The Nitartha Tibetan Translator Training Program
at the Nitartha Summer Institute
First Year/Beginner Level
The goal of the first year Tibetan program, Tibetan I & II, is to give students an introduction to both the classical written and modern spoken dimensions of the Tibetan language. The course assumes no prior knowledge of Tibetan. Particular emphasis is placed on the dharma language of the Buddhist tradition, known as chö-skä, in both its written and spoken forms. The intent is to provide the motivated student with the skills necessary to pursue further study on his or her own.
The classical-grammar module begins with the alphabet and works systematically through the basics of Tibetan grammar. Students begin by reading simple texts—chants, simple dharma stories and simplified presentations of tenets—in the second week. The modern spoken segment begins with pronunciation, gradually working toward simple sentences and oral exchanges. Students are expected to memorize and recite short verses as an aide to vocabulary acquisition.
The program takes place in the context of our annual summer program. Click here for detailed program information, fees and to apply.
Second Year/Intermediate Level
Overview
Tibetan III & IV combined comprise the 2nd year of the Nitartha Institute Tibetan module. The goal of this course is to develop the student’s ability to read and comprehend Tibetan in both its written and spoken forms. Emphasis will be placed on dharma language in both its classical written and modern spoken forms.
Structure
Tibetan III & IV will meet twice a day for 2.5 hours/day six days/week; one hour/day will be devoted to spoken Tibetan; one and one-half hours to classical Tibetan. There will be a mid-term and a final and weekly recitations of memorized materials.
Classical Tibetan
The classical portion of the Tibetan III & IV will focus on consolidating students’ knowledge of Tibetan grammar and honing reading skills. We will divide our time more or less equally between studying grammar and reading texts.
Grammar: This year for the first time at Nitartha we will study Tibetan grammar by reading and memorizing in Tibetan the famous introductory grammar known as The Majestic Tree, the Heart of Thumi’s Excellent Explanation, “The Thirty” (legs bshad ljon dbang) along with its accompanying auto-commentary. Composed in the 19th century by Yangjen Drupe Dorje (dbyang can grub pa’i rdo rje, 1809-1889) and consisting of 99 verses, The Majestic Tree provides a succinct yet accessible overview of the fundamentals of Tibetan grammar as presented in The Thirty (sum bcu pa), one of two surviving grammar treatises by the inventor of Tibetan grammar and writing, Thumi Sambhota (7th century CE). The second year course assumes basic familiarity with standard English based presentations of Tibetan grammar. Students will be expected to memorize the root verses of the legs bshad ljon dbang.
Reading: To expose students to some of the genres found in the Tibetan literary canon we will read a variety of texts including selections from Gampopa’s thar rgyan (Jewel Ornament), a short text on Cittamatra composed by Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen and Acharya Kelzang Wangdi, as well as realization songs by Milarepa and other Kagyü figures.
Spoken Tibetan
The spoken portion of Tibetan III & IV will focus on vocabularly acquisition and developing fluency of expression in Tibetan. This section of the course will by taught by Acharya Kelzang Wangdi. As our basic text for developing spoken language skills we will use shes rab sgo ’byed (Opening the Door to Prajña), a colloquial primer that teaches the forms of spoken Tibetan using dharma vocabulary composed by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche.
The program takes place in the context of our annual summer program. Click here for detailed program information, fees and to apply.
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