Coptic language, an Afro-Asiatic language that was spoken in Egypt from about the 2nd century ce and that represents the final stage of the ancient Egyptian language. Coptic also replaced the religious terms and expressions of earlier Egyptian with words borrowed from Greek.Coptic language, an Afro-Asiatic language that was spoken in Egypt from about the 2nd century ce and that represents the final stage of the ancient Egyptian language. Coptic also replaced the religious terms and expressions of earlier Egyptian with words borrowed from Greek.

Is Coptic still spoken?

CAIRO – 8 August 2017: It is fair to say that the Ancient Egyptian language is still used nowadays. The Coptic language is the final stage of the ancient Egyptian language, but it is written in the Greek alphabet, except for seven letters.

Is Coptic an extinct language?

Coptic, a language of Egyptian origin, associated with the Coptic Orthodox Church (Takla 2014), is among the languages that are classified as severely endangered, dormant, or even extinct (Eberhard et al. 2019).

Is Coptic the same as Arabic?

Although many now identify as Arabs, Copts do not historically believe themselves to be of Arab origin, but are instead acknowledged as the remaining descendants of the civilisation of the Ancient Egyptians, with Pharaonic origins. The word Coptic is derived from the ancient Greek word for Egyptian.

What language is Coptic closest to?

Coptic is the closest descendant to the spoken language of the ancient Egyptians. Combining the Greek alphabet with Demotic, Coptic is a unique conglomeration of languages.