The Armenian Language
NOTE: This section is a special PREVIEW
multi-media language guide. To hear the pronunciation of the
letter, sound or word, click on the Transliterated Text as indicated
below.
Armenian is a complex and beautiful language. Except for a transition
into middle Armenian during the 10th-12th
centuries and into a modern form in the 19th century,
it has been continuously used for more than 1500 years as it was
first created, borrowing traces of words and expressions from
Hindu, Persian, Arabic, Greek and Latin along the way. In its
current form in the Republic, it uses a lively and vibrant incorporation
of words from Russian, French, English and other countries. It
is a language alive.
Armenian has its own unique alphabet, devised between 401-406
c.e. by Mesrop Mashtots (361-440 c.e.) under the patronage of
King Vramshapuh and Catolicos Sahak Partev. Until that time, most
written versions of Armenian were in Greek. During the turbulent
years of the 4th century c.e., the new alphabet was
treated as a divine gift from God, a weapon of intellect over
the dark forces of fanaticism. The first sentence written in Armenian
was "To know wisdom and gain instruction; to discern the words
of understanding…" Armenians were quick to use the new alphabet,
translating Greek, Roman, Persian, Arabic, Egyptian, even Chinese
treatises into Armenian. The Matenadaran in Yerevan contains more
than 25,000 manuscripts dating to the 5th century.
Many of these are Armenian translations of philosophical, scientific,
historical and religious writings going back as far as the Hellenistic
Greece. Some are the only existing versions of the originals.
It has been said that no more important tool was given to Armenians
then their alphabet, for it has preserved their identity during
invasions, and allowed them to avoid assimilation. If Russian
was the international tongue of the Soviet Union, then Armenian
is the International tongue that binds almost 9 million Armenians
around the world.
The language can give tongue fits to an English-speaking tourist,
as it contains several sounds for which there are no English equivalents.
There is more than one pronunciation of the consonants ‘p’ ‘k’
and ‘t’, for example, and it take a refined ear to discern the
differences. Armenians usually place the subject of their sentence
in front of the verb or action, so that the sentence, "I want
coffee," is said in Armenian grammar, "I coffee want" (There is
a subtle respect for the object of the sentence implied in this
grammar. For example, in Armenian "I love you" is expressed, "I
YOU love," placing the amorous object before the action). Armenians
also use the double negative, so that "Nobody wants it," comes
out ‘Nobody not wants it.’ In English the double negative would
create a positive statement. Not in Armenian.
And so the rules (and exceptions) continue. But do not despair.
The rules are not that difficult to learn, and for the tourist
it is not necessary to learn a complete vocabulary and grammar
in order to communicate. There are a few key words and phrases
which--like all languages-- once learned, open the world before
you. So do not let the new sounds and rules stop you from learning
some of the phrases contained in this guide or attempting to speak
Armenian. Armenians love any attempt to speak their language,
and it is a sure ice-breaker in an uncertain moment, winning admirers
and instant friends.
Note: MS IE 4.0+ users,
to see the Armenian letters, you need to have
ARIAL
ARMENIAN font installedin your font directory
(START>SETTINGS>CONTROL PANEL>FONTS>FILE>"install
new font"). ALso, you must select "User Defined"
in the View>Encoding> menu. for ech page--such be Microsoft.
The Armenian Alphabet
Originally there were 36 letters in the Armenian
alphabet. Three letters were added in the 10th-12th
cc, for a total of 39 letters.
Mashtots’ alphabet begins with the Armenian letter 
for the sound "ah" and ends with the letter 
for the sound "Q". This was no accident: The letter
("a") stands for Astvatz ("Ast-VAHTZ," God) and the letter
("k") stands for Kristos ("Kris-TOS," Christ).Coincidentally,
all Indo-European languages begin with the sound "ah".
This chart shows the alphabet, a transliterated sound (Latin
letter equivalent), and common pronunciations. Pronunciations
of vowels are closer to the British long sounds than the flat
American dialect.
The
Alphabet >
Counting
The original 36 letters of the alphabet were arranged in 4 rows
of 9 letters. Before Armenia adopted the Arabic numeral system,
each letter represented a number. The first row of letters were
(in sequence) for the numbers 1-9, the second row for 10’s-90’s,
the third row 100’s-900’s, and the fourth for 1000’s-9,000.
Hence the letters 
in old Armenian
represent 1996. You will find this number system inscribed on
old monuments in Armenia, as well as on a few modern ones (the
Matenadaran for example).
Note about years: When speaking a year, Armenians will
say ‘one thousand nine hundred ninety six year’. They do not shorten
it as we do, i.e. ‘nineteen ninety six’.
Note: MS IE 4.0+ users,
to see the Armenian letters, you need to have
ARIAL
AM font installedin your font directory (START>SETTINGS>CONTROL
PANEL>FONTS>FILE>"install new font"). ALso,
you must select "User Defined" in the View>Encoding>
menu. for ech page--such be Microsoft.
TOP
