Deciphering the unknown script and language of a steppe people: the Khitan

Lecture series entitled Orientalists in NSZL will be continued with a lecture to be delivered by András Róna-Tas.

About the lecture:

Khitan was a memorable people occupying Northern China approximately at the same time as the Hungarian conquest had taken place, and ruling there under the name Liao dynasty between 916 and 1125. Two scripts had been left behind that are still being deciphered. András Róna-Tas’ lecture will present the history and current state of the deciphering of the Khitan script and language. On top of that, it will discuss some unexpected and sensational characteristics of the Khitan language. Finally, it will demonstrate, via a few examples, how the knowledge of the Khitan language contributes to a better understanding of the eastern background of the Hungarian language.

You can read more about András Róna-Tas’ oeuvre here.

Date: March 21, 2018, 5 p.m.
Venue: National Széchényi Library, Wing ‘F’ of Buda Royal Palace,  4–5–6 Szent György Square, H-1014 Budapest
Admittance is free.

Previous lectures of the series

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