Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

Had history gone differently, Western Armenian may have been an official language of some country, somewhere...perhaps Cilicia, or Western Armenia, etc. But history was not kind to Western Armenian -- and it is sadly destined to die, having been relegated to the Diaspora's harsh reality.

Are today's speakers of Eastern Armenian able to easily read old 19th century books printed in Western Armenian?

[Che_Ka]

Re: Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

As a spoken, daily language, it is destined to die.

[imhye]

Re: Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

I like the way Western Arm sounds( I speak Eastern), and I know that Western speakers generally don't like Eastern. At least whoever I met in yerevan who just came from countries like Syria, Lebanon, etc... they'd complayin that Eastern sounds too rough and "not correct".
But, guys, the speach you are getting in yerevan is not the "correct" Eastern... It's "yerevan slang".
I find both Eastern and Western to sound quite nice when spoken correctly.

I think most Eastern speakers speak way too fast, like in a rush want to get done. Western is more laid back. This probably explains why a lot of Eastern speakers understand Western speakers more than the opposite.

As a spoken, daily language, it is destined to die.

Sadly, that will most likely be the end result, but I dont think anytime soon. If I remember correctly, I've read a few years ago that another form of ancient Armenian dialect in the Holy Land died off as well.

But as for Western Armenian, I think it will die first in the United States than anywhere else. There are way too many Armenians here who speak one sentence Armenian then one sentence English, then Armenian, then English, etc. It gets annoying and sounds stupid, almost makes you want to say make up your mind, Armenian or English. I've visited other Armenian communities in Europe over the years and they stick to Armenian when conversing.

[Che_Ka]

Re: Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

Imhye: I think the European communities are on the same path as we are. In general, in Western countries, it's really difficult NOT to assimilate. The only hope for Western Armenian's continued survival is in the Muslim, Arab countries (Syria and Lebanon, basically). It is there that new generations still speak Armenian as their daily language (like my cousins in Syria!). But even in Lebanon, there is a high intermarriage rate...

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

As a spoken, daily language, it is destined to die.

That's not what I asked.

[anniewho]

Re: Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

I have been married into a Western Armenian family for about two years. However, I have known them for over six years now. During these past years, I have had a very negative experience. Firstly, I was raised to respect individuals and their believes. I also had never experienced, adults making fun of those whom were younger than them. For example, as kids we can make fun of each other. It would seem strange if an adult made fun of a kid or someone younger. This is is how my relationship has been with my inlaws. They are in the 70's and pick on my Eastern Armenian every chance that they get. My husband explained why certain words sound different. He said, we simply do not have three sounds for three letter. We have two for all three. For example, when the Western Armenians say duke as in them, they say took. Which also means spit. In Western when they ask if you are coming, it sounds like kaak....also mean xxxx. You see if there is anyone who needs to make fun of anyone it should be I reminding them that they are calling each other spit and xxxx.
I am sooooooooooooooooo over this topic.
Thanks

[KanadaHye]

Re: Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

I have been married into a Western Armenian family for about two years. However, I have known them for over six years now. During these past years, I have had a very negative experience. Firstly, I was raised to respect individuals and their believes. I also had never experienced, adults making fun of those whom were younger than them. For example, as kids we can make fun of each other. It would seem strange if an adult made fun of a kid or someone younger. This is is how my relationship has been with my inlaws. They are in the 70's and pick on my Eastern Armenian every chance that they get. My husband explained why certain words sound different. He said, we simply do not have three sounds for three letter. We have two for all three. For example, when the Western Armenians say duke as in them, they say took. Which also means spit. In Western when they ask if you are coming, it sounds like kaak....also mean xxxx. You see if there is anyone who needs to make fun of anyone it should be I reminding them that they are calling each other spit and xxxx.
I am sooooooooooooooooo over this topic.
Thanks

OK....

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

I have been married into a Western Armenian family for about two years. However, I have known them for over six years now. During these past years, I have had a very negative experience. Firstly, I was raised to respect individuals and their believes. I also had never experienced, adults making fun of those whom were younger than them. For example, as kids we can make fun of each other. It would seem strange if an adult made fun of a kid or someone younger. This is is how my relationship has been with my inlaws. They are in the 70's and pick on my Eastern Armenian every chance that they get. My husband explained why certain words sound different. He said, we simply do not have three sounds for three letter. We have two for all three. For example, when the Western Armenians say duke as in them, they say took. Which also means spit. In Western when they ask if you are coming, it sounds like kaak....also mean xxxx. You see if there is anyone who needs to make fun of anyone it should be I reminding them that they are calling each other spit and xxxx.
I am sooooooooooooooooo over this topic.
Thanks

Great points.Western armenian is definetly harder and thats the biggest reason eastern armenian was formed.I feel bad that your not happy with your inlaws, i hope your spouce is worth the trouble you endure.

[jgk3]

Re: Armenian Dialect - Why Is The Older One Wrong?

no bumping old threads next time.