Celebrating Syriac on International Mother Language Day: Discussing the Ancient Language’s Legacy, Influence, and Preservation with Dr. Hend Fathy

The world observes International Mother Language Day on 21 February each year. Established by the United Nations in 2000, this day aims to promote linguistic diversity, foster peace, and protect all mother languages worldwide.

A mother tongue is the first language a person speaks and the first words they hear. It is the language learned during early childhood, shaping one’s ability to express thoughts as they grow. It also plays a vital role in forming a person’s social, personal, and cultural identity.

On International Mother Language Day, SyriacPress highlights the rich history of the ancient Aramaic Syriac language through a special conversation with Dr. Hend Fathy, an Egyptian specialist in Syriac language and literature.

Origins of the Syriac Language

Discussing the origins of the Syriac language, Dr. Fathy explained that Syriac is a dialect of Aramaic, which belongs to the linguistic group collectively referred to by scholars as the Semitic languages.

Syriac, also known as the Edessan dialect, is the Aramaic dialect native to Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), specifically the region whose capital was Edessa — known to Arabs as Urfa.

With the emergence of Christianity, Aramaic speakers who converted to the new faith began to associate the term “Aramaic” with paganism. Instead, they identified as Syriacs, adopting the Greek term used for the people of Syria. Consequently, their language became known as Syriac. The Syriacs were a group of Aramaeans who embraced Christianity. As Christianity flourished, so did the Syriac language, eventually becoming the official language of the Church.

Evolution of the Syriac Language Through the Ages

Dr. Fathy emphasized that the Syriac language greatly benefited from its adoption as a liturgical language by Christianity. With the spread of Christianity, Syriac literature and translation flourished, achieving an advanced level by the early third century AD.

She noted that Syriac literature entered a golden age between the third and seventh centuries AD. During this period, Syriac writers documented their works using various scripts, the earliest being the Estrangela script, which some believe means “Gospel script.” As the Syriacs divided into Eastern, Western, and Melkite branches, each developed its own distinct script. Syriac remained prominent until the Arab conquest of Syriac-speaking regions, which led to its gradual decline in favor of Arabic. Nevertheless, Syriac persisted among scholars who continued using it in religious writings, particularly within Church settings.

Dr. Fathy highlighted a revival of Syriac in the 12th and 13th centuries, led by renowned writers such as Ibn al-Salibi, Michael the Great, and Bar Hebraeus. These scholars translated works by Muslim philosophers, including Avicenna and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, from Arabic into Syriac.

By the end of the 13th century, Syriac usage had declined significantly, surviving only in the remote villages of Tur Abdin in southeastern Turkey and three isolated villages in Syria: Malula (Maaloula), Jubb’adin (Jabadeen), and Bakh’a (Al-Sarkha), located in the Daramsuq (Damascus) countryside. Over the years, numerous scholars and researchers, both Arab and foreign, have studied these villages to document the language’s evolution.

Syriac Alphabet

Dr. Fathy explained that the Syriacs developed a unique script with several distinct styles:

• Estrangela Script: Also called the open script, it is sometimes referred to as the heavy or Edessan script.
• Eastern Script: Derived from the Estrangela script, it serves as the foundation of Syriac writing systems.
• Western Script: Known as the Maronite script by Indians, it is also referred to as “Serto,” meaning “fast script.”
• Melkite Script: A hybrid that combines elements of the previous three styles.

Spread of the Syriac Language

Dr. Fathy highlighted that Syriac spread across various regions due to cultural and religious expansion, particularly through Syriac Churches and Christian missionaries. It reached Egypt, especially in monasteries and among the clergy in Alexandria. Connections also existed between the Church of Edessa and the Christian Church in southern France. Many Syriacs migrated to France during the Carolingian era, around 800 AD.

Additionally, Syriac spread eastward, becoming the liturgical language of the Church in Persia and extending to regions such as Turkestan, India, and even China through missionary efforts.

Influence of Syriac on Arabic

Dr. Fathy emphasized the deep connection between Syriac and Arabic, a relationship evident in numerous historical texts. Whether in studies focused exclusively on Syriac, Arabic, or comparative linguistics, the link between the two languages is undeniable.

She explained that Syriac speakers played a pivotal role in the intellectual awakening of the Arabs during the Abbasid era, acting as a bridge through which knowledge and sciences were transmitted to the Arabic-speaking world.

Between Diversity and Preservation

Dr. Fathy concluded by emphasizing that language is the foundation of everything. While linguistic diversity is essential in today’s world, preserving one’s mother tongue is equally important. Safeguarding cultural and historical heritage — both tangible and intangible — is critical to protecting the Syriac language from extinction.

Dr. Hend Fathy earned her doctorate in Syriac Language Studies from the Mansoura University. She creates e-learning resources for the Syriac language. Follow her on Facebook and X (Twitter).