Inter-Zab Jewish Neo-Aramaic
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A language of Israel
Alternate Names
Galigalu, Hula’ula, Hulani, Jbeli, Kurdit, Lishana Didán, Lishanid Noshan, Sureth
Autonym
לשנא דידן (Lišānā Dîdān), לשניד נשן (Lišānîd Nošān)
User Population
3,500 (Leclerc 2018a).
Location
Widespread.
Language Status
8a (Moribund).
Dialects
Arbel (Arbil), Dobe, Koy Sanjaq, Rwanduz, Rustaqa, Shaqlawa, Ranye, Qaladze. 60%–70% inherent intelligibility with Lishanan [lsd] and Hulaulá [huy]. Very different and not inherently intelligible with Christian Aramaic languages and Lishana Deni. Western cluster dialects are Arbel, Dobe, and Shaqlawa. Eastern cluster dialects are Southeastern varieties: Koy Sanjaq, Qaladze, and Ranye. Northern cluster dialects are Rwanduz and Rustaqa (2017 H. Mutzafi).
Language Use
Older adults only. Shifted to Hebrew [heb].
Language Development
Grammar.
Originally spoken in the area of Arbil, Iraq, between the Great Zab and Little Zab rivers (2017 H. Mutzafi). Jewish.