Ostaramäischen

Ostaramäischen, or East Aramaic, denotes the group of Aramaic languages spoken in the eastern part of the historical Aramaic-speaking world. It forms the eastern branch of the Aramaic language family, distinct from Western Aramaic varieties spoken in the Levant. The East Aramaic continuum stretches from late antiquity to the present, with several classical and modern dialects.

Historically, East Aramaic languages were used across Mesopotamia and adjoining regions and attained literary and liturgical roles. Classical varieties include East Syriac (a form of Syriac used by the Church of the East) and other East Aramaic dialects attested in inscriptions and manuscripts from late antiquity onward. In the modern era, the most widely spoken East Aramaic languages are the Northeastern Neo-Aramaic group, notably Assyrian Neo-Aramaic (Sureth) and Chaldean Neo-Aramaic, spoken by Assyrian and Chaldean communities in Iraq, Iran, Syria and diaspora communities worldwide. Other East Aramaic dialects persist in smaller communities and in diaspora in Europe and North America.

The writing systems of East Aramaic languages typically derive from the Aramaic alphabet; Syriac scripts (Estrangela, and later Syriac scripts) have been used in liturgical and secular texts. Neo-Aramaic varieties often employ adapted Syriac scripts for everyday writing.

Today, East Aramaic languages face language endangerment but continue to be transmitted in families and churches within the diaspora. They remain an important part of cultural heritage for Assyrian and Chaldean communities, with ongoing efforts in language documentation and education.

See also Aramaic languages, Western Aramaic, Syriac, Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, Chaldean Neo-Aramaic.