Aramaic language

ܐܪܡܝܐ |familycolor=yellow

Grammar

As with other Semitic languages, Aramaic morphology (the way words are put together) is based on the triliteral root. The root consists of three consonants and has a basic meaning, for example, k-t-b has the meaning of 'writing'. This is then modified by the addition of vowels and other consonants to create different nuances of the basic meaning:

Related Topics:
Morphology - Triliteral

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• Kthâvâ, handwriting, inscription, script, book.
• Kthâvê, the Scriptures.
• Kâthûvâ, secretary, scribe.
• Kthâveth, I wrote.
• Ekhtûv, I shall write.{{listen|filename=kthovo.ogg|title=Aramaic words based on the triliteral root k-t-b|description=|format=Ogg}}

Aramaic has two grammatical genders, masculine and feminine. Nouns can be either singular or plural, but an additional 'dual' number exists for nouns that usually come in pairs. The dual number gradually disappeared from Aramaic over time and has little influence in Middle and Modern Aramaic.

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Aramaic nouns and adjectives can exist in one of three states; these states correspond in part to the role of cases in other languages. The 'absolute' state is the basic form of a noun (for example, kthâvâ, 'handwriting'). The 'construct' state is a truncated form of the noun used to make possessive phrases (for example, kthâvath malkthâ, 'the handwriting of the queen). The 'emphatic' or 'determined' state is an extended form of the noun that functions a bit like a definite article (which Aramaic lacks; for example, kthâvtâ, 'the handwriting'). In time, the construct state began to be replaced by other possessive phrases, and the emphatic state became the norm in most dialects. Most dialects of Modern Aramaic use only the emphatic state.

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The various forms of possessive phrases (for 'the handwriting of the queen') are:

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• Kthâvath malkthâ — The oldest construction: the possessed object is in the construct state.
• Kthâvtâ d(î)-malkthâ — Both words are in the emphatic state and the relative particle d(î)- is used to mark the relationship.
• Kthâvtâh d(î)-malkthâ — Both words are in the emphatic state, and the relative particle is used, but the possessed is given an anticipatory, pronominal ending (literally, 'her writing, that (of) the queen').

In Modern Aramaic, the last form is by far the most common. In Biblical Aramaic, the last form is virtually absent.{{listen|filename=kthovath malktho.ogg|title=Different variations of the possessive construction in Aramaic|description=|format=Ogg}}

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The Aramaic verb has six 'conjugations' or stems: alterations to the verbal root that can mark the passive voice (ethkthev, 'it was written'), intensive (kattev, 'he decreed (in writing)'), the extensive (akhtev, 'he composed') or a combination of these. Aramaic also has two proper tenses: the perfect and the imperfect. In Imperial Aramaic, the participle began to be used for a historic present. Perhaps under influence from other languages, Middle Aramaic developed a system of composite tenses (combinations of forms of the verb with pronouns or an auxiliary verb), allowing for narrative that is more vivid.

Related Topics:
Passive voice - Tenses - Participle - Historic present - Auxiliary verb

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The syntax of Aramaic (the way sentences are put together) usually follows the order verb-subject-object (VSO).

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