An Introduction to Aramaic
Aramaic is a Semitic language that once was commonly used throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The language (or languages, more accurately) has a long history but is endangered today.
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Early History
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According to the Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon (CAL), Aramaic is the native language of the Arameans who began recording the language almost 3,000 years ago in Syria and Turkey. Aramaic was also the language used by the Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian empires; because of this, Aramaic was spoken across large parts of Eurasia.
Biblical Connections
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Parts of the Hebrew bible are in Aramaic, and the language came to be used among groups of Jews, Christians and Muslims of the Middle East. The writing system known as the Hebrew alphabet is actually that of Aramaic.
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Today
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According to CAL, some groups in Syria, Iraq, Turkey and Iran still speak Aramaic. However, the language has gone through a number of changes through time and can no longer be thought of as only one language.
Grammar
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Aramaic grammar is similar to that of Hebrew, and many words are readily recognizable between the two languages. For instance: שלמ (sh'lam) in Aramaic is שלומ (shalom) in Hebrew.
Differences
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According to P.J. Williams of the University of Aberdeen, Aramaic and Hebrew make use of slightly different verb stems. Additionally, Aramaic verbs vary more within one paradigm than do those of Hebrew.
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