Chaldean

Chaldean (Chaldean Neo-Aramaic) is a Semitic language spoken by the Chaldean Catholic community, primarily from Iraq's Nineveh Plains and surrounding regions. Closely related to Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, Chaldean is part of the broader Neo-Aramaic language family, making it a modern descendant of one of the ancient Near East's most historically significant languages.

In Australia, Chaldean speakers number approximately 15,000 according to the 2021 Census. The Chaldean-Australian community has grown through humanitarian migration from Iraq, particularly following the Iraq wars, sectarian violence, and the devastation wrought by ISIS on Christian communities in northern Iraq. The community is concentrated in Sydney (particularly Fairfield and surrounding suburbs) and Melbourne.

Chaldean is written in the Syriac script (Eastern form), reading right-to-left. The script shares its origins with Assyrian but the Chaldean community's distinct Catholic identity and cultural traditions differentiate it from the Assyrian community. In practice, some Chaldean Australians also use Arabic or Latin transliteration for informal communication.

The Chaldean-Australian community is defined by its Catholic Christian identity, with the Chaldean Catholic Church serving as the primary community institution. Cultural traditions, religious observances, and community gatherings are organised around the church. The community maintains strong connections to their Mesopotamian heritage and the ongoing plight of Christians in Iraq.

For organisations, Chaldean serves a significant Iraqi Christian community. Healthcare, settlement services, aged care, and community engagement programs benefit from Chaldean-language provision, particularly for older community members and recent humanitarian arrivals.