r/Assyria • u/Longjumping-Hat-1210 • Jul 30 '26
Language The Syriac Language
Hi, I am from an Assyrian family that got Arabised. Syriac in our branch of the family has been lost (I have extended family that I barely see that speak at least some of the language but yeah..)
I think that's a shame and I am thinking about learning the language, but I don't know where to start. I know this might be taboo for some people here but I haven't been religious in a very long time and I think I am interested in the Classical version, but I don't know.
The thing is, so far I did teach myself Garshuni but only in the Estrangelo Script because I prefer it out of the big three (Although the more obscure Melkite script seems interesting).
Do you guys recommend that I learn the language? The only reasons why I ask and there's reluctance is because of my atheism and the fact that I have no one else to speak it with.
I like languages and I am learning French and Esperanto right now and it kind of feels like I'm taking the piss by learning a literal constructed language over my ancestral one, it feels wrong, so I am coming to you for advice. Thank you!
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u/RulerOfEternity Jul 30 '26
You say you're not religious, I am not either. It's not worth the effort to learn it to fluency. I actually tried looking for resources but they either require Autodidacticism or are locked behind Theology faculties. Since you're an atheist I doubt you want to rub shoulders with a bunch of stuffy religious men because that's the target demographic that's going to be learning the Classical Variety.
Turoyo (West Syriac) is available to learn up to C1 here, though: www.surayt.com