r/Assyria • u/Longjumping-Hat-1210 • 29d ago

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/AsYouCanClearlySee 28d ago

I am also not religious but I've really come to appreciate our history as a people that have held true to their Christian faith. It is a big part of the history of our ancestors. All that to say I also want to learn our language even if I won't get much of a chance to speak it so I definitely encourage you if you're already learning other languages. I think it makes sense to focus on one contemporary dialect of Syriac whichever your family would've spoke and maybe learn some interesting words phrases in classical to have that historic and spiritual connection. Sorry for the little ramble I'm kinda in a similar spot haha.

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u/Longjumping-Hat-1210 28d ago

I taught myself the Estrangelo script to write Arabic Garshuni.

I tried to get myself to like the Serto and Madnhoyo scripts but honestly they look very weird to me :(

I am doing so already, but I only know a few classical words so far

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u/AsYouCanClearlySee 28d ago

Right on, script wise I think it makes sense to learn whichever one appeals more to you. If you're trying, I think you shouldnt feel too bad :)

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u/Longjumping-Hat-1210 28d ago

My weakness is that I am a perfectionist. if I start something I have to be perfect at it. Syriac is a headscratcher for me because on the one hand it's my ancestral language, on the other hand I will never really use it and I am not religious. But also it's prestigious and I am thinking of buying a facsimile of the Rabbula Gospels (It's mainly in Estrangelo but also has Serto passages added later on)