential pronoun.
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The independent pronoun "I" in Coptic is ⲁⲛⲟⲕ (anok) -
Coptic also uses prefix pronouns attached to verbs: ϯ- (ti-) for present tense -
The pronoun can appear with various verb forms and tenses -
Word order in Coptic differs from English, often following Verb-Subject-Object patterns -
Understanding "I" is essential for basic communication and reading Coptic texts
Question: What does "I" mean in Coptic? Answer: "I" in Coptic is expressed by ⲁⲛⲟⲕ (anok) as an independent pronoun, or by various prefix forms like ϯ- (ti-) when attached to verbs. It indicates the first person singular, referring to the speaker or writer.
Course: Coptic Language Learning Level: Beginner Topic: First Person Singular Pronoun Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Coptic Lesson Number: 8 Institution: Latinum Institute Material Type: Reading Lesson for Autodidacts
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8.1 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ϯⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ know ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲕ you anok (a-nok) I tisōoun (ti-sōōn) I-know mmok (m-mok) you
8.2 ϯⲛⲁⲩ see ⲉⲣⲟϥ him ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I tinau (ti-naw) I-see erof (e-rof) to-him anok (a-nok) I
8.3 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲡⲉ am ⲡⲥⲁϩ the-teacher anok (a-nok) I pe (pe) am psah (p-sah) the-teacher
8.4 ϯⲙⲟⲟϣⲉ walk ⲉⲡⲏⲓ to-the-house ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I timōōše (ti-mōō-še) I-walk epēi (e-pē-i) to-the-house anok (a-nok) I
8.5 ⲁⲓϫⲱ said ⲛⲁϥ to-him ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ϫⲉ that aijō (ai-jō) I-said naf (naf) to-him anok (a-nok) I je (je) that
8.6 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲡⲉⲧⲥϩⲁⲓ the-one-who-writes ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ this-book anok (a-nok) I petshai (pet-shai) the-one-who-writes mpeijōōme (m-pei-jō-ō-me) this-book
8.7 ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ want ⲉⲃⲱⲕ to-go ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I tiouōš (ti-wōsh) I-want ebōk (e-bōk) to-go anok (a-nok) I
8.8 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲇⲉ but ϯⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ believe anok (a-nok) I de (de) but tipisteue (ti-pis-tew-e) I-believe
8.9 ⲛⲉⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ was-listening ⲡⲉ PAST ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲉⲣⲟⲕ to-you neisōtm (nei-sō-tm) I-was-listening pe (pe) PAST anok (a-nok) I erok (e-rok) to-you
8.10 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲉⲓⲙⲉ know ϫⲉ that ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲕ you ⲡⲉ are anok (a-nok) I eime (ei-me) I-know je (je) that ntok (n-tok) you pe (pe) are
8.11 ϯⲛⲁϭⲓⲛⲉ will-find ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ it ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲓ myself tinačine (ti-na-či-ne) I-will-find mmof (m-mof) it anok (a-nok) I mminmmoi (m-min-m-moi) myself
8.12 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ϩⲱ also ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ want ⲉⲉⲓ to-come anok (a-nok) I hō (hō) also tiouōš (ti-wōsh) I-want eei (e-ei) to-come
8.13 ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ did-not-hear ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲉⲡⲉⲕϣⲁϫⲉ to-your-word mpisōtm (m-pi-sō-tm) I-did-not-hear anok (a-nok) I epekšaje (e-pek-sha-je) to-your-word
8.14 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲉⲧⲥϩⲁⲓ who-writes ⲛⲁⲕ to-you ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ now anok (a-nok) I etshai (et-shai) who-writes nak (nak) to-you tenou (te-now) now
8.15 ϯⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ think ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ϫⲉ that ⲕⲛⲏⲩ you-come timeeue (ti-me-ew-e) I-think anok (a-nok) I je (je) that knēu (k-nē-w) you-come
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8.1 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϯⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲕ. I know you.
8.2 ϯⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ. I see him.
8.3 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲥⲁϩ. I am the teacher.
8.4 ϯⲙⲟⲟϣⲉ ⲉⲡⲏⲓ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ. I walk to the house.
8.5 ⲁⲓϫⲱ ⲛⲁϥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϫⲉ. I said to him that...
