Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

Dialects: Central Assyrian (Anhar, Mar Bishu, Nochiya, Shamezdin, Tergawar), Northern Assyrian (Baz, Dez, Gavar, Jilu, Qudshanis, Salamas, Upper Barwari, Van), Sapna (Aradhin, Benatha, Daudiya, Inishke, Tina), Urmi Assyrian (Sipurghan, Solduz, Urmi), Western Assyrian (Lewin, Lower Barwari, Tal, Tkhuma). Similar linguistically to other Northeastern Aramaic varieties. Inherent intelligibility is difficult to estimate due to extensive exposure throughout the Assyrian diaspora to many dialects, especially Urmi and Iraqi Koine. As a result, intelligibility between dialects is as high as 80%–90%. Urmian group subdialects: Urmi, Sipurghan, Solduz; Northern Group: Salamas, Van, Jilu, Gavar, Qudshanis, Upper Barwari, Dez, Baz; Central Group: Mar Bishu, Nochiya (Shamezdin), Tergawar, Anhar; Western Group: Tkhuma, Lower Barwari, Tal, Lewin; Sapna Group: Aradhin, Tina, Daudiya, Inishke, Benatha. Standard literary Assyrian is based on Urmi. Many left original areas and developed a common spoken and written form based on the prestigious Urmi dialect as spoken in Baghdad, the United States, and elsewhere (Iraqi Koine). Most Christians understand it. This Urmi variety is different from Lishán Didán Urmi variety. All dialects of Western, Northern, and Central Assyrian are spoken in Syria. A member of macrolanguage Syriac ,.

Status Notes: Recognized language (2005, Constitution, Article 4(1)), constitutional term: Syriac. Unevenly recognized except in Kurdistan Region.

Demographics: 30,000 in Iraq (1994). Population total all countries: 232,300. Ethnic population: 4,250,000 (1994).

Language Development: Radio programs. Bible: 1852–1919.

Writing System: Syriac

Nation of Origin: Iraq

Other Comments: Religious separation of Assyrian and Chaldean happened in the 16th century. Christian (Nestorian).