Endangered Languages Project - Senaya

Senaya

^{[aka Sena:ya, Christian Neo-Aramaic, Shan Sray]}

Classification: Afro-Asiatic

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endangered

ALSO KNOWN AS		Sena:ya, Christian Neo-Aramaic, Shan Sray, Lshan Sray, Soray, Sray, Shan Gyanan
CLASSIFICATION		Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Aramaic
CODE AUTHORITY		ISO 639-3
LANGUAGE CODE		syn
DOWNLOAD		As csv
MORE RESOURCES		OLAC search
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS		From Charles Häberl: [Senaya is] "distinct from other sub-groups and not mutually intelligible. Located at the Southeastern periphery of Northeastern Neo-Aramaic dialects. Same vicinity as Hulaulá but not mutually intelligible. Chaldean Catholics from Iranian Kurdistan."

Compare Sources (8)

Information from: “Leshaan Senaaye: The Senaya Language” . Laura McPherson and Paul Caldani (2013)

Endangered

60 percent certain, based on the evidence available
<200
Native speakers worldwide
CHILDREN
0
MORE ON SPEAKER NUMBERS
"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."

TRANSMISSION
OTHER LANGUAGES USED BY THE COMMUNITY
LANGUAGE CONTEXT COMMENTS: "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."

PLACES: USA, Australia, Iran

LOCATION DESCRIPTION: "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."

Endangered

20 percent certain, based on the evidence available
460
Native speakers worldwide
MORE ON SPEAKER NUMBERS
60 in Iran (1997 H. Mutzafi).

PLACES: USA; Australia; Iran;

Severely endangered

20 percent certain, based on the evidence available
60
Native speakers worldwide

Endangered

20 percent certain, based on the evidence available
460
Native speakers worldwide

PLACES: Iran, Australia, USA

LOCATION DESCRIPTION: Spoken in Iran and diaspora communities in Australia, Europe, and the USA

Severely endangered

20 percent certain, based on the evidence available
~50
Native speakers worldwide

OTHER LANGUAGES USED BY THE COMMUNITY

PLACES: Kurdistan

Endangered

60 percent certain, based on the evidence available
~460
Native speakers worldwide
MORE ON SPEAKER NUMBERS
"Our consultant, Paul Caldani, says there are only 48 Senaya families, approximately the same number there have always been."

TRANSMISSION

MORE ON VITALITY

"Highly endangered... Most children are no longer learning [Senaya]."

PLACES: Iran, Australia, USA

LOCATION DESCRIPTION: "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."

Fewer than 100 families
Native speakers worldwide
MORE ON SPEAKER NUMBERS
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 LANGUAGES USED BY THE COMMUNITY
LANGUAGE CONTEXT COMMENTS: Due to the strong influence of other dialects, Senaya is to some extent a mixed dialect.

PLACES: Iran; Turkey; Australia; Europe; America; Africa

LOCATION DESCRIPTION: In the United States speakers are concentrated in California.

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LOCATION INFORMATION

COORDINATES

35.1852,46.5932

COORDINATES

36.2664,50.0042

Compare Sources (2)

Information from: “Personal Communication” . Charles Häberl (2013)