The Sacred Language of the Sikhs
Posted on May 28, 2020
- Enrollment in this course closed on 06/19/2020.
- Enrollment has closed because the maximum number of allowed students has been reached.
Course Information
What is Guru Sahib trying to say? What do those ਔਂਕੜs and ਸਿਹਾਰੀs at the end of words in Gurbani mean? Is the shabad in the first, second, or third person? Who is Guru Sahib talking to?
When we read Gurbani, we can sometimes be overwhelmed with the linguistics that Guru Sahib has to offer. These linguistics cannot be simply reduced to “you need to know Punjabi”, which is done so very often, as the language in Gurbani is a beautiful mix of Punjabi dialects, Hindustani dialects, Farsi, Sindhi, and many other languages. Even the English translations we find can seem shallow and problematic. This causes many people to get frustrated in trying to interpret Bani. Guru Sahib uses very complex and intricate grammars and linguistics to make sure that the interpretations of those shabads are crystal clear and stops incorrect interpretations and translations to take place. Understanding these grammars stops people from being influenced by incorrect translations and exegesis. The purpose of this course is to teach students to interpret and understand Gurbani themselves, thus being able to rely on themselves to understand Guru Sahib.
The course will cover the grammar and the linguistics found in Guru Granth Sahib. By the end of course, students should be able to interpret and translate Gurbani themselves. They will also be able to understand how to write sentences in the grammatic framework provided by the Guru Granth Sahib.
The course is built for people who are proficient in Gurmukhi and in reading Gurbani. The textbook required is Introduction to The Sacred Language of the Sikhs by Christopher Shackle. The course will be taught by Gurbeer Singh, who is a PhD student at the University of California, Riverside in the Religious Studies department. It will take place through synchronous meetings in Zoom.
Prerequisites
Proficiency in Gurmukhi and reading Gurbani
Required Texts: “Introduction to The Sacred Language of the Sikhs” by Christopher Shackle
(Details on how to obtain the text will be provided once you have registered for the course.)
FAQ
Q: What is the course syllabus?
June 16: Lesson 1 – Singular Masculine Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives, and Simple Sentences
June 18: Lesson 2 – Plural and Other Masculine Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives
June 23: Lesson 3 – Feminine Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives
June 25: Lesson 4 – Simple Verbs and Present Tense
June 30: Lesson 5 – Absolutive Case and Present Tense Continued
July 2: Lesson 6 – Present Tense Continued
July 7: Lesson 7 – Infinitives, Gerundives, and Relativeness
July 9: Lesson 8 – Oblique Pronouns
July 14: Lesson 9 – Oblique Nouns, Adjectives, and Post Positions
July 16: Lesson 10 – Possessive Postpositions
July 21: Lesson 11 – The Vocative Case and Interjections
July 23: Lesson 12 – The Ablative Case and Emphatics
July 28: Lesson 13 – Future Tense
July 30: Lesson 14 – The Locative Case
August 4: Lesson 15 – Adjectival Declensions and Locative Verbs
August 6: Lesson 16 – Special Pronouns
August 11: Lesson 17 – The Present Passive
August 13: Lesson 18 – Special Verbs
August 18: Lesson 19 – Past Participles
August 20: Lesson 20 – Irregular Past Participles and more
August 25: Lesson 21 – Irregular Past Participles and more Continued
August 27: Lesson 22 – Present Participles
September 1: Lesson 23 – Participles Continued
September 3: Lesson 24 – End Material
Q: What times will the remote sessions take place?
Sessions will take place remotely, twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM PST and 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM EST.
Q: Can I take the course and watch recordings on my own time?
As of now, there are no plans to offer video recordings. If you are not available to attend the live Zoom meetings, we request that you do not register for the course. The Sacred Language of the Sikhs is an interactive course, as such, you will benefit most if you are able to actively attend the sessions remotely via Zoom.
Q: I registered but I had change of plans. Can I get a refund?
Refunds are available until June 12. After this, no refunds will be issued.
Q: Would the $50 be tax-deductible as it’s going to a non-profit?
No, the course fee is not tax deductible unfortunately, as you are getting a benefit from the purchase. However, a separate donation to Khalis Foundation will be tax-deductible.
Q: Do multiple people in the same household need to register separately?
We highly recommend a separate registration for each attendee since this is an interactive course. If you are going to be sharing the session over the same device, it must be limited to 2 people. Course completion certification will only be provided in the name of the person who registered for the course. If you have any special circumstances, please do not refrain from contacting us.
Q: I am really interested in the course but cannot afford to pay.
Please get in touch with us to discuss options.
Course Instructor
Gurbeer Singh
UC Riverside
Gurbeer Singh is a third-year PhD student at University of California, Riverside. His current research interests include Sikh sectarianism, modern Panthic conflict, Sikh Historiographies, and invented tradition. He currently has an upcoming publication entitled “The Nagar Kirtan” which will be published in the edited volume entitled The Sikh World. He is fluent in Punjabi (Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi), Urdu, and Hindi.