Roots of Naming: Assyrian, Syriac/Aramean, and Chaldean — A Conversation with Prof. Efrem Yildiz (Assyria TV, July 2025)

Roots of Naming- Assyrian, Syriac and Chaldean

In this Assyria TV interview, hosted by Joseph Pirayou Ashur, Prof. Efrem Yildiz (University of Salamanca) offers a concise “mini-lecture” on the historical and linguistic roots behind the labels Assyrian, Syriac/Aramean, and Chaldean. Drawing on ancient Near Eastern history, he outlines how imperial policies and administrative needs shaped language use—arguing that what became known as “imperial Aramaic” developed within the Assyrian state—and how later Greek and Roman nomenclature further blurred distinctions, fueling today’s identity confusions. Yildiz calls for a unified, evidence-based narrative led by trained Assyrian scholars, emphasizing the community’s responsibility to teach its own history, language, and literature. He also highlights current academic efforts—from regular public lectures to international congresses—aimed at strengthening modern Assyrian studies and cultivating the next generation of researchers and educators.

Watch the full 45-minute interview on Assyria TV to hear Prof. Efrem Yildiz walk through the historical and linguistic evidence step by step—from imperial administration and “Assyrian Aramaic” to Greek/Roman naming and today’s identity debates. If you care about clarity, continuity, and a scholar’s-eye view of our heritage, this concise session is well worth your time.