8.6 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉⲧⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ. I am the one who writes this book.
8.7 ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲃⲱⲕ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ. I want to go.
8.8 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲇⲉ ϯⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ. But I believe.
8.9 ⲛⲉⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ. I was listening to you.
8.10 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ. I know that it is you.
8.11 ϯⲛⲁϭⲓⲛⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲓ. I will find it myself.
8.12 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϩⲱ ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲉⲓ. I also want to come.
8.13 ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲡⲉⲕϣⲁϫⲉ. I did not hear your word.
8.14 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ. I am the one writing to you now.
8.15 ϯⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϫⲉ ⲕⲛⲏⲩ. I think that you are coming.
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8.1 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϯⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲕ.
8.2 ϯⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ.
8.3 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲥⲁϩ.
8.4 ϯⲙⲟⲟϣⲉ ⲉⲡⲏⲓ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ.
8.5 ⲁⲓϫⲱ ⲛⲁϥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϫⲉ.
8.6 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉⲧⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ.
8.7 ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲃⲱⲕ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ.
8.8 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲇⲉ ϯⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ.
8.9 ⲛⲉⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ.
8.10 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ.
8.11 ϯⲛⲁϭⲓⲛⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲓ.
8.12 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϩⲱ ϯⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲉⲓ.
8.13 ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲡⲉⲕϣⲁϫⲉ.
8.14 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ.
8.15 ϯⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϫⲉ ⲕⲛⲏⲩ.
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The first person singular pronoun in Coptic appears in several forms, each with specific grammatical functions:
1. Independent Pronoun: ⲁⲛⲟⲕ (anok) -
Used for emphasis or as a standalone subject -
Can appear before or after the verb for emphasis -
Example: ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ "I am" (literally "I am-he")
2. Prefix Pronouns (attached to verbs): -
Present tense: ϯ- (ti-) "I..." -
Past tense: ⲁⲓ- (ai-) "I did..." -
Future tense: ϯⲛⲁ- (tina-) "I will..." -
Imperfect: ⲛⲉⲓ- (nei-) "I was..." -
Negative: ⲙ̄ⲡⲓ- (mpi-) "I did not..."
3. Suffix Pronouns: -
After prepositions: -ⲓ (-i) as in ⲉⲣⲟⲓ (eroi) "to me" -
Possessive: as in ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲓ "myself"
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Using ⲁⲛⲟⲕ where a prefix is needed -
Wrong: ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ -
Correct: ϯⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ "I hear" -
Forgetting to change the verb prefix for different tenses -
Present: ϯⲥϩⲁⲓ "I write" -
Past: ⲁⲓⲥϩⲁⲓ "I wrote" -
Future: ϯⲛⲁⲥϩⲁⲓ "I will write" -
Word order confusion -
Coptic often places ⲁⲛⲟⲕ after the verb for emphasis -
Example: ϯⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ "I see him" (emphasis on "I")
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Determine if you need emphasis: -
No emphasis: Use prefix pronoun (ϯ-, ⲁⲓ-, etc.) -
Emphasis: Add ⲁⲛⲟⲕ before or after the clause -
Choose the correct tense prefix: -
Present action: ϯ- -
Completed action: ⲁⲓ- -
Future action: ϯⲛⲁ- -
Ongoing past: ⲛⲉⲓ- -
For "to be" statements: -
Use ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ for "I am" (masculine) -
Use ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲧⲉ for "I am" (feminine)
Unlike English, which always uses "I" regardless of tense or emphasis, Coptic: -
Changes the form based on grammatical function -
Often incorporates "I" into the verb as a prefix -
Uses word order to show emphasis rather than voice stress -
Distinguishes between emphatic and non-emphatic forms
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The use of the first person pronoun in Coptic reflects both its Ancient Egyptian heritage and its Christian cultural context. In Coptic Christian texts, the pronoun "I" often appears in:
1. Liturgical Formulas Coptic liturgy preserves ancient patterns where the priest speaks in the first person during prayers. The emphatic ⲁⲛⲟⲕ appears in solemn declarations, while the prefix forms are used in regular prayer formulas.
2. Biblical Translation Patterns When Greek biblical texts were translated into Coptic, translators had to decide between emphatic and non-emphatic forms. The choice often reflected theological emphasis. For example, Jesus's "I am" statements (ἐγώ εἰμι) are typically rendered with ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ to preserve the emphasis.
