The language of Jesus is dying out
Published March 24, 2003
Maalula is the last place where they still speak Aramaic as that Christ fellow would've spoken it two thousand years ago, and only about two thousand people still speak it fluently.
The modern world is encroaching upon the village at a rapid pace, and no longer can Maalula be considered remote. A paved highway whisks commuters to Damascus in 45 minutes. Satellite dishes beam programs from around the world - none of them in Aramaic - into local living rooms. Job opportunities are scarce, and the younger generation is moving away, to the cities and overseas, taking with them what may turn out to be the last memories of this ancient language.
Within a few decades at most, Maalulans believe, Aramaic will have passed into history.
"In 10 or 20 years, it will be dead. The children don't speak it anymore, and all the young people are moving to Damascus," said Maria Hadi, 30, who grew up speaking Aramaic but moved to the city to attend high school and has forgotten the language of her childhood.
Thanks, incidentally, to Bill Howell, via whom I discovered this article and decided to share it here.
- The language of Jesus is dying out
- Published: March 24, 2003
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- Section: Culture
- Writer: James Russell
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Comments
Fascinating James, and I weigh about 185 right now after gaining a bit over the winter and spraining my ankle six weeks ago.
Eric, you and me both. I can't wait until they open the pool so I can get some pleasant exercise. But I'm not greasy!
San, I'm sure you aren't. The "grease" in question is more a function of personality than physique.
translation of the Aramaic? I don't think any of the new testament was actually written in Aramaic (if there is a written form), pretty sure it's all greek.




Another interesting post. A lot of questions about the veracity of the Bible come from errors in translation of the Aramaic.