Archive · 25 May 2025
Cyprus Works to Preserve Sanna, a Language on Brink
Imagine a special language, Sanna, spoken by only 900 people.
It's like a unique mix of Arabic spoken in Cyprus, tracing back to the language Jesus may have spoken.
Long ago, Arab Christians brought it from Syria.
But now, it's in danger.
The Maronite community, with help from Cyprus and the EU, is fighting to save it!
They're creating an alphabet, textbooks, and classes to help more people learn Sanna.
It's a race against time to keep this language alive.
Cypriot Maronite Arabic, or Sanna, is spoken by only 900 people worldwide.
The language is an offshoot of Syrian Arabic.
Kormakitis, Cyprus is the last bastion of the language.
The Maronite community in Cyprus is working to revive Sanna.
Revival efforts include an alphabet, textbooks and classes.
- Who
- The Maronite community in Cyprus, with support from the Cypriot government and the EU.
- What
- The Cypriot Maronite community is working to preserve and revitalize the Sanna language, a unique Arabic dialect.
- When
- Efforts to revitalize the language began around the turn of the millennium, with increased support since Cyprus' 2004 EU membership.
- Where
- Kormakitis, Cyprus.
- Why
- The Maronite community is working to preserve Sanna, a unique Arabic dialect.
Challenges
Efforts
None
Challenges
No opposing viewpoints identified in the articles.
Efforts
No opposing viewpoints identified in the articles.
- Language Name
- Cypriot Maronite Arabic (Sanna)
- Number of Speakers
- Approximately 900 worldwide
- Primary Location
- Kormakitis, Cyprus
- Language Origin
- Offshoot of Syrian Arabic
- Revival Efforts
- Alphabet, Textbooks, Classes
- Community Support
- Maronite community, Cypriot government, EU