3. Monastic Literature In the sayings of the Desert Fathers, the use of "I" reflects humility patterns. Monks often avoided the emphatic ⲁⲛⲟⲕ except when confessing sins or making spiritual commitments.
4. Personal Letters and Documents Coptic personal letters from the 4th-8th centuries show interesting patterns in "I" usage. Writers often began letters with the emphatic form (ⲁⲛⲟⲕ) when identifying themselves, then switched to prefix forms for the body of the letter.
5. Cultural Implications The flexibility of Coptic "I" forms allowed speakers to modulate self-reference according to social context. This linguistic feature supported the cultural values of appropriate humility and necessary assertion that characterized Coptic Christian society.
Understanding these patterns helps modern learners appreciate how grammar intersects with cultural values in Coptic texts.
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From the Acts of Andrew and Paul (5th century):
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲡⲉ am ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ Peter ⲡϩⲙ̄ϩⲁⲗ the-servant ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ of-the-Lord anok (a-nok) I pe (pe) am petros (pet-ros) Peter phmhal (p-hm-hal) the-servant mpjoeis (m-p-jo-eis) of-the-Lord
ⲁⲓⲉⲓ came ϣⲁⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄ to-you ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲣⲁⲛ in-the-name ⲛ̄ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ of-Jesus aiei (ai-ei) I-came šarōtn (sha-rō-tn) to-you hmpran (hm-p-ran) in-the-name niēsous (n-iē-sous) of-Jesus
ϯⲛⲁϫⲱ will-speak ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ to-you ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ the-things-which-I-saw ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ them tinajō (ti-na-jō) I-will-speak nētn (nē-tn) to-you nnentainau (n-nen-tai-naw) the-things-which-I-saw eroou (e-roo-u) them
ⲁⲩⲱ and ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲥⲟⲧⲙⲟⲩ the-things-which-I-heard-them ⲉⲃⲟⲗ from ϩⲓⲧⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ through-the-Lord auō (aw-ō) and nentaisotmou (nen-tai-sot-mou) the-things-which-I-heard-them ebol (e-bol) from hitmpjoeis (hit-m-p-jo-eis) through-the-Lord
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ ⲡϩⲙ̄ϩⲁⲗ ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ. ⲁⲓⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲛ̄ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ. ϯⲛⲁϫⲱ ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲥⲟⲧⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ.
I am Peter, the servant of the Lord. I have come to you in the name of Jesus. I will tell you the things which I saw and the things which I heard from the Lord.
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ ⲡϩⲙ̄ϩⲁⲗ ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ. ⲁⲓⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲛ̄ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ. ϯⲛⲁϫⲱ ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲥⲟⲧⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ.
This passage demonstrates several uses of the first person pronoun: -
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ - Emphatic identification formula "I am," used when Peter introduces himself -
ⲁⲓⲉⲓ - Past tense prefix ⲁⲓ- "I came/have come" -
ϯⲛⲁϫⲱ - Future tense prefix ϯⲛⲁ- "I will speak" -
ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ - Relative clause with past tense "the things which I saw" -
ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲁⲓⲥⲟⲧⲙⲟⲩ - Another relative clause "the things which I heard"
The passage shows how Coptic handles complex sentences involving multiple instances of "I" through different pronoun forms, avoiding the repetition that would occur in English.
