How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs Mark Collier

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 · 642 ratings  · 33 reviews

Start your review of How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A Step-past-Footstep Guide to Teach Yourself

January 21, 2012 Jennifer rated it information technology was astonishing

I studied from this volume in preparation for a trip to Arab republic of egypt and was amazed at my progress. While in Egypt (and at museums elsewhere since) I was able to read and empathise writing on sarcophagi, tomb walls, etc. Learning with this volume requires a bit of dedication and a willingness to practice just the effort sure pays off – I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs for him- or herself.

April 06, 2009 Manny rated information technology liked it

I must confess that I still oasis't learned how to do this. Simply I don't recollect I can blame the book, which I bought on impulse a few years ago in the British Museum shop.
I must confess that I even so haven't learned how to practise this. But I don't recall I can arraign the book, which I bought on impulse a few years agone in the British Museum shop.
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This is a very clever little volume. I read it, went to the British Museum's Egyptology Drove and could read the hieroglyphs adequately well. The authors are from the BM, but nowadays the Egyptian in modern fashion for the beginner. The chapters are well-paced, and y'all tin can work your style through them by yourself. Egyptian isn't the easiest language to learn, but this book certainly helps. This is a very clever little book. I read it, went to the British Museum'due south Egyptology Drove and could read the hieroglyphs fairly well. The authors are from the BM, but present the Egyptian in mod way for the beginner. The chapters are well-paced, and you can piece of work your fashion through them by yourself. Egyptian isn't the easiest language to learn, but this book certainly helps. ...more

This book looked promising. I wanted to acquire to read hieroglyphs, and the authors, both prominent Egyptologists, take taught this material for many years. Sounds like a skilful match, correct? It didn't play out that way.

I had problems right off the bat with the first department of chapter i. The text presents the Egyptian alphabet, a list of i-consonant signs, merely does not place what any of the signs actually correspond. I really felt that I needed to know what the signs meant as ideograms in or

This book looked promising. I wanted to learn to read hieroglyphs, and the authors, both prominent Egyptologists, have taught this cloth for many years. Sounds like a good match, right? Information technology didn't play out that way.

I had bug right off the bat with the first section of chapter one. The text presents the Egyptian alphabet, a listing of one-consonant signs, but does not identify what any of the signs actually stand for. I really felt that I needed to know what the signs meant as ideograms in order to correctly draw and understand them ("foursquare, squiggle, bird, slug" just didn't cutting it), I so put the book down and apace constitute a reference chart on the web that provided the necessary data. Strike 1.

I told my best friend that I had started studying how to read hieroglyphs, and he asked me some simple questions I could not field using this volume, like "how many hieroglyphs are at that place?" I easily plant this information in other books; including a simple ii- or three-page introductory essay that provided some bones facts would have added context and depth to this volume. Strike two.

Exercises in the first section inquire y'all to write out words in hieroglyphs, but the signs lack definition due to their pocket-sized size, making information technology difficult to reproduce them. They fabricated the signs too pocket-sized; they need to print them in a larger typeface. Strike 3, and I'yard out looking for better book on how to read Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Postscript: I found Bill Manley's recent book, Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners, most helpful in learning and understanding the writing of the Ancient Egyptians. Highly recommended!

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Mar 31, 2007 Lucy rated information technology liked information technology

A expert introduction to the joy of 'glyphs with lots of existent examples to translate and a focus on some of the more common formulaic inscriptions (to equip you for the museums of the world to bear witness off your swanky cognition of dead languages). A good introduction to the joy of 'glyphs with lots of existent examples to translate and a focus on some of the more common formulaic inscriptions (to equip you for the museums of the world to show off your swanky noesis of dead languages). ...more than

Easy to follow with useful practical exercises, the layout of the book introduces hieroglyphs footstep past pace edifice the reader'due south knowledge upwards progressively. Too a very handy reference guide one time y'all take the basic skills to work through translations exterior those provided past the authors. Easy to follow with useful applied exercises, the layout of the book introduces hieroglyphs step past step building the reader's knowledge up progressively. As well a very handy reference guide once you take the basic skills to work through translations outside those provided past the authors. ...more than

Feb 01, 2008 Mandy rated it it was amazing

The best guide to ancient Egyptian that I have come across. Uses actual Egyptian artifacts as examples!

