AINA News
The Significance of Official Language Status of Assyrian in Syria
By Dr. John Kaninya
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(AINA) -- The recent decision by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) to officially incorporate the Assyrian language into its website marks a significant milestone for cultural representation, linguistic rights, and digital inclusion. With this update, the Assyrian language now appears alongside Kurdish, Arabic, and English as one of the languages used in publishing governmental news, official statements, and administrative updates. The move fulfils the commitments outlined in the Social Contract issued in December 2023, which recognized Assyrian as an official language across all areas governed by DAARNES.

The publication of content in Assyrian on the official website began on Thursday, receiving widespread praise from the Assyrian (Aramean--Assyrian--Chaldean) community both inside Syria and throughout the global diaspora. For many, this is more than a technical enhancement--it is a symbolic and practical affirmation of indigenous identity, belonging, and cultural continuity. The decision follows a 2024 circular issued by the Co-Chairs of the Executive Council of Gozarto (Jazira) Canton requiring all administrative bodies, offices, and councils to use Assyrian, Kurdish, and Arabic in documents, signage, event materials, and public communications.

Academically, this development provides an important case study for researchers in linguistics, Middle Eastern governance, and cultural rights. The institutional use of Assyrian in an official digital platform contributes to the modernization and standardization of the language. It expands its contemporary vocabulary, strengthens its presence in online communication, and enhances its accessibility to younger generations who increasingly interact with the world through digital media. This level of exposure is essential for the survival of an ancient language that has endured centuries of cultural suppression and dispersion.

Culturally, the adoption of Assyrian by DAARNES reinforces recognition of the Assyrian people as one of the region's oldest and historically rooted communities. The language is not merely a tool of communication but a vessel carrying millennia of heritage, literature, liturgy, and collective memory. Seeing it represented on an official platform gives the community a sense of validation, dignity, and hope that their identity remains valued within the modern political landscape of Syria.

The decision by DAARNES to expand Assyrian-language use to its website demonstrates a genuine commitment to pluralism, coexistence, and cultural inclusion. It stands as an inspiring example of how modern administrations can support indigenous languages and ensure that they continue to thrive in both public institutions and digital environments.



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