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8.16 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ Paulos ϯⲥϩⲁⲓ write ⲛⲁⲕ to-you ⲧⲁⲥⲟⲛ my-sister anok (a-nok) I paulos (paw-los) Paulos tishai (ti-shai) I-write nak (nak) to-you tason (ta-son) my-sister
8.17 ϯϣⲓⲛⲉ greet ⲉⲣⲟ to-you ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲙⲁⲧⲉ greatly ϩⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ in-the-Lord tišine (ti-shi-ne) I-greet ero (e-ro) to-you anok (a-nok) I mate (ma-te) greatly hmpjoeis (hm-p-jo-eis) in-the-Lord
8.18 ⲁⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ heard ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ϫⲉ that ⲕⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ you-are-well aisōtm (ai-sō-tm) I-heard anok (a-nok) I je (je) that koujai (k-ou-jai) you-are-well
8.19 ϯϯ give ⲉⲟⲟⲩ glory ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ to-God ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲉⲧⲃⲏⲏⲧⲕ̄ concerning-you titi (ti-ti) I-give eoou (e-oo-u) glory mpnoute (m-p-nou-te) to-God anok (a-nok) I etbēētk (et-bē-ēt-k) concerning-you
8.20 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ϩⲱⲧ myself ϯⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ am-well ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ in-God anok (a-nok) I hōt (hōt) myself tioujai (ti-ou-jai) I-am-well hmpnoute (hm-p-nou-te) in-God
8.21 ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲣ̄ⲱϣⲉ was-not-able ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲉⲉⲓ to-come ϣⲁⲣⲟ to-you ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ now mpirōše (m-pi-rō-she) I-was-not-able anok (a-nok) I eei (e-ei) to-come šaro (sha-ro) to-you tenou (te-nou) now
8.22 ⲁⲓϩⲉ found ⲅⲁⲣ for ⲉⲩϩⲱⲃ a-work ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲙⲁ in-this-place aihe (ai-he) I-found gar (gar) for euhōb (eu-hōb) a-work anok (a-nok) I mpeima (m-pei-ma) in-this-place
8.23 ϯⲛⲁⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲟⲩ will-send ⲛⲉ to-you ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛϩⲃⲟⲟⲥ some-garments tinatnnoou (ti-na-tn-noo-u) I-will-send ne (ne) to-you anok (a-nok) I nhenhboos (n-hen-h-boos) some-garments
8.24 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ all ⲥⲉϣⲓⲛⲉ they-greet ⲉⲣⲟ to-you anok (a-nok) I tērou (tē-rou) all sešine (se-shi-ne) they-greet ero (e-ro) to-you
8.25 ϯⲥⲟⲡⲥ̄ entreat ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ you ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ to-pray ⲉϫⲱⲓ for-me tisops (ti-sops) I-entreat mmo (m-mo) you anok (a-nok) I ešlēl (e-shlēl) to-pray ejōi (e-jō-i) for-me
8.26 ⲁⲓⲥϩⲁⲓ wrote ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲓ myself ⲧⲁϭⲓϫ my-hand aishai (ai-shai) I-wrote anok (a-nok) I mminmmoi (m-min-m-moi) myself tačij (ta-čij) my-hand
8.27 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲉⲓⲛⲁⲧⲁⲁⲥ will-give-it ⲛ̄ⲓⲱϩⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ to-John ⲉⲧⲣⲉϥⲉⲓⲥ to-bring-it anok (a-nok) I einataas (ei-na-taas) I-will-give-it niōhannēs (n-iō-han-nēs) to-John etrefeis (et-ref-eis) to-bring-it
8.28 ϯⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ remember ⲉⲣⲟ you ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ daily timeeue (ti-me-eu-e) I-remember ero (e-ro) you anok (a-nok) I mmēne (m-mē-ne) daily
8.29 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ holy ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ Maria ⲥⲉϣⲓⲛⲉ greets ⲉⲣⲟ you anok (a-nok) I etouaab (et-ou-aab) holy maria (ma-ri-a) Maria sešine (se-shi-ne) she-greets ero (e-ro) you
8.30 ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ farewell ϩⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ in-the-Lord ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲟⲛ your-brother oujai (ou-jai) farewell hmpjoeis (hm-p-jo-eis) in-the-Lord anok (a-nok) I pekson (pek-son) your-brother
8.16 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ ϯⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲧⲁⲥⲟⲛ. I, Paul, write to you, my sister.
8.17 ϯϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙⲁⲧⲉ ϩⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ. I greet you greatly in the Lord.
8.18 ⲁⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϫⲉ ⲕⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ. I heard that you are well.
8.19 ϯϯ ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲃⲏⲏⲧⲕ̄. I give glory to God concerning you.
8.20 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϩⲱⲧ ϯⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ. I myself am well in God.
8.21 ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲣ̄ⲱϣⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲟ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ. I was not able to come to you now.
8.22 ⲁⲓϩⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲩϩⲱⲃ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲙⲁ. For I found work in this place.
8.23 ϯⲛⲁⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛϩⲃⲟⲟⲥ. I will send you some garments.
