Peace Corps. Armenian Familiarization Course
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nation. This legend has been transferred from generation to generation until, in the mid twentieth
century, it was documented. The legend is the national strive for peace and justice. Today the
monument of Sasuntsi Davit decorates the cozy squares in Yerevan leading to the railway station.
Matenadaran Armenian Manuscript Statue of Sasuntsi Davit
The principal literary figure of the 12th century is Catholicos Narses IV, a prelate and poet notable
for his literary style. After the decline of Armenian cultural centers in the 14th century, the literature
of Armenians abroad was heavily influenced by their host countries. In 18th-century
Constantinople, Mechitar (1676-1749), a monk of the Catholic Armenians, founded a community
(the Mechitarists) to cultivate Armenian letters. Their headquarters are now in Venice, and they are
the principal Armenian publishers. Anticipated by the late 18th-century folk poetry of Sayat-Nova
(Haroutioum Sayadian), the 19th century saw a considerable revival of Armenian letters and the
establishment of a modern literary language. The major novelists of the 19th century were
Khachatur Abovian and Hagop Melik-Agopian (called "Raffi"), Hovhannes Toumanian who
created many fascinating fairy tales and wonderful Armenian poetry, Yeghishe Tcharentz (who with
others perished in Stalin's purges), Parouyr Sevak, and others.
Sayat Nova Hovhannes Toumanian Parouyr Sevak Yeghishe Charents
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LANGUAGE
The Armenian Language is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people in the
Republic of Armenia, in Georgia (especially in Samtskhe-Javakheti), Mountainous Karabakh
(
Nagorno-Karabakh) and also used by the Armenian Diaspora.
It constitutes an independent branch of the Indo-European language family, though many Indo-
Europanists believe it forms a sub group with the Greek branch (see Graeco-Armenian) and /or the
Indo-Irania family. Armenians have their own highly distinctive alphabet invented by Mesrop
Mashtots in 406 AD and consists of 36 letters (7 vowels, and 29 consonants). Unlike the English
language, Armenian words are read the way they are written.
Mesrop Mashtots Armenian Alphabet
The two modern literacy dialects are Western (originally associated with writers in the Ottman
Empire) and Eastern (originally associated with writers in the Russian Empire) Armenians can
understand both. Those dialects in their turn have sub dialects.
Grammar
Armenian resembles other Indo-European languages in its structure. Armenian is rich in
combinations of consonants. It has complicated system of declining nouns, with six or seven noun
cases but no gender.
21
Phonology
In the table below the pronunciation of Armenian letters is explained through English words.
ARMENIAN
LETTER
SOUND ENGLISH
SYMBOL
ARMENIAN
LETTER
SOUND ENGLISH
SYMBOL
ա
a as in
Amen
A
յ
y as in yes
y
բ
b as in bat
B
ն
n as in
note
n
գ
g as in go
G
շ
sh as in
show
sh
դ
d as in dog
D
ո
(v)o as in
voice
(v)o
ե
(y)e as in
yes
Ye
չ
ch as in
cheap
ch
զ
z as in zoo
z
պ
p as in spy
p
է
e as in end
e
ջ
j as in jog
j
ը
ˆ as in
abroad
ə
ռ
r hard as
in ricotta
(Spanish)
rr
թ
t as in two
t
ս
s as in sun
s
ժ
zh as in
azure
zh
վ
v as in
vote
v
ի
ee as in
bee
i
տ
t as in
stick
t
լ
l as in lot
l
ր
r as in
room
R
խ
kh as in
Bach
kh
ց
ts as in
tsar
(Russian)
ts
ծ
ts as in its
ts
ու
u as in
rule
U
կ
k as in
kayak
k
փ
p as in
papa
P
հ
H as in hen
h
ք
k as in kite
K
ձ
dz as in
adds
dz
և
ye as in
yes+v
yev
ղ
gh as in
pardon
(French)
gh
օ
o as in all
O
ճ
does not
exist in
English
tch
ֆ
f as in
fund
f
մ
m as in
mall
m
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Lesson 1
People and Geography
Մարդիկ և աշխարհագրություն
Mardik ev ashkharagrutyun
This lesson will introduce you to:
- Simple greetings and basic introductions in Armenian
- How to greet people in formal and informal situations in Armenia
- Personal pronouns
- Possessive pronouns
- How to use the verbs “to be” and “to live” in the present tense
- Basic geographical names of Armenia.
