Mgr. Arsen AYDENIAN (7/19 January 1825, Constantinople – 8/21 July 1902, Vienna, Austria)

Արսէն Արքեպ. ԱՅՏԸՆԵԱՆ (7/19 յունուար 1825, Պոլիս – 8/21  յուլիս 1902, Վիեննա)

Linguist-grammarian, from the Viennese Mkhitarist Order, was conversant in numerous languages. He held several offices, including that of Abbot General of the Viennese Mkhitarist Order. Established the official organ Հանդէս ամսօրեայ (Monthly Journal), where he published many articles on linguistics. Aydenian’s magnum opus was Քննական քերականութիւն աշխարհաբար կամ արդի հայերէն լեզուի (Critical Grammar of the Vernacular or Modern Armenian Language) [1866], which represents a highly valuable accomplishment in Armenian language studies, playing a major role in the area of understanding the vernacular. While esteeming grabar (classic Armenian), pointing to its major importance, he insisted that vernacular Armenian corresponded to the thinking of the contemporary Armenian people and that the time had come to cede the public square to it.
Aydenian’s œuvre is gigantic and retains its relevance to this day. No grammarian has followed him, who, by their method, form or exhaustive theoretics, has surpassed him.

Translated by Y.K.

Read an article by Fr. Arsen Aydenian on Mashtots (in Armenian).

Քննական քերականութիւն աշխարհաբար կամ արդի հայերէն լեզուի (Critical Grammar of the Vernacular or Modern Armenian Language)>>


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