Language contact and the neo-Aramaic language of the Chaldo-Assyrians in Baghdad : a sociolinguistic study

Other Title(s)

الاتصال اللغوي و اللغة الآرامية الحديثة للكلدو آشوريين في بغداد : دراسة لغوية اجتماعية

Dissertant

al-Ubaydi, Tibah Abd al-Karim

Thesis advisor

al-Duwayk, Badr Said

Comitee Members

Abd al-Haqq, Fawwaz
Husayn, Riyad

University

Middle East University

Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of English

University Country

Jordan

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2012

English Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the language situation among the Chaldo-Assyrians in Baghdad.

The study attempted to answer the following questions: In what domains do the Chaldo-Assyrians of Baghdad use Neo- Aramaic and Arabic? What are their attitudes towards both languages?What factors are involved in using both Neo-Aramaic language and Arabic among the Chaldo-Assyrians of Baghdad?.To achieve the goal of this study, the researcher selected a sample that consisted of (135) Chaldo-Assyrians of different age, gender and educational background.

Instruments used in this study were community profile, interviews, and a questionnaire which comprised three different areas: domains of language use, language attitudes and factors that have led to the use and maintenance of the Neo-Aramaic language.

The researcher concluded that the Chaldo-Assyrians in Baghdad used and maintained their ethnic language throughout thousands of years despite the long contact with the majority language (Arabic) in Baghdad.

Also, they used Neo-Aramaic in different domains mainly at home, in religious settings and in their inner speech; and used it side by side with Arabic in many other social domains such as neighborhood, place of work, media and other public places.

The study revealed that the attitudes of the Chaldo-Assyrians towards Neo-Aramaic (Syriac) and Arabic were highly positive.

On the other hand, the study pointed out some factors that supported the use of Neo-Aramaic and Arabic.

These factors were: the habitual use of Neo-Aramaic at home and in religious settings, their positive attitudes towards their ethnic language, internal marriages, tightly-knit community and the roles of religious and political leaders and institutions in supporting the use of Neo-Aramaic.

As for Arabic, they considered it as the language of the majority and the official language of the state and therefore they used it necessarily for social, educational and economic purposes.

Finally, the researcher recommended conducting similar studies on other ethnic groups in Baghdad like Turkumans, Kurds, Armenians and Sabians.

Main Subjects

Languages & Comparative Literature

No. of Pages

139

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-692091