PEOPLE
1.Listen to these simple greetings and phrases in Armenian and repeat them after the speaker.
Hello. Hi
Barev. Vokhchuyn.
Բարև: Ողջույն:
Good morning. Bari arravot
Բարի առավոտ
Good afternoon. Bari or
Բարի օր:
Good Evening. Bari ereko
Բարի երեկո:
How are you? Inchpes ek
Ինչպե՞ս եք:
2. How would you greet someone at 7am, at 10am, at 2pm, at 5pm, and at 10pm? Exchange greetings
with your teacher and your partner.
3. Familiarize yourself with personal pronouns. Listen to the audio and repeat after the speaker.
Grammar notes: Armenian
has three persons 1
st
, 2
nd
. and
3
rd
. Armenian uses the same
word for he/she “na.” Armenian
has two forms for “you:”
singular- “du” and you plural
“duk.” “Du” is used for one
person and for informal address.
“Duk” is used for more than one
person and for polite and formal
address.
I Yes
Ես
you Du
դու
he Na
Նա
she Na
Նա
we Menk
մենք
you (plural) Duk
դուք
they Nrank
նրանք
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4.Listen to the following dialogues and repeat after the speaker. Then, read the dialogues in pairs.
In the morning Arravotyan
Առավոտյան
Hakob: Good morning!
Hakob: Bari arravot.
Հակոբ. Բարի առավւտ:
Anahit: Good morning. Anahit: Bari arravot.
Անահիտ. Բարի առավւտ:
During the day Tserek
Ə
Ցերեկը
Lilit: Good afternoon!
Lilit: Bari or.
Լիլիթ. Բարի օր:
Karen: Good afternoon. Karen: Bari or.
Կարեն.
Բարի օր:
Lilit: How are you?
Lilit: Inchpes es?
Լիլիթ
Ինչպե՞ս ես:
Karen: Fine, thank you.
And you?
Karen: Lav, shnorhakalutyun, isk du?
Կարեն
Լավ,
շնորհակալություն, իսկ դու՞:
Lilit: Very well.
Lilit: Shat lav.
Լիլիթ. Շատ լավ:
In the Evening Yerekoyan
Երեկոյան
Vardan: Good evening,
Ani.
Vardan: Bari yereko, Ani.
Վարդան . Բարի երեկո Անի:
Ani: Good evening. Ani: Bari yereko.
Անի . Բարի երեկո:
Vardan: How are you,
Ani?
Vardan: Inchpes ek, Ani?
Վարդան. Ինչպե՞ս եք, Անի:
Ani: Fine, thank you.
And you?
Ani: Lav, shnorhakalutyun, isk duk?
Անի. Լավ, շնորհակալություն,
իսկ Դու՞ք:
Vardan: Fine. Good night. Vardan: Lav. Bari gisher.
Վարդան .
Լավ: Բարի գիշեր:
Ani: Good night, Vardan. Ani: Bari gisher.
Անի. Բարի գիշեր, Վարդան:
Informal
Haik: Hi, Karine. Hayk: Vokhchuyn, Karine.
Հայկ.
Ողջույն, Կարինե:
Karine: Hi! Karine: Vokhchuyn.
Կարինե . Ողջույն:
Haik: How are you? Hayk: Vonts es?
Հայկ. Ո՞նց ես:
Karine: Good. And you? Karine: Lav. Du?
Կարինե. Լավ: Դու՞:
Haik: Good! Hayk: Lav.
Հայկ. Լավ:
Karine: Bye! Karine: Tstesutyun.
Կարինե. : Հաջող:
5. Use the dialogues above as a model, and compose your own similar dialogues. Work in pairs or in
small groups.
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GEOGRAPHY
Grammar note: The verb
“to be”
in Armenian has a different form for each person (i.e. I, you, he/she/it,
we, you, they) somewhat similar to the English
“to be.”
Unlike in English, the Armenian “to be” follows
words: the English translation would sound like this: “I from Yerevan
am.”