8.24 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲥⲉϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ. All of us greet you.
8.25 ϯⲥⲟⲡⲥ̄ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲱⲓ. I entreat you to pray for me.
8.26 ⲁⲓⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲓ ⲧⲁϭⲓϫ. I wrote with my own hand.
8.27 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲓⲛⲁⲧⲁⲁⲥ ⲛ̄ⲓⲱϩⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⲉⲧⲣⲉϥⲉⲓⲥ. I will give it to John to bring it.
8.28 ϯⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ. I remember you daily.
8.29 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲥⲉϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ. I, holy Maria, greet you.
8.30 ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ϩⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲟⲛ. Farewell in the Lord, I your brother.
8.16 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ ϯⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲧⲁⲥⲟⲛ.
8.17 ϯϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙⲁⲧⲉ ϩⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ.
8.18 ⲁⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϫⲉ ⲕⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ.
8.19 ϯϯ ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲃⲏⲏⲧⲕ̄.
8.20 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϩⲱⲧ ϯⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ϩⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ.
8.21 ⲙ̄ⲡⲓⲣ̄ⲱϣⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲟ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ.
8.22 ⲁⲓϩⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲩϩⲱⲃ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲙⲁ.
8.23 ϯⲛⲁⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲛ̄ϩⲉⲛϩⲃⲟⲟⲥ.
8.24 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲥⲉϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ.
8.25 ϯⲥⲟⲡⲥ̄ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϫⲱⲓ.
8.26 ⲁⲓⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲓ ⲧⲁϭⲓϫ.
8.27 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲓⲛⲁⲧⲁⲁⲥ ⲛ̄ⲓⲱϩⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⲉⲧⲣⲉϥⲉⲓⲥ.
8.28 ϯⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ.
8.29 ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲥⲉϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲉⲣⲟ.
8.30 ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ϩⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲟⲛ.
Letter-Writing Conventions with "I"
Personal letters in Coptic follow specific patterns for the first person pronoun:
1. Opening Formula: -
Letters typically begin with ⲁⲛⲟⲕ + name for self-identification -
Example: ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ "I, Paul"
2. Greeting Formulas: -
Use present tense prefix: ϯϣⲓⲛⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ "I greet you" -
Often combined with religious phrases: ϩⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ "in the Lord"
3. Body of Letter Patterns: -
Past tense for news: ⲁⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ̄ "I heard" -
Future tense for promises: ϯⲛⲁⲧⲛ̄ⲛⲟⲟⲩ "I will send" -
Present tense for current states: ϯⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ "I am well"
4. Emphatic Uses: -
ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϩⲱⲧ "I myself" for emphasis -
ⲙ̄ⲙⲓⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲓ "myself" for personal action
5. Closing Formulas: -
Self-identification repeated: ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲟⲛ "I, your brother" -
Religious farewell: ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ϩⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ "farewell in the Lord"
Common Letter-Writing Phrases: -
ⲁⲓⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲧⲁϭⲓϫ "I wrote with my hand" (authentication) -
ϯⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ "I remember you" (affection) -
ϯⲥⲟⲡⲥ̄ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲕ "I entreat you" (request)
Stylistic Notes: Letters show more varied placement of ⲁⲛⲟⲕ than other genres, often for emphasis or clarity. The writer's personality and relationship to the recipient influence pronoun usage patterns.
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The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006, pioneering self-directed learning approaches for ancient languages. These Coptic lessons are part of our comprehensive ancient language curriculum designed specifically for autodidacts.
Our method, detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, emphasizes: -
Construed Reading: Breaking down authentic texts word-by-word to build comprehension -
Extensive Examples: Each lesson provides 30+ sentences to ensure pattern recognition -
Cultural Context: Understanding language through its historical and cultural setting -
Progressive Difficulty: Starting with basic constructions and building to complex texts -
Genre Variety: Exposing learners to different types of Coptic writing
This approach allows students to begin reading real Coptic texts immediately while building systematic knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. The interlinear format supports independent learning by providing immediate access to meaning without constant dictionary consultation.
The Latinum Institute's materials have helped thousands of students worldwide master ancient languages through self-study. Our commitment to comprehensive, untruncated lessons ensures that each lesson serves as a complete, standalone learning resource.
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