Syria’s transitional Minister of Culture sparks controversy over Syriac language remarks; “… The Syriac language is one of the Arabic dialects,” he claims

DARAMSUQ (DAMASCUS) — In a statement that has ignited debate among linguists and cultural historians, Mohammad Yassin Saleh, recently appointed transitional Minister of Culture for the Syrian Arab Republic, asserted that the Syriac language is merely a dialect of Arabic. His claim challenges the prevailing academic consensus, which recognizes Syriac as part of the Aramaic language family which, in turn, is part of the Semitic language. 

“The Syriac language is one of the Arabic dialects,” Saleh said during a statement. 

Born in 1985 in Qudsaya, a suburb of Daramsuq (Damascus), Saleh has cultivated a diverse career in linguistics and media. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from London Metropolitan University and a master’s in Translation from the University of Westminster. His professional journey includes a tenure at news channel Al-Jazeera in Qatar, where he worked in journalism. In 2016, Saleh achieved first place in the “Faseeh Al-Arab” competition in Qatar, underscoring his proficiency in classical Arabic. 

Debate over Syriac’s classification 

Syriac, part of the Aramaic language family, has historically served as a vernacular and liturgical tongue for the Syriac people and other various Christian communities in the Middle East. Scholars classify Aramaic, including Syriac, as a separate branch of the Semitic language family, alongside Arabic and Hebrew. Yusuf Beğtaş of the Syriac Language, Culture, and Literary Association in Mardin notes, “The Syriac language is one of the oldest languages in history… it has deeply influenced [Hebrew and Arabic].” 

Saleh’s characterization of Syriac as an Arabic dialect has drawn criticism from linguistic experts and cultural organizations. They argue that such a classification diminishes the unique heritage of the Syriac-speaking people and overlooks the language’s long and independent evolution. Aramaic was for centuries the Lingua Franca of the Middle East. 

As Syria continues to navigate its complex cultural and linguistic landscape, statements like these from Minister Saleh highlight the sensitivities inherent in defining the nation’s diverse heritage. The discourse surrounding the status of the Syriac language underscores the broader challenges of cultural preservation and recognition in a region marked by rich historical tapestry.