Armenia is a country in the mountainous regions of Southwestern Asia. The population consists of approximately 2.8 million people and the official language spoken by the population is Armenian. The unique traits of the Armenian language are a very good reason to learn about this beautiful culture and eventually learn to speak Armenian! However, what makes the Armenian language so unique? The Armenian alphabet was created in approximately 405 AD by Mesrop Mashtots. This makes the Armenian alphabet one of the most ancient alphabets in the world! It's distinctive nature gives the Armenian language it's own language branch in the Indo-European language family. While Armenia is influenced by and shares resemblances with it's neighboring countries, it kept it's own unique and vibrant culture. The Armenian language is a great factor in the matter. Let us show you all of the uniqueness in the Armenian language. Maybe after this article you will want to learn to speak Armenian!
Learn to Speak Armenian : What Is the Armenian Alphabet?
First of all, is Armenian difficult to learn? Studying and learning a new language is always a good challenge. Armenian might represent a harder challenge than learning Spanish or English, but remains accomplishable. Would you like to take Armenian classes? Are you planning on traveling or moving to Armenia? Would you like your children to learn to speak Armenian? Let's start with the basics. What is the Armenian alphabet? Well, the Armenian language has it's own alphabet. Mesrop Mashtots created the Armenian alphabet based on the Greek, Assyrian, Persian and Aramaic alphabet. However, the Armenian alphabet remains very different. Mesrop Mashtots is an Armenian linguist who studied these existing alphabets in order to see how applicable they can be to the phonetics of the Armenian language. It remained a very difficult task because Armenian has a very unique phonetic and no existing alphabet could appropriately express it. Mesrop Mashtots then created the Armenian alphabet, containing 36 letters according to phonetic composition. Later one, three more letters were added with it's evolution through time (և, օ, ֆ). Let's take a look on some more fun and interesting facts on the Armenian language and alphabet.
Fun fact #1: The alphabet created by Mesrop Mashtots also had numerical values. The first letters from Ա to Թ represented numbers 1 to 9, the letters Ժ-Ղ represented multiples of tens 10 to 90, the letters Ճ-Ջ represented multiples of a hundred 100-900 and the letters Ռ-Ք represented multiples of a thousand 1000 to 9000.
Fun fact #2: The numerical value of the Armenian alphabet have shown the match all the serial numbers of the metals on the periodic table. Let us explain. Let's take gold for example! Gold in Armenian is writting “ոսկի” and pronounced “voski”. According to the alphabet's numerical values, Ո (vo) – 24, Ս (s) – 29, Կ (k) – 19, Ի (i)– 11. The sum of these four numbers adds up to 79. Isn't that fun? 79 is the gold's atomic number in the periodic table of Mendeleev.
Fun fact #3: The alphabet is not just an alphabet... It has it's very own secrets and mysteries!
When created, the Armenian alphabet's purpose wasn't just for writing. This being said, the Armenian alphabet contains secrets on scientific, cosmic and religious information. Thousands of scientists and researchers have studied the Armenian language. Armenian's writing is more than just an alphabet. Pythagoras, the mathematician, believed that numbers rule the world and let's not forget that the Armenian alphabet has numerical values! The Armenian alphabet, in order, is placed in four rows. If we trace an equilateral triangle in the middle, the three tips of the triangle will point to the letters Ա, Ս and Ք. The letter Ա represents the Creator, the letter Ս represents the Holy Spirit and the letter Ք represents Jesus Christ. If we try a rhombic placement instead of the equilateral triangle, the letters Հ, Ա, Յ, Ք will also be at the four extremities. It is also not random that the Armenian alphabet contains 7 vowels. The number seven represents a cosmic number. Choosing to have 7 vowels was intentional. How interesting is that?! There is so much to learn on Armenian language, culture and history. Where to start? Let's start by differentiating the two dialects in the Armenian language.
Armenian Classes : What Are the Different Armenian Dialects?
The Armenian language has two dialects, making it a pluricentric language. The two dialects are Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian. In Armenia, the population speaks Eastern Armenian. Eastern Armenian is also spoken in certain parts of Iran and Azerbaijan. Western Armenian is spoken in Armenia's neighboring countries, just like Lebanon, Turkey and Egypt for example. Why? Western Armenian is spoken by Armenians who have migrated elsewhere. Before 1991, Eastern Armenia was part of the Soviet Union. Therefore, it is possible to notice some resemblances between the two languages. Russian influences are present in the Eastern Armenian dialect. The two dialects, Eastern and Western Armenian, have differences in their phonetics and in their spelling. Speaking of phonetics, as mentioned earlier, Armenian has it's own language branch in the Indo-European language family. The Armenian language has unique phonetics and consequently, a unique alphabet. The phonetics of the Armenian language are called ejective sounds and mainly use the vocal chords instead of the lungs to push the air out. Are you interested in learning about the Armenian history and culture? What is the history of the Armenian language? There are many ways in order to enrich your knowledge on Armenia. The best way to start learning about a country and it's culture is by learning it's language. Have you chosen which dialect you'd like to learn? Will it be Western Armenian or Eastern Armenian? Let take a look at some Armenian classes in the United States.
Luckily, many possibilities are made available in the United States if you wish to learn Armenian or any other language. The most efficient way to learn a language is by traveling and intergrading yourself within the community. However, let's make it easier by taking up a few classes first. One-on-one Armenian classes with a qualified and reliable tutor, you will be able to reach your objectives in no time! Here's how to find your perfect tutor this week!
How to Sign Up for Language Classes Online and Learn Armenian?
Would you like to learn to speak Armenian? Are you looking for language classes for kids? Let us introduce you to Superprof. Superprof is an online educational platform with qualified tutors who teach specialized classes to thousands of students looking to learn and/or improve. Classes with Superprof are individual and adapted to the students needs and objectives. A wide range of classes are taught on Superprof! You can find dance classes, history classes, math classes, science classes, art classes, geography classes, boxing classes and language classes for example. Specific to language courses, you will find English classes, Spanish classes, Italian classes, Korean classes, Russian classes, Romanian classes, French classes, Armenian classes and many other languages. Are you looking for Armenian classes in the United States? Whether you live in Maryland, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Madison, Baltimore or in Los Angeles, tutors are available and eager to help you achieve all of your goals! All you need to do is use the search bar on Superprof's main page and search for Armenian classes and then your city.
You will then find all the tutors available in your area and/or online. All the tutors on the platform have a profile in which you'll find information on their experience, their studies, their classes and their fees. You can even read the reviews from their previous students! Armenian classes are taught to kids and adults, according to their level! After choosing your teacher, Superprof may offer your first class for free. Are you wondering why? Simply so that you can get to know your tutor, organize your classes and share your objectives. The advantage of opting for Armenian classes with a tutor is that you'll have to flexibility and liberty to organize your own schedule with your tutor. That's right! You can choose when and where you'd like to have your Armenian courses! Superprof's tutors offer classes online or in person. You can learn Armenian in the comfort of your own home. Your classes can be in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, after school, after work, during the weekend, during your holidays and, etc.! How cool is that? Are you ready to learn Armenian together? Superprof's tutors offer Armenian classes starting at 5$ per hour. Easy and affordable, you can start learning the Armenian alphabet this week! Which dialect would you like to learn? You can also learn more here on how to learn Armenian with self-teaching methods!
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With all due respect, Mesrop Mashtots didn’t invent the Armenian language, but the Armenian alphabet. The Armenian language goes back a few millennia. As one of the few ancient languages still in use, it is at least 5 thousand years old.