Introduction I (Arabic version)
My hometown Maaloula and neighbouring villages have been the destination of numerous linguistic scientists who have come here to study the Aramaic language – our mother tongue!
It is a bit unfortunate, however, that these researchers leave behind little more than a fleeting memory of their short stay here. Rarely do the inhabitants of Maaloula learn anything about the results of the research work, which often involved many of the Aramaic speakers of the area.
As far as I know, there is no Arabic-Aramaic dictionary available at present. Such a dictionary is of paramount importance, as one tool to help stop the Aramaic language from slowly fading into oblivion. At school our children are taught in the Arabic language and must therefore learn elsewhere about the expressive power of their mother tongue, its rich vocabulary and its idiomatic pithiness.
It should be called to mind that Aramaic and Syriac are closely related to each other and that they are first cousins to the Arabic language, all being closely related members within the group of Semitic languages.
Comparing these languages with one another, one will discover many common words and common linguistic structures. Moreover, these languages borrowed from one another and have influenced each other over many centuries. Whoever wishes to acquire an in-depth knowledge of Arabic and its subtleties ought to study Aramaic and Syriac intensively.
English translations of the Arabic terms were added to facilitate the use of this glossary for foreigners who are not fluent in Arabic.
This collection is not complete by any means, only the first decisive steps have been taken and the project is to be viewed as work in progress.
I should like to request that the reader please draw our attention to any errors that I am sure do exist. Suggestions ( in English, French, German or Arabic ) which will help us to improve this compendium will always be welcome. Please send them to: –
George Ruskallah