AskaciUnderstanding Western Armenian when you learn Eastern
Askaci’s lessons follow Eastern Armenian. If your family speaks Western Armenian, you don’t have to start over: here is what really changes, and how to bridge the gap.
The two forms of modern Armenian share the same alphabet and much of their vocabulary. What surprises you first is the ear: the same letters are not always said the same way. Here the audio is Eastern, and the Western form is shown next to it, so you can recognize what your family says.
What stays the same
- The alphabet: the same letters. Start with the Armenian alphabet: you will be able to read both.
- The core grammar and a large share of everyday words.
- Overall understanding: speakers understand each other, but not at the first word (see our guide Eastern vs Western Armenian).
What changes to the ear: the consonants
Ten letters swap their sound. This is the rule the app applies when it writes the Western pronunciation.
| Letter | Eastern | Western |
|---|---|---|
| բ | b | p |
| պ | p | b |
| գ | g | k |
| կ | k | g |
| դ | d | t |
| տ | t | d |
| ձ | dz | ts |
| ծ | ts | dz |
| ջ | j | ch |
| ճ | ch | j |
Same word, different spelling
Western Armenian keeps the classical spelling. The Western forms below are the ones from our guides; the audio is the app’s, in Eastern.
- Բարև Barev HelloWestern : Բարեւ (Parev)
- Բարի երեկո Bari yereko Good eveningWestern : Բարի իրիկուն (pari irigoun)
- Շնորհակալություն Shnorhakalutyun Thank youWestern : Շնորհակալութիւն (Shnorhagalutiun)
- Ցտեսություն Tstesutyun GoodbyeWestern : Ցտեսութիւն (Tsdesutiun)
- Լավ եմ Lav em I'm fineWestern : Լաւ եմ (Lav em)
- Ինչպե՞ս ես Inchpes es? How are you?Western : Ինչպէ՞ս ես (intchbes es)
- Ես էլ Yes el Me tooWestern : Ես ալ (yes al)
- Ես քեզ սիրում եմ Yes kez sirum em I love youIn Western Armenian, the little word gue (կը) marks the present tense.Western : Քեզ կը սիրեմ (kez gue sirem)
- Ապրես Apres Well done / thanks.Western : Ապրիս (abris)
Same spelling, different pronunciation
For these words the spelling doesn’t change: only the pronunciation follows the consonant table. The Western pronunciation is the one given by the app’s rule, not a recording.
- տատիկ tatik GrandmaWestern : տատիկ (dadig)
- պապիկ papik GrandpaWestern : պապիկ (babig)
- դու du you (singular, informal)Western : դու (tu)
- գիրք girk bookWestern : գիրք (kirk)
- ջուր jur waterWestern : ջուր (chur)
What does Askaci do for Western Armenian?
- The lessons and their audio follow Eastern Armenian.
- Ani, the AI tutor, adapts to your community (Lebanon, Syria, France, the United States, Istanbul, or Armenia, Iran, Russia): conversations, translations and pronunciation, with classical spelling for Western Armenian.
- The forms on this page are the ones from our guides. Does your family say it differently? Variants exist: write to us at [email protected].
Your small task
- Listen to Բարև (barev), then say it with a “p” like in your family: parev.
- Do the same with տատիկ: “tatik”, then “dadig”.
- Next time your family talks, spot a word where a “b” sounds like “p”, or a “d” like “t”.
Frequently asked questions
If I learn Eastern Armenian, will I understand my grandmother who speaks Western Armenian?
A good part, usually: same alphabet, much shared vocabulary. Sounds and a few words differ. First spot the consonants that swap (b and p, g and k, d and t).
What is the pronunciation difference between Eastern and Western Armenian?
Ten consonants swap their sound: for example “barev” (Eastern) becomes “parev” (Western), and “tatik” becomes “dadig”.
Does Askaci teach Western Armenian?
The lessons and their audio are in Eastern Armenian. Ani can practice Western Armenian with you, depending on the community you choose in the app.