Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

A language of Iraq

Dahuk and Ninawa governorates: 2 areas, one northeast of Buhayrat al Mawsil, the other, at Turkish border; scattered in Al Basrah, Arbil, Baghdad, and Kirkuk governorates.

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Armenia

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

2,700 in Armenia (Leclerc 2017a). Ethnic population: 15,000.

Location

Yerevan province: scattered.

Alternate Names

Aisorski, Assyriski, Sooreth

Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Adults only. Shifting to Russian [rus].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. The Assyrian and Chaldean separated denominationally during the 16th century. Christian.

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Australia

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

28,300 in Australia (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Azerbaijan

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

1,500 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Canada

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

16,100 in Canada (2016 census). Ethnic population: 38,000.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Georgia

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

3,400 in Georgia (Leclerc 2015). Ethnic population: 14,000.

Location

Transcaucasia area: scattered.

Alternate Names

Aisorski, Assyriski

Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Older adults only. Many shifted to Russian [rus].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. ‘Aisor’ is the Russian name for the people. Christian.

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Greece

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

2,000 in Greece. Ethnic population: 9,000.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Iran

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

15,000 in Iran (1994). Ethnic population: 109,000 (2019).

Location

West Azerbaijan province: west of Lake Urmia; many in Reza’iyeh (Rizaiye) and Tehran.

Alternate Names

Aturaya Swadaya, Lishana Aturaya, Swadai, Swadaya

Dialects

Urmi.

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Senaya [syn].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Religious separation of Assyrian from Chaldean happened in the 16th century. Christian.

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Kuwait

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

8,100 in Kuwait (2020 Joshua Project).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Lebanon

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

2,330 in Lebanon (2020). Ethnic population: 40,000.

Location

Beyrouth.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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New Zealand

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

1,670 in New Zealand (2013 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Russian Federation

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

4,470 in Russian Federation (2010 census). Ethnic population: 35,000.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Sweden

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

52,000 in Sweden (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Syria

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

164,000 in Syria (2019). Ethnic population: 700,000.

Location

Al Hasakah governorate: Khabur river banks, Turkey border, over 30 villages; some in Al Hasakah city.

Alternate Names

Assyrian, Lishana Aturaya, Neo-Syriac, Suret, Sureth, Suryaya Swadaya

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Turkey

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

27,600 in Turkey (2019).

Location

Mardin province: Mardin Merkez district; Sirnak province: Silopi district. Both areas near Iraq border.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Kingdom

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

5,000 in United Kingdom. Ethnic population: 14,000.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language NameAssyrian Neo-Aramaic

User Population

80,000 in United States. Ethnic population: 550,000.

Location

California; Illinois: Chicago.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

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A language of Iraq

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