Chaldeans are a Catholic ethno-religious community that hails from northern Iraq. While they speak a version of Aramaic in their villages, most Chaldeans in Iraq know Arabic.

What language do the Chaldeans speak?

The Chaldean language is a dialect of Aramaic, not Arabic, which is a key identifier of Arabs. While Chaldeans share origins and some traditions with Arabs, it is their language, culture and history that makes them distinct.

Who still speaks Aramaic?

Aramaic is still spoken by scattered communities of Jews, Mandaeans and some Christians. Small groups of people still speak Aramaic in different parts of the Middle East. The wars of the last two centuries have made many speakers leave their homes to live in different places around the world.