Senaya
[aka Sena:ya, Christian Neo-Aramaic, Shan Sray]Classification: Afro-Asiatic
·endangered
Classification: Afro-Asiatic
·endangered
Sena:ya, Christian Neo-Aramaic, Shan Sray, Lshan Sray, Soray, Sray, Shan Gyanan |
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Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Aramaic |
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ISO 639-3 |
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Information from: “Leshaan Senaaye: The Senaya Language” . Laura McPherson and Paul Caldani (2013)
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"We estimate that currently only around 200 people are able to speak the language, none of whom younger than their 20s. At this rate, Senaya will be lost forever in less than 100 years."
English
Farsi
"As families put down roots in their new environments, Senaya is replaced by other languages, mostly Farsi or English, which are seen to be more useful."
"Originally spoken by the Chaldean Catholics of Sanandaj, Iran. In the 1950s, the community moved from Sanandaj to Tehran, and since the 1980s, most of the community has emigrated from Iran to the United States, Europe, and Australia."
Information from: “Personal Communication” . Charles Häberl (2013)
Spoken in Iran and diaspora communities in Australia, Europe, and the USA
Information from: “On the Senaya dialect” (107-129) . E. Panoussi (1990) , W. Heinrichs · Scholars Press
In Sanandaj (Persian Kurdistan) where the dialect originated, there are no longer any speakers of Senaya left. In the diaspora, as in Tehran, speakers are mostly absorbed by the Urmeznaya-speaking, predominantly Nestorian, Assyrians.
Other Assyrian dialects/languages; Persian
Due to the strong influence of other dialects, Senaya is to some extent a mixed dialect.
In the United States speakers are concentrated in California.
Information from: “The Vowel System of Senaya” . Laura McPherson and Kevin Ryan (2011)
"Our consultant, Paul Caldani, says there are only 48 Senaya families, approximately the same number there have always been."
"Highly endangered... Most children are no longer learning [Senaya]."
"Originally spoken in Sanandaj (Sena), Iran by a small community of Chaldean Catholics... In the mid-20th century, the congregation moved to Tehran, and after the Islamic Revolution, many emigrated to other countries. Paul [Caldani] says a few families are in Australia, one or two remain in Iran, but most came to Southern California."