Armenian

Armenian Language

The Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken primarily in Armenia and the Armenian diaspora. It is the official language of the Republic of Armenia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Armenian has its own unique script, the Armenian alphabet, which was created in the 5th century AD by Mesrop Mashtots.

History

The Armenian language has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It is traditionally divided into three periods:

• Classical Armenian (Grabar): The oldest form of the language, used from the 5th to the 11th century. It is the language of the Armenian Apostolic Church and classical Armenian literature.
• Middle Armenian: The transitional phase from the 11th to the 17th century, during which the language underwent significant changes.
• Modern Armenian: The contemporary form of the language, which is further divided into two major dialects: Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian.

Dialects

Armenian has numerous dialects, but the two most prominent are:

• Eastern Armenian: Spoken in Armenia, Artsakh, and Iran. It is the official language of Armenia.
• Western Armenian: Spoken by the Armenian diaspora, particularly in countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, and the United States.

Phonology

Armenian phonology is characterized by a set of consonants and vowels that are distinct from other Indo-European languages. It includes:

• A series of stops and affricates that are voiced, voiceless, and aspirated.
• A set of seven vowels, which can be short or long.

Grammar

Armenian grammar is notable for its:

• Use of agglutination, where words are formed by adding prefixes and suffixes.
• Complex system of noun declensions and verb conjugations.
• Use of postpositions rather than prepositions.

Writing System

The Armenian alphabet consists of 39 letters, each representing a single phoneme. It was developed by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD to facilitate the translation of the Bible and other religious texts into Armenian.

Literature

Armenian literature has a long and rich tradition, with notable works such as:

• The 5th-century "History of Armenia" by Movses Khorenatsi.
• The epic poem "David of Sasun".
• Modern authors like Hovhannes Tumanyan and William Saroyan.

See Also

• Armenian culture
• Armenian history
• Armenian diaspora

External Links

• Ethnologue report for Armenian
• Omniglot: Armenian Language