Where has Western Armenian been used?

Western Armenian, historically referred to as the "Armenian of Turkey," is a modern standard variety of the Armenian language that originated from the dialect spoken by the Armenian community in Istanbul.1

Following the massacres and forced exodus of the Armenian population in Turkey during the early 20th century, the use of Western Armenian shifted significantly toward the diaspora. Today, it is primarily used in the following contexts:2

• Turkey: It remains in use by the small minority of Armenians still residing in the country.12
• Middle East: It is spoken by Armenian communities in various Arab countries, including Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.12
• Global Diaspora: It is utilized by emigrant communities across Europe and the United States.12

While Western and Eastern Armenian share much of their vocabulary, they possess significant differences in grammar and pronunciation, leading some to consider them distinct languages.1