I am from… Yes… -its em
Ես …- ից եմ:
You are from… Du… -its es
Դու …- ից ես:
He is from… Na …-its e
Նա …- ից է:
She is from… Na … its e
Նա …- ից է:
It is from… Sa … its e
Սա …- ից է:
We are from… Menk … its enk
Մենք …- ից ենք:
You are from… Duk …-its ek
Դուք …- ից եք:
They are from… Nrank… its en
Նրանք …- ից են:
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6. Listen to the following sentences and repeat after the speaker.
1. I am Armenian. Yes hay em.
1. Ես հայ եմ:
I am from Armenia. Yes Hayastanits em.
Ես Հայաստանից եմ:
2. He is Armenian. Na hay e.
2. Նա հայ է:
He is from Armenia. Na hayastanits e.
Նա Հայաստանից է
3. She is Armenian. Na hay e.
3. Նա հայ է:
She is from Yerevan. Na Yerevanits e.
Նա Երևանից է:
4. We are Armenian. Menk hay enk.
4. Մենք հայ ենք:
We are from Vanadzor. Menk Vanadzorits enk.
Մենք Վանաձորից ենք:
5. You are Armenian. Duk hay ek.
5. Դուք հայ եք:
You are from Armavir. Duk Armavirits ek.
Դուք Արմավիրից եք:
6. They are Armenian. Nrank hay en.
6. Նրանք հայ են
They are from Kapan. Nrank Ghapanits en.
Նրանք Ղափանից են:
7. Pretend you and your classmates are from Armenia. Introduce yourself and your classmates to your
friend, in Armenian. Use the model below and the map. .
MODEL:
Ես հայ եմ: Ես Վանաձորից եմ: Վարդանը հայ է: Նա Արմավիրից է:
Yes hay em. Yes Vanadzorits em. Vardan
Ə hay e. Na Armavirits e.
Հայկն ու Մարգարիտը հայ են: Նրանք Ղափանից են
Haykn u Margarit
Ə hay en. Nrank Ghapanits en.
Where are you from?
I am from Yerevan.
Duk vorteghits ek?
Yes Yerevanits em.
Դուք որտեղի՞ց եք:
Ես Երևանից եմ:
Where is he (she/it) from?
He (she/it) is from Kapan.
Na vorteghits e?
Na Ghapahits e.
Նա որտեղի՞ց է:
Նա Ղափանից է:
Where are we (they) from?
We (they) are from Vanadzor.
Menk (nrank) vorteghits enk
(en)?
Menk (nrank) Vanadzorits enk
(en).
Մենք (Նրանք) որտեղի՞ց ենք
(են):
Մենք (Նրանք) Վանաձորից
ենք (են):
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8. Listen to the following dialogues in Armenian. Repeat after the speaker. Follow along in your
workbook.
1. A. I am from Abovyan. 1. A. Es Abovyanits em.
1. Ա. Ես Աբովյանից եմ:
Where are you from? Duk vorteghits ek?
Դուք որտեղի՞ց եք:
B. I am from Gyumri. B. Yes Gyumriits em.
Բ. Ես Գյումրիից եմ:
2. A. Karine is from Kapan. 2. A. Karinen Ghapanits e.
2. Ա. Կարինեն
Ղափանից է:
Where is Vardan from?
Vardan
Ə vortexits e?
Վարդանը որտեղի՞ց է:
B. He is from Vanadzor. B. Na Vanadzorits e.
Բ. Վարդանը
Վանաձորից է:
3. A. I am from Noyemberyan. 3. A. Es Noyemberyanits em.
3. Ա. Ես Նոյեմբերյանից
եմ:
Where are you and Nune
from?
Vorteghits ek Duk yev
Nunen?
Որտեղի՞ց եք Դուք և
Նունեն:
B. We are from Eghegnadzor. B. Menk Eghegnadzorits
enk.
Բ. Մենք Եղեգնաձորից
ենք:
4. A. Hayk is from Abovyan.
4. A. Hayk
Ə Abovyanits e.
4.Ա. Հայկը Աբովյանից է:
Where are Karen and Lilit
from?
Vortexits en Karenn u
lilitƏ?
