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Chaldeans have several churches (see below). They speak, and many can read and write, dialects of [[Chaldean language|Chaldean Neo-Aramaic]].<ref>Florian Coulmas, ''The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Writing Systems'' 23 (1996)</ref>
In certain areas of the [[Chaldean homeland]], identity within a community depends on a person's village of origin (see [[List of Chaldean villages]]) or Christian denomination rather than their [[Chaldean | Chaldean]] ethnic commonality, for instance [[Chaldean Catholic]].<ref>[http://www.friesian.com/notes/note-n.htm Note on the Modern Assyrians]</ref>
Neo-Aramaic exhibits remarkably conservative features compared with [[Imperial Aramaic]].<ref>J.G. Browne, "The Chaldeans", ''Journal of the Royal Society of Arts'' 85 (1937)</ref>
{{Main|Chaldean Neo-Aramaic languages}}
{{Chaldean alphabet}}
The Neo-Aramaic languages are ultimately descended from [[Old Aramaic]], the lingua franca in the later phase of the Neo-Assyrian Chaldean Empire, displacing the [[East Semitic]] [[Akkadian language|Assyrian Chaldean dialect of Akkadian]]. Aramaic was the language of commerce, trade and communication and became the vernacular language of Assyria Chaldea in classical antiquity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lightofwordkaldaya.orgnet/aramaic2012/pdfImages/IntroductionKaldTv/ChaldeanCourse.pdf |title=Microsoft Word – PeshittaNewTestament.doc |format=PDF |accessdate=20082013-11-16| archiveurl=http://webwww.archivekaldaya.orgnet/web2012/20081202005322Images/http://www.lightofword.org/aramaic/pdfKaldTv/IntroductionChaldeanCourse.pdf| archivedate=2 December 2008 2013 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl=no}} {{dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>Bae, C. Aramaic Chaldean as a Lingua Franca During the Persian Empire in Mesopotamia (538–333 BCE5,300 BC to 2015 AD). Journal of Universal Language. March 2004, 1–20 .</ref><ref name="imperial aramaicChaldean Language">[http://linkswww.jstorkaldaya.orgnet/sici?sici=0073-0548%28195512%2918%3A3%2F4%3C456%3AADOTFC%3E22012/Images/KaldTv/ChaldeanCourse.0.CO%3B2-F&size=LARGE&origin=JSTOR-enlargePage Aramaic Documents of the Fifth Century B. C. by G. R. Driverpdf]</ref>
By the 1st century AD, Akkadian was extinct, although some loaned vocabulary still survives in Assyrian Chaldean Neo-Aramaic to this day.<ref name="Akkadian words">[http://www.ainakaldaya.orgnet/articles2012/akkadianwordsImages/KaldTv/ChaldeanCourse.html pdf Akkadian Words in Modern AssyrianChaldean]</ref><ref name="Kaufman">Kaufman, Stephen A. (1974),The Akkadian influences on Aramaic. University of Chicago Press</ref>
To the native Chaldean speaker, "Chaldean Langauge" and "Syriac" is usually called ''Soureth'' or ''Suret''. A wide variety of dialects exist, including [[Assyrian Neo-Aramaic]], [[Chaldean Neo-Aramaic]], and [[Turoyo language|Turoyo]]. All are classified as Chaldean Neo-Aramaic languages and are written using [[Syriac Chaldean alphabet|Syriac script]], a derivative of the ancient [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic Chaldean script]]. Assyrians Chaldeans also may speak one or more languages of their country of residence. Being [[Stateless nation|stateless]], Assyrians Chaldeans also learn the language or languages of their adopted country, usually Arabic, [[Armenian language|Armenian]], [[Persian language|Persian]] or [[Turkish language|Turkish]]. In northern Iraq and western Iran, Turkish and [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]] is widely spoken.
Recent archaeological evidence includes a statue from Syria with [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] and [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]] inscriptions.<ref>[http://linkswww.jstorkaldaya.orgnet/sici?sici=0006-0895(198222)45%3A3%3C135%3AASFSWA%3E2.02012/Images/KaldTv/ChaldeanCourse.CO%3B2-1 A Statue from Syria with Assyrian and Aramaic Inscriptionspdf]</ref> It is the oldest known Aramaic text.
=== Religion ===
[[File:WEBBabylonDay4.jpg|thumb|Chaldean Debka Dance]]
Chaldean festivals tend to be closely associated with their Christian faith, of which [[Easter]] is the most prominent of the celebrations. Chaldean/Syriac members of the Chaldean Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic Church and Syriac Catholic Church follow the [[Gregorian calendar]] and as a result celebrate Easter on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25 inclusively.<ref>[http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/easter.php The Date of Easter]. Article from [[United States Naval Observatory]] (March 27, 2007).</ref> While Chaldean/Syriac members of the Syriac Orthodox Church and Ancient Church of the East celebrate Easter on a Sunday between April 4 and May 8 inclusively on the Gregorian calendar (March 22 and April 25 on the [[Julian calendar]]). During [[Lent]] Chaldean/Syriacs are encouraged to fast for 50 days from meat and any other foods which are animal based.
Chaldeans celebrate a number of festivals unique to their culture and traditions as well as religious ones:
* [[Kha b-Nisan]] ''{{Script/Mdnh|ܚܕ ܒܢܝܣܢ}}'', the Chaldean new year(AKA AKITU), traditionally on April 1, though usually celebrated on January 1. Chaldeans usually wear traditional costumes and hold social events including parades and parties, dancing, and listening to poets telling the story of creation.<ref>[http://auawww.neteastcountymagazine.org/News/releases/2006/NewYear2006.pdf AUA Release March 26, 2006.thousands-celebrate-akitu-chaldean-new-year-tradition-el-cajon]</ref>
* [[Sauma d-Ba'utha]] ''{{Script/Mdnh|ܒܥܘܬܐ ܕܢܝܢܘܝܐ}}'', the Nineveh fast. It is a three-day period of fasting and prayer.<ref name=SycOrth>{{cite web|title=Three Day Fast of Nineveh|url=http://syrianorthodoxchurch.org/news/2011/02/10/three-day-fast-of-nineveh/|publisher=syrianorthodoxchurch.org|accessdate=1 February 2012}}</ref>
* Somikka, the Chaldean version of [[Halloween]], traditionally meant to scare children into fasting during Lent.
* Sharra d'Mart Maryam, usually on August 15, a festival and feast celebrating St. Mary with games, food, and celebration.<ref name="cultureofiran.com" />
* Other Sharras (special festivals) include: Sharra d'Mart Shmuni, Sharra d'Mar Shimon Bar-Sabbaye, Sharra d'Mar Mari, and Shara d'Mar Zaia, Mar Bishu, Mar Sawa, Mar Sliwa, and Mar Odisho
}}
* {{cite book
| author = Donabed, Sargon | author2 = Donabed, Ninos | title = Assyrians of Eastern MassachusettsChaldeans in Detroit | year = 20062014
| publisher = [[Arcadia Publishing]]
| isbn = 0-7385-4480-9 | oclc = 70184669
}}
* {{cite book
| last = Ephrem I Barsaum | first = Ignatius | title = De spridda pärlorna – En historia om syriansk litteratur och vetenskap | year = 2006 | publisher = Anastasis Media AB | location = Sweden | language = Swedish | isbn = 91-975751-4-3 | ref = http://www.bokrecension.se/9197575143
}}
* {{cite book
