Languages of Palestine

The primary languages of Palestine are Arabic and Hebrew.

Languages of Palestine
Warning sign in English, Hebrew and Arabic near Qasr al-Yahud
OfficialArabic
RecognisedHebrew, Armenian, Domari language
VernacularPalestinian Arabic
ForeignEnglish, French
SignedPalestinian Sign Language
Keyboard layout
Sign in Battir, West Bank, which is in Arabic and English.

Overview

Palestinian Arabic is the primary language spoken by Palestinians and has a unique dialect. A Levantine Arabic dialect subgroup, it is spoken in Palestine by Palestinians and in Palestinian populations in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel, and in the diaspora around the world.[1] However, Palestinian refugees in other parts of the world may have a different dialect from Palestinian Arabic. In the West Bank, there are many Israeli communities in which, since the early 20th century, Hebrew has become more common. However, Russian and Amharic has also started to appear resulting from Aliyah (Jewish migration) from former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. Other Jewish migrants have also brought other European languages.[2]

In premodern and medieval time periods, many other languages had also been spoken in Palestine for ceremonial purposes or otherwise, including Latin and other Italic languages as well as French, Germanic languages, Classical Arabic and Greek. However, they gradually faded away along with geopolitical shifts and the end of feudalism.[3]

See also

References
  1. Encyclopedia of the Stateless Nations: L-R - Page 1492, James Minahan - 2002
  2. Struggle and Survival in Palestine/Israel - Page 403, Gershon Shafir - 2012
  3. Naming Patterns in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, p. 42, Iris Shagrir - 2003


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