Jul 27, 2019 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Well information technology only took me 16 years since ownership this volume in the British Museum, and six months since actively starting to piece of work on it, simply I finished C&Grand - How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs, past Collier & Manley. YES! Such a feeling of accomplishment.

This is a great book for beginning your study of hieroglyphic Egyptian. Whether it's the absolute best I'm non certain - I've likewise heard that Janice Kamrin's Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A Applied Guide, and Hoch'south grammar, are expert. I'm pretty sure Bussman'

Well it just took me sixteen years since buying this book in the British Museum, and half dozen months since actively starting to work on it, but I finished C&M - How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs, by Collier & Manley. YES! Such a feeling of achievement.

This is a peachy book for beginning your study of hieroglyphic Egyptian. Whether it's the absolute best I'm not sure - I've also heard that Janice Kamrin's Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A Practical Guide, and Hoch'southward grammar, are adept. I'chiliad pretty sure Bussman's Complete Center Egyptian isn't bad either, though I've not finished that one notwithstanding. However, it'southward probable that this is the fastest guide to getting yous started on reading actual inscriptions, since it introduces the offering formula very early, viz. Chapter 3, and honestly once you've mastered that you're guaranteed to discover at to the lowest degree one artifact to read in whatever museum with a decent Egyptian collection (and which to impress passing visitors).

I've as well plant in working through Allen's Middle Egyptian, which is probably THE textbook, that having gone through C&Chiliad was a Large aid. Allen tends to frontload information without the full context, only thinking back to examples I'd seen in Allen helped to provide that context.

The exercises are adequately challenging, but the authors provide just the right amount of assistance for a dedicated student. They're very realistic since they more often than not consist of reading an inscription from the British Museum, sometimes photographs in quite scruffy condition, so y'all accept to squint. Just that'southward kinda what it's like at a real museum.

Again, great volume. My copy is all scratched up because I bought the one-half-cost every bit-is copy at the museum shop every bit an impoverished student in 2003, but I'll always cherish it - and will probably make apply often of the handy-dandy reference tables in the back.

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I enjoyed studying this volume; non because the book in itself was skilful, but rather because I really did enjoy the content and what I learned nigh it. The volume is structured in a way in which one cannot aid but to enjoy learning, simply the parts relating to didactics grammar are incredibly weak and lax of information. At that place is no proper caption of unique grammatical information and so without a teacher, ane cannot learn as much equally he could otherwise. There are besides several things missing from t I enjoyed studying this book; non because the book in itself was good, but rather because I really did enjoy the content and what I learned about it. The book is structured in a way in which one cannot help just to enjoy learning, but the parts relating to teaching grammar are incredibly weak and lax of information. There is no proper explanation of unique grammatical information and so without a instructor, one cannot learn as much every bit he could otherwise. There are besides several things missing from this work that would otherwise have made it into a improve book, such as digital content available online perhaps, more historical content (as opposed to tomb text after tomb text), and fifty-fifty something more than exciting would have made one crave reading this book more (such as Akhenaten's stelae).
Also, it could have done if the exercise answers had notes on them; every bit opposed to merely showing the answers. ...more

Jan 04, 2018 Ann Schwader rated information technology really liked it

I've really worked my style through this useful small volume at least three times, though the last ii times were incomplete -- I keep getting bogged down on the exercises in the last affiliate.

This is a limited (intentionally) but very useful book for learning plenty Middle Egyptian hieroglyphs to read inscriptions in museums & do other things a non-specialist might want to do. Non equally intensive or extensive as a real course in hieroglyphs (and, yes, I take had a mail service-in 1 from the Oriental Ins

I've actually worked my way through this useful small volume at least three times, though the last 2 times were incomplete -- I go along getting bogged down on the exercises in the final affiliate.

This is a express (intentionally) just very useful book for learning plenty Center Egyptian hieroglyphs to read inscriptions in museums & do other things a non-specialist might want to practise. Not as intensive or extensive every bit a existent class in hieroglyphs (and, yes, I take had a mail-in one from the Oriental Plant), only well worth doing if you have an involvement.

Lexicon, sign list, and all answers to exercises are supplied in the dorsum of the book. Nothing else to buy. Practiced end notes for further study, besides.

