In September 2023, the Assyrian Cultural Foundation (ACF) launched its Ashurbanipal Library Nabu Series Lectures with a distinguished inaugural talk by Prof. Dr. Efrem Yildiz, Full Professor at the University of Salamanca.
How Should Modern Assyrian Be Taught? – Lecture by Prof. Efrem Yildiz
In September 2023, the Assyrian Cultural Foundation (ACF) launched its Ashurbanipal Library Nabu Series Lectures with a distinguished inaugural talk by Prof. Dr. Efrem Yildiz, Full Professor at the University of Salamanca. In this insightful lecture, Prof. Yildiz explores the theme “How Should Modern Assyrian Be Taught?”, addressing the pedagogical, cultural, and institutional challenges of teaching a living language that stands at the core of Assyrian identity. He discusses methods for fostering fluency, literacy, and critical understanding among new generations—emphasizing that the preservation of the language is inseparable from the preservation of cultural continuity itself.
The Nabu Series, inspired by the ancient Assyrian god of wisdom, seeks to bridge the vast expanse of Assyrian history—from ancient and classical to modern times—through monthly lectures by leading scholars. Each session reflects the spirit of King Ashurbanipal’s libraries, gathering and sharing knowledge from across disciplines to enrich both the Assyrian community and the broader world of scholarship.
The series also recalls the enduring legacy of Assyrian learning traditions: from the royal archives of Nineveh and the School of Nisibis, to the wide-reaching missionary and educational activities of the Church of the East. Even after the devastating losses of the early twentieth century, this intellectual heritage remains alive in the global Assyrian community’s pursuit of education, research, and cultural revival.
In this context, Prof. Yildiz’s lecture represents not only an academic reflection but also a call to action—urging modern Assyrians to invest in structured education, teacher training, and research so that the modern Assyrian language may continue to evolve as a living and scholarly tradition.
Watch the full lecture and join the ongoing conversation on how education and scholarship can secure the future of the Assyrian language.
