Today, following one of my news feeds, I came across two very odd videos on YouTube. Here’s the first one:
When I was reading the title and watching the verb forms it was going over, I began scratching my chin in puzzlement. In Imperial Aramaic, Pe’il and Pu’al forms are *extremely* rare (in fact they tend to only show up in participle forms if at all) and are not the direct passives of Pe’al and Pa’el.
The three forms this video *should* have been going over were Hithpa’al, Hithpe’el and Hoph’al.
Now here’s the second one:
Among other things, notice how they use “merci” for “thanks.” This immediately struck me as odd, as “merci” is distinctly French, not Assyrian Neo-Aramaic.
I would have expected “basima/basimta” or even “taude,” and I was not the only one judging by the comments; however, one of the comments mentioned:
[…] One thing, though is like a little scratch to my ear.”Merci’ , which is used mainly by Lebanese and Iranian Assyrians. Other Assyrians, who went from Atra to different countries, likeο»Ώ Russia, and were not subjected to Western influence, don’t use it. It is French, […]
The rest of the comments (especially on the 4th page) also reveal some interesting regional differences.
Curious. π
Peace,
-Steve
The first video isn’t working. π
As for the second video, the guy is teaching the (heavily Persianized) Urmian dialect of Assyrian Neo-Aramaic. Persian also borrowed “merci” from French, so that’s where it’s probably from.
The first video’s sudden absence does not surprise me.
I left a comment pointing out this fact and politely requested that they curtail continuing their video series until they have a better grasp upon the language… to which they left a rather rude and scathing reply followed in a matter of hours by pulling the video. π
On to video #2: Since my expertise lies within ancient, classical and older dialects, I always find myself delighted to learn more quirks about North Eastern Neo-Aramaic dialects, simply because the variation, evolution and richness of the branch is so vast.
This is the very first time I’ve come across a French loan word in such a manner. Now I will simply have to learn more. π
Peace,
-Steve
The first comment correctly points out that the second video is teaching the Urmi dialect, which has had heavy Persian influence, which is easily seen in the use of the word “merci.” The intent of the video is to teach the language as it is colloquially spoken by Assyrians from the Urmi region, even though that may require the extensive use of loan words. The (somewhat unfortunate) fact of the matter is many modern Aramaic speakers will use loan words because they simply do not understand the original Aramaic counterparts. This is a very common theme in the evolution of languages. As Aramaic has ceased being a dominant language in the regions where it is spoken, it is to be expected that much of the common vocabulary will be influenced by the languages around it. In the Urmi dialect, “merci” is the word most commonly used for “thank you”. Basima/Basimta/Basime is heard, but it is considered somewhat formal (Later videos in this series explain that merci is a loan word as are many words that are introduced, and teach basima as an alternative.). After studying this dialect for almost ten years, I have never heard tawdi, though I know it is present in other dialects (this makes it very different from dialects spoken outside of Iran, which explains many of the other comments). However, Urmi is the only dialect I am extensively familiar with.
P.S. – There are a few other French loans by way of Farsi in this dialect along with a lot of other quirks that are very peculiar for a Semitic language.
On the topic of loans, Steve, have you ever come across an etymology for the Neo-Aramaic kosa or kawsa (“hair”)? The Slavic languages have “kosa” meaning the same thing…any connection?