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If you want to be able to read the stuff you see in museums, this will requite you a basic understanding of how the inscriptions are prepare and what are the basic elements to await for.

Didn't think much of this one. Tried to exist likewise uncomplicated and too total of grammar and tenses at the aforementioned time. I gave upwardly and went back to Gardiner. Didn't think much of this ane. Tried to be too simple and also full of grammar and tenses at the same fourth dimension. I gave upwardly and went back to Gardiner. ...more

May 17, 2018 Peter rated it really liked it

I've had this volume since 2005. When I originally purchased the book, information technology seemed a bit as well daunting to me. I started on affiliate one only got stuck on what I thought was a difficult concept. After completing Manley'due south Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners, this book seemed much more approachable. In May of 2017, I started studying with a complimentary online group chosen GlyphStudy. As of May 2018, I've completed all the exercises in the volume. Linguistic communication study with a group is more motivating than going at it lonely. I've had this book since 2005. When I originally purchased the book, information technology seemed a fleck too daunting to me. I started on affiliate 1 but got stuck on what I thought was a difficult concept. Subsequently completing Manley'south Hieroglyphs for Consummate Beginners, this volume seemed much more than approachable. In May of 2017, I started studying with a costless online group called GlyphStudy. Every bit of May 2018, I've completed all the exercises in the book. Language written report with a group is more motivating than going at it solitary. Collier and Manley's book is not a full grammar just it does teach a lot of vocabulary, various verb forms, cartouches, and focuses on the offering formula. This book is well worth your time. Most of the translation textile comes from the British Museum, some of it not on public display. You translate several stela and other objects in the book. Specifically translated are: the roasting scene from the rock tombs at Meir, the Abydos king list, BM EA 586, BM EA 567, BM EA 162, BM EA 585, BM EA 101, BM EA 581, the angling and fowling scene from Senbi at Meir 1 pl ii, the coffin of Nakhtankh BM EA 35285, BM EA 571, BM EA 1671, BM EA 614, BM EM 143 Stela of Nakhti, and others. If you lot are interested in translating items you will likely meet in museums but don't want to do a full college-level grammer than this volume is great. It provides an answer primal in the dorsum which is a helpful fashion to check your work. I all the same think Manley'southward other title is where I would beginning from scratch, just this is the best next step. ...more

Jul 08, 2020 David Harris rated information technology it was amazing

This is an first-class introductory volume. The first couple of chapters give you a expert bird'due south eye view of the landscape and, from there, it's but a matter of focusing on the details of learning vocabulary and getting used to words in context.

Some other book I looked at was _Easy Lessons in Egyptian Hieroglyphics_ by Sir E. A. Wallis Budge. Originally appearing in 1889, that volume was undoubtedly groundbreaking in its time. However, simply in the past xxx or 40 years, linguistic communication teaching and reference mate

This is an excellent introductory volume. The first couple of chapters give you a good bird's eye view of the mural and, from there, information technology's just a thing of focusing on the details of learning vocabulary and getting used to words in context.

Another book I looked at was _Easy Lessons in Egyptian Hieroglyphics_ by Sir E. A. Wallis Budge. Originally appearing in 1889, that book was undoubtedly groundbreaking in its time. However, just in the past xxx or forty years, language teaching and reference materials accept come a long fashion. And that's as true of aboriginal languages (Egyptian, Latin, etc.) as it is of modern languages.

Bill Manley's _Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners_ seems like another promising volume, although I oasis't had much of an opportunity to delve into it deeply however.

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Jun 29, 2020 Tracey Worner rated it did not like it

Would not recommend at all. I am an Egyptology student with intermediate noesis of the language. I forgot I had this volume and thought that I would use it to compliment my studies.
It is so hard to understand. It is terribly written and laid out. The transliterations are incorrectly given. Take 'business firm for example. They say the translit is pr when information technology is actually pr.w
They miss all of the additional notations. They practice not explicate the endings very well for plural, adjectives, pronouns and such. The Would non recommend at all. I am an Egyptology educatee with intermediate cognition of the linguistic communication. I forgot I had this volume and thought that I would use it to compliment my studies.
Information technology is so hard to understand. It is terribly written and laid out. The transliterations are incorrectly given. Take 'firm for example. They say the translit is pr when it is really pr.w
They miss all of the additional notations. They exercise not explain the endings very well for plural, adjectives, pronouns and such. They simply throw them in there and hope for the all-time.

