Have you ever heard about the Aramaic language before? This ancient language may vanish soon.
In the coming lines, you will learn about the Aramaic vs. Arabic language, and go through a historical linguistic trip, you will learn about their roots, the key differences and similarities between them, how the Aramaic language is used today, and who still speaks it, which one is deeper and more sophisticated.
If you are curious about the ancient languages, you are reading the right article.
Are Aramaic and Arabic the Same Language?
When you hear the word Aramaic language, the first question you might have asked is: What is the difference between Aramaic vs Arabic language?
In fact, they are not the same language, they come from different backgrounds, and possess different alphabet and writing systems.
Also, they differ in their grammar and the use of words.
Therefore, it is interesting to know to what extent they are different and which language is more commonly used nowadays.
Aramaic vs Arabic language Grammar
The key difference between Aramaic and Arabic Grammar is the way of using and dealing with the verb tenses, nouns, and pronouns.
Aramaic language has only 2 verb tenses (past and present) which requires that the verb must be conjugated to determine the time of the action.
However, when it comes to Arabic, we will find 6 verb tenses:
- Past
- Present
- Future
- Imperfect
- Perfect
- Imperative
This gives the Arabic language flexibility in conjugating verbs and the ability to express actions deeply and more accurately.
Arabic also has the ability to describe a broader range of meanings using its nouns, this makes it possible for Arabic to express nuances that are absent in Aramaic.
However, the Arabic Grammar is considered more complex and sophisticated, it gives the Arabic language depth that cannot be found in another language.
Learn more about Arabic words with deep meaning insights into Arabic language.
Aramaic vs Arabic language
Many people may think that Aramaic and Arabic languages are the same, however, they are 2 different languages, written in different styles and came from different roots they originated from, which represents the main difference between them is the roots they originated from, however, they share some similarities.
Aramaic is a Semitic language while Arabic is a Central Semitic one which makes the Aramaic language share many similarities with the Amharic and Hebrew more than with Arabic.
They have some features in common but also possess significant differences such as writing system and grammatical rules and others.
Aramaic vs Arabic language examples
More information about the Time of day in Arabic sayings.
Writing Systems: Arabic vs. Aramaic
The two languages possess unique writing features depending on their history and use. Let’s learn the main distinguishing characteristics of both and know their benefits and disadvantages.
- The first and main difference is the alphabet where the Arabic language has 28 letter while the Aramaic has only 22.
- The second big difference in their writing systems is the different Grammar rules.
The Arabic Grammar is more complex with many exceptions while the Aramaic one is much easier and straightforward which affects the writing system.
These factors make the Aramaic writing system easier, more concise and more flexible than Arabic, which makes learning Aramaic easier than Arabic.
However, the demand is increasing towards learning how to read and write Arabic especially from Muslims in the west to learn about Islam well or to be able to find a job opportunity in the multinational companies there.
Learn more about the Arabic letters in the Beginning, Middle, and End.
Key Differences Between Aramaic and Arabic Languages
They also differ in the dialects where the most common official Arabic dialect is the Modern Standard Arabic which is spoken in 26 countries.
However the Aramaic language is restricted to religious use and limited to small communities such as Assyrians (speak West Neo-Aramaic), Chaldeans (speak East Neo-Aramaic) or Mandaeans (speak Mandaic), the Aramaic language speakers exist mostly in Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria.
On the other hand, the Arabic language is widely used all over the Arabic countries North Africa countries, Gulf countries, and regions in India.
It represents an important bond between the Muslim community as it is the language of the Holy Quran.
Moreover, there is an obvious demand for learning the Arabic language by Western Muslims to be able to understand and read the Holy Quran in its native language.
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Why did Arabic replace Aramaic?
The spread of Islam is the main reason for the spreading of the Arabic language and becoming the official spoken and written language in most of the Middle East.
In addition, the fascinating nature of the Arabic language and the deep meaning of its words made it a catching language for all language lovers all over the world to enjoy its depth and learn its secrets.
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When did Arabic overtake the Aramaic?
After the Muslim conquests in the 7th century, cultural and linguistic Arabization of the levant, Mesopotamia took place which gradually led to the disappearance of the Aramaic Language.
Moreover, Muslim numbers increased and the learning of Arabic language became a must in the Middle East and not only restricted to the Arabian peninsula or Yemen.
Nowadays, Arabic is widely used not only in Arabic countries but also in the West, and we at Al Walid Academy are here everywhere with our Arabic language Course to offer you solutions and break language barriers with customized courses for all genders and ages.
Why is Aramaic not spoken anymore?
During the 2nd half of the 20th century, the Aramaic-speaking Jews and their children adopted modern Hebrew as the main spoken language, therefore, the Aramaic language was gradually replaced but still spoken by some elder people in India, some Jewish communities, and Ethiopia, however, it may diminish very soon.
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Aramaic vs Arabic alphabet
The shapes of Arabic and Aramaic alphabet systems are different however some letters give the same sound and you will find some words have the same pronunciation also.
The Aramaic Alphabet is 22 characters while the Arabic is 28.
The Aramaic Alphabet
The Aramaic Alphabet originated from the Phoenician alphabet in the 8th century BC, it was adapted to write some other languages and developed into some new alphabets such as the Hebrew square script, Nabataean, Syria, Mandaic, Cursive script, and others.
It has some notable characteristics such as:
- There are 22 characters
- Written from right to left in horizontal lines.
- Has abjad/ consonant alphabet
- Used to write Aramaic
- Belongs to the Proto-Sinaitic, Phoenician, and Aramaic script family.
Early Aramaic Alphabet
Developed during the late 10th or the early 9th century BC replaced the Assyrian cuneiform and became the main writing system for the Assyrian empire.
Imperial Aramaic Alphabet
Developed in the 5th century and became the official language of the Achaemenid empire.
It was adapted to write Hebrew and it is still used in the writing system of the Neo-Aramaic dialects.
Aramaic vs Arabic language vs Hebrew
All three languages emerged in the Middle East, Arabic is a North Arabian language used in North Africa, Arabian peninsula, and Gulf countries, while Aramaic and Hebrew are both North Western Semitic languages.
Aramaic is an independent branch of the Northwest languages, while Hebrew is part of a sub-branch called the Canaanite languages.
It is the only survivor of this sub-branch, as its cousins, Ammonite, Moabite, Edomite, Phonecian, and Punic have diminished.
In other words, Aramaic and Hebrew are closer to each other than Arabic.
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Conclusion
If you’re wondering about the difference between the Aramaic vs Arabic languages, are they the same or not?, simply they are not the same.
They differ in their alphabet, vocabulary, writing systems, and grammar, and the main difference is the roots they came from.
The Arabic language replaced Aramaic which became restricted to some literature books or religious use by a few groups in the Middle East.
The replacement of the Coptic Aramaic language was driven by the cultural and political dynamics of the Arabic and Islamic conquests.
Also, being the language of the Holy Quran gave an advantage to the Arabic language over other languages for Muslims, they seek to learn it to be closer to the divine message of Allah.
Finally, they are both used in the Middle East however Arabic is the more dominant language in this area and beyond, they share some similarities as well as significant differences. Let’s hear from you and Learn Arabic And Quran Online with us.