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Inspired by: How to say Adonainu Moreinu VeRabeinu in Aramaic

I'd like to understand Talmudic/Aramaic Grammar a little better and am looking for a good resource that will break it down for me.

However, my understanding of grammar in general is very weak, especially the terms used to describe the various grammatical structures (binyanim). When I see terms like "reflexive" or "po'el yotzei" to describe the grammatical structure, I have no idea what that means, and I just sort of tune it out.

Is there a good grammatical resource for Talmudic/Aramaic grammar out there that doesn't assume I know anything about grammar in general?

One of the answer to the question linked to above mentioned Yitzhak Frank's Grammar for Gemara and Targum Onkelos. Would that fit the bill? I found it on Google Books and glanced through it, but I wasn't sure.

I once picked up a copy of English Grammar for Students of Spanish by Emily Spinelli. Instead of assuming you knew the grammatical jargon and jumping right into the spanish, it would first explain the English grammatical rule. (This review explains it well). It looks like this is part of a series of books on various languages (but not Aramaic).

This is pretty much what I'm looking for, but with Aramaic.

Here's an example that made me realize I need to brush up on my grammarm, trying to figure out what the word "משתבח" means:

Berachot 6A says:

ומי משתבח קוב"ה בשבחייהו דישראל

Jastrow translates it (middle of the second column) as:

Does the L-rd pride himself on the praises of Israel?

But Jastrow also translates (bottom of second column) "משתבח" as "to praise one's self"

Soncino translates it as:

Does, then, the Holy One, blessed be He, sing the praises of Israel?

But is the Soncino using the version found in the Ein Yaakov?

ומי משבח קוב"ה בשבחייהו דישראל

Very confusing.

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po'el yotzei – Double AA♦ Mar 15 at 18:16
Are you unfamiliar with grammar itself (technical jargon confuses you, various sets of rules confuse you, etc.), or are you unfamiliar (aka untrained) with Aramaic Grammar in particular (how grammar rules are used - or altered - in Aramaic, as distinct from English)? – Seth J Mar 15 at 18:24
@SethJ: Unfamiliar with grammar itself. For the most part, I know what sounds/looks right and wrong, but couldn't tell you why or what it was called technically. That's why I'm looking for something that will teach me Aramaic Grammar, but won't assume that I understand the technical jargon. – Menachem Mar 15 at 18:37
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I have a book at home for biblical Hebrew (not Aramaic) that, for each grammatical concept, explains how it works in English and then how that same idea works in Hebrew. Hebrew is not the same as Aramaic, but they share a lot. Would that be helpful to you? – Monica Cellio♦ Mar 15 at 18:51
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I don't know if this would be useful, but as far as Biblical Hebrew grammar goes, a great reference book is Ben-Zeev's "Talmud Lashon Ivri". It's a bit old, but in my opinion, still the best I've seen. You're not going to get any understanding of the English terminology, but the Hebrew jargon (like poel yotzei) is all there. – jake Mar 15 at 19:23
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