Assyrian
Assyrian (Aramic) is spoken in Iraq, Syria and Iran
by Assyrian people. It’s an ancient language, one of
the rarest and oldest in the world and has changed
little in 2000 years. Many of its speakers, especially
older people who never went to school, are unable
to read and write it. Most Assyrian speakers speak
Arabic too and they may be literate in this language.
There are 22 symbols in the Assyrian alphabet
which is written right to left. The same symbols also
represent numbers. The sounds of letters change by
adding small dots, called vowel points, to some of
the letters or a small arrow flick to indicate a silent
vowel. The silent vowel is written, but not spoken,
similar to the way silent consonants are found in
English words like knife, plumb and lamb. Assyrian
uses the throat more and it sounds more guttural
than English.
There are no capital letters in Assyrian and
punctuation is usually scant. Sentences tend to be
long, joined with conjunctions like and, or and but.
Assyrian words have no similarity with English but
oddly enough some older Assyrian speakers use jug
and ashtray and a few other words learned from
English soldiers from when they were stationed in
the Middle East.
Speakers of Assyrian who do not read and write
in either Assyrian or Arabic are likely to find learning
to write English hard. It may take some time to learn
the English alphabet and to recognise the English
letters that make up their own name.
When English speakers ask a negative question
an Assyrian speaker is likely to respond negatively
which can sometimes cause confusion. Won’t
you come shopping with me? might illicit a no
response when in fact they mean yes.
Assyrians in a group will converse loudly,
gesticulate and point a lot. A simple conversation
can be mistaken for arguing. Assyrians are
generally very polite. Greetings are warm, they
can involve kisses on both cheeks, though hand
shaking is common too. When greeting they will
say, Hello, how are you? and expect a genuine
answer. A response might be; Thank you for
asking, I am feeling a little unwell today. Then
other family members not present will be asked
after. Often instead of please, particularly when
an older person is asking a child to do
something they will say God bless you…can
you do this for me?
A person has two given names
before their family name. The family
name is passed down the paternal side
of the family. As a general rule, the father’s
first given name becomes the child’s second given
name. The father’s second given name becomes the
children’s family name. A woman keeps her own
family name after marriage. Family is very important
to Assyrians and often several generations and
extended family will live together.
Assyrians have great respect for elders and
teachers. Those who have been to school will have
had a formal education and would be used to
learning by rote and regular testing. Assyrian
learners of English may well appreciate simple
homework exercises, particularly in the early
stages when learning English letters.
In a home it’s customary not to offer a drink. The
host will simply make one, usually tea, plenty of sugar,
and give it to guests. It would seem unusual to a guest
to be offered a choice and they would feel embarrassed
and probably refuse the offer altogether.
Assyrian Christians celebrate Ancient New Year,
known as Rish Nisan, on April 1, and Martyrs Day on
August 7.
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Assyrian
ENGLISH
ASSYRIAN
DURING THE LESSON
GENERAL
for MALE
PRONUNCIATION
for FEMALE
for GROUPS
Hi/Hello
Bye/Goodbye
for SINGLE
for GROUPS
for MALE
for FEMALE
for GROUPS
shla-ma-lokh
shla-ma-ikh
shla-ma-lokhon
posho-pshay-na
for SINGLE
posh-psha-na
How are you?
da-khe e-wet ate
Fine/Well, and you?
spay o ate
Not so good
la raba spay
What’s your name?
mo-de elah shamokh
My name is
shame elah
Pardon?
ma-kh-lata
Yes
heh
No
la
I don’t know
ana la yadian
Please
in la hoya zahmet
Thank you
bacema
Good!
spay
Do you understand?
ara at parmoyet
Try again
mjarbkh madrish
Do you want some help?
ara at cenaket al khjh huarta
Don’t worry, learning takes time
la takhmant, youlpana key shakil adana
Shall we take a break now?
maskh akhnan haweln manyakhta hadya
Let’s finish (the lesson) now
yala prkkhalh darsan hadya
You’re doing well
at raba spay bawadat
Can you say it now?
mast at amrtla hadya
Can you answer (the question)?
mast at mjobet
Now you ask me
hadya at baker menee
See you next week
khaznokh shabta datya
for GROUPS