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Glite Dictionary
Aramaic language

Aramaic language

9.2
A language from the Middle East once spoken by ancient Arameans and still used by some people
  • noun
  • /ˌærəˈmeɪɪk ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/
translation icon : idioma arameo
  • The Aramaic language was widely used in the Middle East during ancient times.

Examples

  • Some communities in Syria and Iraq still speak varieties of the Aramaic language today.

  • The Aramaic language has a rich history.

  • Many ancient texts, including portions of the Bible, are written in Aramaic language.

  • Many scholars study the Aramaic languages for historical research.

  • In some regions, the Aramaic language is still spoken in religious ceremonies.

  • Many scholars study the Aramaic language to understand historical texts better.

  • The Aramaic language has influenced several modern languages in the Middle East.

Synonyms

Aramaic
vsAramaic language
8 9.4

A language from southwestern Asia first spoken by the ancient Arameans and still used by some people

focuses on its original speech by ancient Arameans and current use in southwestern Asia

Surface Forms

Aramaic language singular
Aramaic languages plural

Morphology

Aramaic + language

The phrase is fully compositional: 'Aramaic' names a specific language and 'language' denotes a speech system, so together they mean 'the language called Aramaic.' The headword+language pattern is a common, cross-linguistic construction and therefore immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Aramaic language takes its name from the Arameans, an ancient people from the area of modern Syria and Iraq who spoke that language. Their speech spread across the region for trade and government, so many old texts are written in it and some communities still speak its varieties today, which is why Aramaic language means the language of the Arameans and the related languages still used now.