18 km away
Spoken across Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan. Known for soft consonants and a shared cultural vocabulary.
Western Neo-Aramaic
Also known as: Maaloula Aramaic, Siryon
The only surviving Western Aramaic vernacular, spoken in the Anti-Lebanon villages of Maaloula, Bakhʿa, and Jubbʿadin north of Damascus by both Christian and Muslim communities. Fewer than 10,000 fluent speakers remain after wartime displacement, most of them older adults.
Shareable facts
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Frequently asked questions
What language is Western Neo-Aramaic?
Western Neo-Aramaic is a dialect of the Western Neo-Aramaic language.
Where is Western Neo-Aramaic spoken?
Western Neo-Aramaic is primarily spoken in Syria.
Which region is Western Neo-Aramaic associated with?
Western Neo-Aramaic is part of the Middle East region on DialectAtlas.
Is Western Neo-Aramaic known by other names?
Yes — Western Neo-Aramaic is also referred to as Maaloula Aramaic, Siryon.
Is Western Neo-Aramaic endangered?
Western Neo-Aramaic is severely endangered. It is largely spoken by older generations; parents may understand it but typically do not pass it on to their children.
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