Barzani Jewish Neo-Aramaic

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A language of Israel

ISO 639-3
bjf
Alternate Names
Bijil Neo-Aramaic, Lishan Didan, Lishan Dideni
Population

20 (2004 H. Mutzafi). In 1951, it was spoken among the 8 Jewish families of Bijil, a village in Iraqi Kurdistan. (1998 H. Mutzafi). Speaker who died in 1998 was over 80. Last Bijil dialect speaker died in 1998.

Language Status

8b (Nearly extinct).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern
Dialects

Barzan, Bijil, Shahe. Sandu is a Jewish Neo-Aramaic dialect closely related to Barzani, but several isoglosses link it with Lishana Deni [lsd].

Language Use

All older than 70 years. Some passive users in their 50s. Also use Hebrew [heb], some also speak other Neo-Aramaic languages. Also use Kurdish [kur].

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Barzani Jewish Neo-Aramaic
Other Comments

Originally spoken in 3 villages near Aqra, Iraq. Also in Nerim village perhaps as a separate dialect.