Որտեղի՞ց են
Կարենն ու Լիլիթը:
B. They are from Martuni. B. Nrank Martunuts en.
Բ. Նրանք Մարտունուց
են:
9. Role-play the dialogues above using the map of Armenia.
Grammar note: To ask a general question “Are you…?” Armenian simply adds a question mark to the
personal form of verb “to be.” If the answer to the question is “yes”- “այո” (“ayo”), then the word “ayo” is
added to the statement, if the answer is “no” –“ոչ” (“voch”), a negative particle
(ch) is added to the personal
form of the verb “to be.”
չ
Am I from…? Yes, I am. No, I am not.
Ես …. – ից ե՞մ: Այո, ես… եմ Ոչ, ես … չեմ:
Yes… its em?
Ayo, yes em. Voch, yes chem.
Are you from…? Yes, you are. No, you are not.
Դու …. – ից ե՞ս: Այո, դու …. ես: Ոչ, դու … չես:
Du…its es?
Ayo, du… es. Voch, du ches
27
Is he from…? Yes, he is. No, he is not.
Նա … – ից է՞: Այո, նա … է: Ոչ, նա … չէ:
Na … its e?
Ayo, na e. Voch, na chi
Is she from…? Yes, she is. No, she is not.
Նա …– ից է՞: Այո, նա … է: Ոչ, նա … չէ:
Na … its e?
Ayo, na e. Voch, na chi
Is it from…? Yes, it is. No, it is not.
Դա …– ից է՞: Այո, դա … է: Ոչ, դա … չէ:
Sa … its e?
Ayo, na e. Voch, sa chi
Are we from…? Yes, we are. No, we are not.
Մենք ….– ից ե՞նք: Այո, մենք … ենք: Ոչ
, մենք … չենք:
Menk … its enk?
Ayo, sa e. Voch, menk chenk
Are they from…? Yes, they are. No, they are not.
Նրանք ….– ից ե՞ն: Այո, նրանք …. են: Ոչ, նրանք …. չեն:
Nrank … its en?
Ayo, nrank en Voch, nrank chen
10. Read the following dialogues and role-play them with a partner.
1. A. Are you from Armenia? 1. A. Du Hayastanits es?
1, Ա, Դու Հայաստանից ե՞ս:
B. Yes, I am. B. Ayo.
Բ, Այո
2. A. Are you from Kapan? 2. A. Duk Ghapanits ek?
2, Ա, Դուք Ղափանից ե՞ք:
B. No, I am not. I am from Yerevan. B. Voch, es Yerevanits em.
Բ, Ոչ, ես Երևանից եմ:
3. A. Is Ashot from Armenia?
3. A. Ashot
Ə Hayastanits e?
3. Ա, Աշոտը Հայաստանի՞ց է:
B. Yes, he is.
Բ, Այո:
4. A. Are Karen and Lilit from
Vanadzor?
4. A. Karenn u Lilit
Ə
4, Ա, Կարենն ու Լիլիթը
Վանաձորից ե՞ն:
B. Yes, they are. B. Ayo.
Բ, Այո:
28
What is your
name?
Inch e ko
anun
Ə ?
Ի՞նչ է քո անունը; What is your
name?
Inch e Dzer
anunƏ ?
Ի՞նչ է Ձեր
անունը:
My name is
Souren.
Im anun
Ə
Suren e.
Իմ անունը
Սուրեն է:
My name is
Petros
Margaryan
Im anun
Ə
Petros
Margaryan e.
Իմ անունը
Պետրոս
Մարգարյան է:
Grammar note: The possessive pronouns in Armenian are formed the following way: ես (yes) – իմ (im),
դու (du)– քո (ko), նա (na) – նրա (nra), մենք (menk) – մեր (mer), դուք (duk) – ձեր (dzer), նրանք
(nrank) – նրանց (nrants)
I Yes
Ես
My Im
Իմ
You Du
Դու
Your Ko
Քո
He Na
Նա
His Nra
Նրա
She Na
Նա
Her Nra
Նրա
It Sa
Սա
Its Sra
Սրա
We Menk
Մենք
Our Mer
Մեր
You Duk
Դուք
Your Dzer
Ձեր
They Nrank
Նրանք
Their nrants
Նրանց
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