If you want to learn words and near the offering formula, this is adept. Otherwise its a load of rubbish

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Nov 17, 2018 David Waldron rated it really liked it

A compact and highly effective introduction to Centre Egyptian for not-specialists. While the authors might have washed well to devote a bit more than attention in the later chapters to the language'due south complex verb forms, I'm quite impressed with the progress I was able to make. As ane might look, the volume focuses quite tightly on Eye Kingdom funerary inscriptions. These are among the texts most likely to be encountered in museum collections. I would say that, although the authors have done an exce A compact and highly effective introduction to Center Egyptian for non-specialists. While the authors might have done well to devote a scrap more attending in the later chapters to the language'south complex verb forms, I'g quite impressed with the progress I was able to brand. As one might expect, the book focuses quite tightly on Heart Kingdom funerary inscriptions. These are among the texts nearly likely to be encountered in museum collections. I would say that, although the authors have washed an excellent task, mastering the material requires a good deal of dedication on the role of the reader. ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Very of import

Very simple to undesrtand, great for beginners and anyone who wants to remember the basic rules of hieroglyphic writing.

I actually could not finish this book, but it is non the fault of the authors. What they accept attempted here is both remarkable and praiseworthy. The half of the book (lilliputian more than than half, simply it's non important) I did read was well presented and interesting. This is only applicable to me personally, simply I think I would have been more than successful using this as a textbook for a course about hieroglyphs.

Learning this information on a library loan with a deadline is not conducive to really getti

I really could non end this volume, merely it is not the fault of the authors. What they accept attempted hither is both remarkable and praiseworthy. The one-half of the book (little more than half, merely it's not important) I did read was well presented and interesting. This is but applicable to me personally, but I recall I would have been more successful using this equally a textbook for a course about hieroglyphs.

Learning this data on a library loan with a deadline is not conducive to actually getting through it. Add to this the lack of auditory assistance for pronouncing the ancient language and it becomes exceedingly difficult, at least for me. I don't like giving upward on a volume, and cannot rate it above a three since I didn't finish, but in amend circumstances, I think this would exist a very handy teacher and reference tool for learning ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

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Oct 04, 2012 Joseph rated information technology information technology was amazing

The review system is a little bit difficult to use here.

This book is an excellent and concise resource for anyone interested in learning the logic and ways by which written word was communicated. Although I but did the exercises in the commencement chapters, the structure was still accessible without requiring me to be a linguist.

Jan sixteen, 2016 Teango rated information technology really liked it

This book uses a slightly different transliteration organisation than Assimil's "L'Égyptien Hiéroglyphique", and contains less textile overall. Even so, it's a clear and very well-written primer in Eye Egyptian, and even incorporates pictures of real stellae in its working examples. These guys at the British Museum really know their stuff, and then you're in safe hands here! This book uses a slightly unlike transliteration system than Assimil's "L'Égyptien Hiéroglyphique", and contains less material overall. Nonetheless, it'south a clear and very well-written primer in Middle Egyptian, and even incorporates pictures of existent stellae in its working examples. These guys at the British Museum really know their stuff, so you're in prophylactic hands hither! ...more

Feb 04, 2015 James F rated it liked it

A commencement textbook of the ancient Egyptian language equally written in hieroglyphs, with examples taken from Middle Kingdom inscriptions. I basically just read through it to go some idea of the manner the linguistic communication worked.

Jul 30, 2009 Jeffry rated information technology liked it

Withal tin can't do it. I tin go just enough out of some inscriptions to impress underclassmen at the OI. Ah well. Still tin can't exercise information technology. I can get simply enough out of some inscriptions to impress underclassmen at the OI. Ah well. ...more than

Jan 18, 2013 Tori rated it information technology was amazing

This is a book that I volition e'er be reading and studying. Very expert practice and learning tool.

Sep 26, 2014 Dr Due west.Yard rated it really liked it

Amazing book clarifying a lot of the secrets of the Egyptian Hieroglyphs , and enable the reader to read and understand some texts just Hieroglyphs is a very difficult language.

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