Languages of Palestine

The languages of Palestine are the languages spoken or once spoken in the territory of the State of Palestine.

Languages of Palestine
OfficialPalestinian Arabic (dialect), Arabic (for official administrations)
SignificantHebrew, Armenian, Domari language
ForeignEnglish, French
SignedPalestinian Sign Language

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 (mostly Palestinians) and in most Palestinian populations 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 settlements 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 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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