이집트의 콥트 문화에 대한 연구

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A Study on the Coptic Culture in Egypt

- Focused on the Coptic History, Languages and Perspective -

Kim Kyoung Ok Advisor : Prof. Song Kyung-Keun, Ph.D. Department of Local Culture Studies Graduate School of Chosun University

The Mediterranean Sea connected various cultures throughout West Asia, North Africa, and Southern Europe during the Greco-Roman Empire era. Egypt played a central role in Mediterranean Sea culture. It is located in the center of world trade, transportation between East and West, tourism and academia. The majority of Christian Egyptians have lived near the banks of the Nile River since the first century. The purpose of this study is to research how Copts have used the Coptic language during the Greco-Roman Empire era, what role the Coptic language played for Copts in Arabic Islam societies historically, and what the prospects for Copts and the Coptic language will be in the 21st century. Coptic ancestors in pursuit of the resurrection built pyramids. Old Egyptians had close relationships with Jews. Moses who was born and grown up in Egypt wrote the pentateuch of the old testament. And in the Bible, Isaiah's prophecy that Copts accepted is written about the two pillars in Egypt as the symbols of churches and monasteries. Since the first century, Coptic popes have been elected by Copts for Coptic community from generations to generations. Bishop Tawadros was chosen as the 118th Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church in 2012. Copts are the people who have an excellent ability to speak fluently in their own language Egyptian Hieroglyphics from their ancestors and Greek. The English name Egypt is derived from the ancient Greek Aigyptos. They made 31 Coptic letters added together with 24 Greek alphabets and 7 Hieroglyphics for expressing fully their ideas in their religious life. In 1822 Champollion, a French, figured out the meaning of Hieroglyphics how to read and understand on the Rosetta Stone which was written on a royal decree from 196 B.C.. The Egyptian Christians are referred to as Copts and use the Coptic language for their religion and social life. Their language and culture reflect their forward-looking, creative, and flourishing spirit during the Roman and Byzantine Empire eras. They were bilingual people who fluently spoke and wrote the Greek and Coptic languages. They were the first to translate Mark's Gospel from Greek to Coptic and also translated the Old and New Testaments. Islam arrived in the 7th century and Egypt emerged as a center of politics and culture in the Muslim world. Copts have been bilingual enough to communicate amongst themselves in the Coptic language and with Muslims in the Arabic language. The Coptic language remained the language of the land, but the Arabic language became the formal and official language of social life. Even now, the Coptic language continues to be the liturgical language in the Coptic Churches. Yet Copts have to speak Arabic in daily life. Copts living with muslims created the Egyptian speaking Arabic language just like making Coptic language from Greek with Hieroglyphics. They have been bilingual people in Islam world as well as Greco-Roman Empire era. Arabic along with Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish is one of the six official languages in the United Nations. Arabic is only spoken in the Arab world. However, there are two languages that co-existed with Modern Standard Arabic and spoken Arabic. The most popular spoken language in the Arab world is Egyptian Arabic, because Egypt is the leading country among Arab countries in culture. The Coptic language is the main symbol for the Coptic religious life in their community. Although Coptic Christians speak Arabic with each other to express their opinions, feelings and culture, they also want the Coptic language more involved in formal education programs. Until the Fatima dynasty, there were many more Copts than Muslims in Egypt. However, The population of Muslims had increased during the several Crusades. Tens of thousands of Copts were converted Islam. Coptic Christianity became the ethnic minority at about 10% of the population. It was very important for the Coptic community to keep surviving within Islamic society as Christians, attending churches in peace. That's why they thought the Pope's leadership was so important for their future generations. For example, when they found that the 115th Pope was indecisive, they sent him to a monastery. They elected three bishops to perform the Pope's role as a triumvirate. Another example is when some terrorists made a sudden attack on al-Kusheh village in 2000. Owing to the act of terror, many Coptic Christians were killed, and much of their properties were damaged. Despite this tragic outbreak of violence, the village community wanted to live in peace with their neighboring Muslims and agreed to call their village 'Village of Peace'. The Mubarak government issued a decree that declared January 7, Coptic Christmas, a national holiday in Egypt (al-Ahram Weekly 2003). There are many documents such as St. Mark's gospel and Nag Hammadi Library written in Coptic language in museums, Coptic churches, and religious houses in Egypt. However, some Copts are moving to live in foreign countries especially America or Canada to avoid the Arab terrorists attacked. They have built new Coptic churches in settled areas and teach their children the Coptic language there. America and Canada are belonging to Pacific culture areas as well as Transatlantic culture areas. In East Asia of Pacific culture areas, there are also some countries where christian people are living. Christians want to know more about the Coptic documents regarding the early christians' records and want them to be translated into their own languages from Coptic language. Therefore more researches are required to further understand about Copts and Coptic language of Coptic culture in Coptic societies.