John Healey’s, Leshono Suryoyo, is an introductory grammar for those wishing to learn to read Classical Syriac, one of the major literary dialects of Aramaic and the language of one of the main groups of Middle Eastern churches, including the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Church of the East, and the Chaldaean Church. From the first centuries of the Christian era, Syriac was used by the main theological and historical writers of this tradition (Ephrem the Syrian, Philoxenus of Mabbogh, Thomas of Marga, and Barhebraeus). It also continues to be used in worship.

John Healey (Ph.D., University of London) is Professor of Semitic Studies in the University of Manchester (U.K.). His many research publications include books and articles on various dialects of Aramaic, especially on Nabataean Aramaic (inscriptions from Jordan and Saudi Arabia) and on Syriac (originally the Aramaic dialect of Edessa in southern Turkey). He has also published a book on the early history of the alphabet. His teaching is mostly concerned with Aramaic and Syriac and the religious history of the Middle East.