Tibetan Language Program Course Outline

Note: All language courses must be taken for a letter grade, without exception. Students may not take language courses for either R-Credit or Pass/Fail.

Modern Tibetan

First Year Modern Colloquial Tibetan I & II: Instructor: Sonam Tsering. This is an introductory course and no previous knowledge is required. It focuses on developing basic abilities to speak as well as to read and write in modern Tibetan, Lhasa dialect. Students are also introduced to modern Tibetan studies through selected readings and guest lectures.

Second Year Modern Colloquial Tibetan I & II: Instructor: Sonam Tsering. For those whose knowledge is equivalent to a student who’s completed the First Year course. The course focuses on the further development of their skills in using the language to engage with practical topics and situations, such as seeing a doctor, reading news, writing letters, and listening to music.

Third Year Modern Colloquial Tibetan I & II: Instructor: Sonam Tsering. For those whose knowledge is equivalent to a student who’s completed the Second Year course. The course develops students’ reading comprehension skills through reading selected modern Tibetan literature. Tibetan is used as the medium of instruction and interaction to develop oral fluency and proficiency.

Classical/Literary Tibetan

First-year Classical Tibetan I (Fall) Instructor: Sonam Tsering Ngulphu

The course is designed for first-time learners of Tibetan. It introduces students to the basics of the Tibetan language, including alphabet and phonics, Romanized transliteration, and grammar. Based on a traditional mnemonic, students learn the case- and particle-based grammar systems, which correspond to ‘parts of sentences and particles’ in English grammar. Students learn how to read, write, and type in Uchen script and use dictionaries to aid comprehension.

This course has no prerequisites.

First-year Classical Tibetan II (Spring) Instructor: Sonam Tsering Ngulphu

This course focuses on reading texts from different canonical sources, such as Sutras, Tantras, Shastras, and Sungbum, i.e., Buddha’s discourses, esoteric texts, exegetical treatises, and Tibetan commentaries, which exemplify standard Tibetan language. In addition to learning receptive skills through skimming, scanning, comprehending, and reviewing, students develop productive writing skills by restructuring strategies, initially using recycled words and constructs. Students learn Umé Tsukring, the long-unhooded serif Tibetan script.

Second-Year Classical Tibetan I (Fall) Instructor: Sonam Tsering Ngulphu

This course introduces students to the phonological tone-based grammar system to complement the case- and particles-based grammar systems. This system, considered a critical component of the Tibetan language, governs phonics, verbs, and tenses and explains how a word inflects and why a word declines. Class materials are mainly based on two traditional Tibetan grammar mnemonics. The course reinforces familiarity with Ume Tsukring, which, besides Uchen, provides an archetypical basis for other scripts.

Second-Year Classical Tibetan II (Spring) Instructor: Sonam Tsering Ngulphu

This course includes readings of works by prominent Tibetan authors such as Sakya Pandita, Gungtang Konchok Tenpé Dronme, Dza Petrul, Tsangnyon Heruka, and Phabongka. These readings reinforce the knowledge of the case-, particles-, and phonological tone-based grammar studied in the previous semesters. Students also learn to read two new Tibetan scripts—Umé Tsuktung or short unhooded serif script. Students are also introduced to basic styles in Tibetan writings and publications.

Advanced Literary/Classical Tibetan I (Fall) Instructor: Sonam Tsering Ngulphu

The course includes readings from different literary genres, such as official letters, polemics, journals, chronicles, and writings on art and culture. Students are introduced to new cultural, political, religious, and philosophical concepts and terms. They are also taught cultural nuances, subtleties, customs, and etiquettes embedded in language. The class also introduces students to word usage, intonation, and syntax. Students learn Umé Tsukmakhyuk, the unhooded semi-cursive san serif script.

Advanced Literary/Classical Tibetan II (Spring) Instructor: Sonam Tsering Ngulphu

The course includes readings on traditional and modern-day law and jurisprudence, poetics and poetry, doxography, manuals on religious rites and rituals, and the ancient historical documents uncovered from the Dunhuang caves. Students are introduced to texts in cursive script. Students learn Umé Khyuk, the unhooded cursive san serif script used in all formal correspondences and official documents. Students learn more advanced styles in Tibetan writings and publications.

SHARED COURSE INITIATIVE

Courses on modern Tibetan and literary/classical Tibetan are offered by the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures to the students and affiliates of Columbia University and those of Cornell and Yale through the Shared Course Initiative.