Graduate Student, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
Thesis Title: Ritual Gestures of Lifting, Extending, and Clasping the Hand(s) in Northwest Semitic Literature and Iconography
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Dennis Pardee
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About
In my dissertation, which is currently in progress, I deal with an assortment of ritual hand gestures described in literature and depicted in art, investigating their form and their meaning in ancient Northwest Semitic culture. This project is part of my wider interest in reconstructing ancient practices based on careful study and responsible synthesis of texts, images, and relevant modern practices. I enjoy exploring how our reconstructions of nonverbal behavior can impact the way we conceptualize ancient societies and interpret sacred texts.
I have an ongoing interest in Afroasiatic historical linguistics, especially the Semitic and Egyptian members of the Afroasiatic phylum. My work in this area has dealt primarily with individual etymologies and what they imply culturally.
