Description:
A user has raised that Songer's language labelling groups distinct languages under a single label, specifically "Aramaic," which they say isn't accurate as a language name.
Their point: the writing system (Phoenician-derived alphabet) doesn't determine the language. What gets labelled "Aramaic" is in practice several separate languages and dialects, including:
Assyrian (East and West variants)
Syriac (East, West, and Classical)
Hebrew (with distinct classical and modern forms)
They compare it to Arabic, where Egyptian, Iraqi, Lebanese, and Syrian varieties differ significantly but often get grouped under one label. They also note that some communities don't identify with the label being applied to their language.
What's being asked for:
More specific language options rather than broad umbrella labels
Dialect variants where they represent meaningfully different languages
Language naming that reflects what speakers themselves use