Language and Religion: The Syriac language within the Syriac Christian minority In Homs, Syria.
Presenter(s)
Mary Alyousef
Affiliation
Utrecht University
Topic
Bottom-up and top-down language policy and planning
Type
Papers
Abstract
Ethnolinguistic vitality assessment necessitates a multifactorial approach to understand the complex dynamics of language maintenance and shift (UNESCO, 2003). The interplay between language and religion has garnered increasing attention in sociolinguistics and in several cases religion is presented as a key factor influencing these dynamics (Davis, 2015). This research focuses on the Syriac Christian ethnolinguistic minority in Homs, Syria, exploring the relationship between Syriac Christian identity and the critically endangered Syriac language among members of this minority group. In this research, I examine Syriac Christians' perceptions of the church as a religious institution and its role in safeguarding the Syriac minority interests, including language. Additionally, I explore the relations between language, religion, spirituality, and identity. This research adopts framework of ethnolinguistic vitality evaluation (Giles et al., 1977) and investigates two clusters of factors germane to the demographics and institutional support that the Syriac Christian minority receives in Homs. The qualitative methods employed in this study include in-depth semi-structured interviews (28 participants) and participant observation. The fieldwork was conducted in Homs, Feb/March 2021. The location of interviews and participant observation varied between the Syriac Christian churches and homes of participants. The fieldwork provides new and important insights pertinent to Syriac Christians' perceptions of the church, Syriac language and cultural identity. Analysis revealed that Syriac Christians perceive the church as a cultural anchor and a vital institution for the preservation of their endangered language and cultural identity. Analysis uncovered also that the Syriac language is closely associated with spirituality and religious practices, though challenges such as generational language decline persist.
Key words: Ethnolinguistic vitality, minority language, language and religion, religious institutions, Syria
