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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Asia > Iraq > Mandaic

Mandaic

A language of Iraq

ISO 639-3: mid

Population  5,000 in Iraq (2006). Population total all countries: 5,500. Ethnic population: 30,000.
Region  Baghdad, Basra. Also in Australia, Iran, United States.
Alternate names   Mandaean, Mandi, Modern Mandaic, Neo-Mandaic, Sabe’in, Sabean, Subbi
Dialects  Iraqi Neo-Mandaic.
Classification  Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Mandaic
Writing system  Mandaic script.
Comments  Goldsmiths. Mandaism (Gnostic).

Also spoken in:

Iran

Language name   Mandaic
Population  500 in Iran (2001). Ethnic population: 23,000.
Region  Khuzestan, Hoveiseh, other towns.
Alternate names  Mandaean, Mandi, Modern Mandaic, Neo-Mandaic, Sabe’in, Sabean, Subbi
Dialects  Ahwaz (Ahvaz), Shushtar, Iraqi Neo-Mandaic.
Language use  Ethnic group of 5,000 in Khuzestan, Iran, speak Western Farsi [pes] (1994 H. Mutzafi). Iraqi Neo-Mandaic became extinct during the 20th century. Shustar dialect may have no remaining speakers. Mainly older adults. Also use Mesopotaman Spoken Arabic [acm] or Western Farsi [pes].
Comments  Ethnic Mandaeans in Iraq now speak Arabic (1994 H. Mutzafi). Assyrians in the USA report Mandaic speakers there, whom they call Yokhananaye. Goldsmiths. Mandaism (Gnostic).