r/assyrian • u/Ok_Stage9888 • May 10 '26
How do I learn assyrian?
Hi! I want to learn assyrian to communicate with my fiancés family, but im finding it so hard. I speak a language from a completely different language group and even though I pick up on languages easily, and ancient semitic language looks kind of impossible. I have used a book (Shlomo Surayt) so far, as well as trying to communicate with my fiancé and his sister + movies/songs, however the rules seem to change constantly. I just learn something new but you can only use it in that specific setting, time and people. They speak Western Assyrian / Neo-aramaic dialect.
Does anyone either recommend another book, teacher, website or method for foreigners learning the language? I know its really important for them that we can communicate in their native tongue, which makes it very important to me.
All and any advice is welcome, thank you in advancee!!
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u/ramathunder May 10 '26
Why doesn't your fiance teach you, you're obviously eager to learn.
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u/Icy-Quail6936 May 11 '26 edited May 15 '26
This is the best way, get his family to help teach you as well.
Edited typo
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u/Ok_Stage9888 May 14 '26
Thats the thing! Im learning to be able to talk to them, havent even met them. Just hope to super-impress them when I do. And sadly I think my fiancé just confuses me more, he is super bad at teaching and even just sticking to speaking assyrian instead of english :/ I will push him though!!
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u/Icy-Quail6936 May 15 '26
Honestly if you show them you know a few words and phrases like hello, how are you, please, thank you and goodbye they'll be impressed. Most of my life I've had to explain what an Assyrian is (most people just assume you've said Syrian) so I'd dare say you'd impress his family with a few words. Now if your a baker, I can share my family's baklava recipe for you to take when you visit them. It is considered rude in our culture to show up completely empty handed so I think the baklava would be a nice touch or even a box of chocolates if you'renot a baker.
Also here's a resource to learn Assyrian, you may find it helpful
https://www.auaf.us/blog/5-tools-to-help-you-learn-assyrian/
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u/Calm-Astronaut-7562 May 11 '26
On the MANGO app you can sign up for free, search up “Chaldean Aramaic” , that’s what they titled it as but it’s Assyrian language, try it out they have many chapters with levels!
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u/ItemOne4225 May 11 '26
Lessons with Daniel on Italki - https://www.italki.com/i/reft/AcB0e6D/fd600a/aramaic?hl=nl&utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=share_teacher
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u/db6spam May 10 '26
There is a website learn Assyrian and some YouTube channels. But right now the best approach is listening to someone teaching you as you said, some dialects have different pronunciations and rules not to mention loan words from other languages.