| Population |
30,000 in Iraq (1994) out of up to a reported 2,000,000 ethnic population. Population total all countries 210,000 or more speakers. 4,250,000 reported ethnic population. |
| Region |
Northern Iraq, Baghdad, Basrah, Karkuk, Arbil. Also spoken in 25 other countries including Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia (Europe), Sweden. |
| Alternate names |
LISHANA ATURAYA, SURET, SURETH, SURYAYA SWADAYA, ASSYRIAN, NEO-SYRIAC, ASSYRISKI, AISORSKI, ASSYRIANCI |
| Classification |
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern. |
| Comments |
Inherent intelligibility is hard to estimate due to intense exposure of most speakers throughout the Assyrian diaspora to many dialects, especially to Urmi and Iraqi Koine. Only because of this exposure is actual intelligibility between different dialects as high as 80% to 90%. Subdialects of the Urmian group: Urmi, Sipurghan, Solduz; of the Northern Group: Salamas, Van, Jilu, Gavar, Qudshanis, Upper Barwari, Dez, Baz; of the Central Group: Mar Bishu, Nochiya (Shamezdin), Tergawar, Anhar; of the Western Group: Upper Tiari, Lower Tiari, Tkhuma, Lower Barwari, Tal, Lewin. Standard literary Assyrian is based on Urmi. Many speakers have left the original areas and have developed a common spoken and written form based on the prestigious Urmi dialect as spoken by those from Iraq living in Baghdad, Chicago, and elsewhere (Iraqi Koine). Most Christians understand it. The Urmi subdialect of this language is different from the Urmi subdialect of Lishán Didán. In some countries young people speak the language of that country, not Assyrian Neo-Aramaic. The Assyrian and Chaldean separated denominationally in the 16th century. Radio programs. Christian: Nestorian (vast majority), also other sects or denominations. Bible 1852-1919. |
| Armenia |
| Language name |
ASSYRIAN NEO-ARAMAIC |
| Population |
3,000 speakers in Armenia (1999) out of a reported population of 15,000. |
| Alternate names |
AISORSKI |
| Comments |
Close linguistically to other Northeastern Aramaic varieties. Most speakers in Armenia elderly now. Many speakers use Russian as primary language. 'Aisor' is the Russian name for the people. The Assyrian and Chaldean separated denominationally during the 16th century. Syriac script is used. Christian (Nestorian). Bible 1852-1911. See main entry under Iraq. |
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| Georgia |
| Language name |
ASSYRIAN NEO-ARAMAIC |
| Population |
3,000 in Georgia (1999) out of an ethnic population of 14,000. |
| Alternate names |
AISORSKI |
| Comments |
The Assyrian and Chaldean separated denominationally during the 16th century. Close linguistically to other Northeastern Aramaic varieties. Most speakers are elderly now. Many use Russian as primary language. 'Aisor' is the Russian name for the people. Syriac script is used. Christian (Nestorian). Bible 1852-1911. See main entry under Iraq. |
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| Iran |
| Language name |
ASSYRIAN NEO-ARAMAIC |
| Population |
10,000 to 20,000 in Iran (1994) out of a reported population of 80,000. |
| Dialects |
IRANIAN KOINE (GENERAL URMI). |
| Comments |
The Assyrian separated denominationally from the Chaldean in the 16th century. Syriac script used. Christian (Nestorian) mainly. Bible 1852-1911. See main entry under Iraq. |
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| Syria |
| Language name |
ASSYRIAN NEO-ARAMAIC |
| Population |
30,000 in Syria (1995) out of a reported 700,000 population. |
| Alternate names |
LISHANA ATURAYA, SURET, SURETH, SURYAYA SWADAYA, ASSYRIAN, NEO-SYRIAC, ASSYRISKI, AISORSKI |
| Comments |
All dialects of Western, Northern, and Central Assyrian are spoken in Syria. Christian: Nestorian, a few Chaldeans (Uniate Catholic). Bible 1852-1911. See main entry under Iraq. |
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