How to Save a Dying Language: Documenting Aramaic with Geoffrey Khan
The Importance of Preserving Endangered Languages
Languages are disappearing at an alarming rate, with up to 90% of the world’s 7,000 languages expected to vanish by the end of the century. This loss is a tragedy for cultural heritage and linguistic diversity.
Documenting Endangered Languages
Field linguists play a vital role in preserving endangered languages by documenting them through grammar, texts, and dictionaries. This documentation allows researchers to study and understand these languages, preserving their unique features and structures for future generations.
Geoffrey Khan: Aramaic Linguist
Geoffrey Khan is a renowned Aramaic linguist who has dedicated his career to documenting the various dialects of this ancient language. Aramaic was once the common tongue of the Middle East, but today it is spoken by only a few thousand people, mostly in isolated communities.
Aramaic in the Chicago Suburbs
Khan has conducted extensive fieldwork in the Chicago suburbs, where thousands of Assyrian immigrants have settled. These immigrants have brought their Aramaic dialects with them, providing Khan with a unique opportunity to document these endangered varieties.
Challenges of Documenting Aramaic
Documenting Aramaic is not without its challenges. Many speakers are elderly and have limited education, making it difficult to elicit accurate and complete data. Additionally, Aramaic has over 100 dialects, each with its own unique features and vocabulary.
The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
One of the few places where Aramaic is still spoken as an everyday language is the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East in the Chicago suburbs. This church provides a sanctuary for Aramaic speakers and helps to preserve the language through its liturgies and educational programs.
The Last Speakers of Aramaic
Khan’s informants are often the last speakers of their particular Aramaic dialect. He has documented the speech of elderly women in their 90s, who have preserved unique pronunciations and grammatical forms that are no longer used by younger generations.
The Importance of Cultural Heritage
Preserving endangered languages is not just about saving words and grammar. It is also about preserving the cultural heritage of the communities that speak them. Aramaic is a living testament to the rich history and diversity of the Middle East, and its loss would be an immeasurable loss to human culture.
The Challenges of Language Loss
The loss of endangered languages is driven by a variety of factors, including globalization, urbanization, and the dominance of major languages like English and Mandarin. As these languages become more widespread, smaller languages are often marginalized and eventually disappear.
The Role of Immigration in Language Preservation
Immigration can play a vital role in preserving endangered languages by bringing speakers of these languages to new communities. The Assyrian community in the Chicago suburbs is a prime example of how immigration can help to keep endangered languages alive.
The Future of Aramaic
The future of Aramaic is uncertain, but Khan’s work is helping to ensure that this ancient language will continue to be studied and appreciated by future generations. By documenting Aramaic dialects and preserving their unique features, Khan is playing a vital role in safeguarding the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Middle East.