be used for a historical present. Perhaps under influence from other languages, Middle Aramaic developed a system of composite tenses (combinations of forms of the verb with pronouns or an auxiliary verb), allowing for narrative that is more vivid. The syntax of Aramaic (the way sentences are put together) usually follows the order verb–subject–object (VSO). Imperial (Persian) Aramaic, however, tended to follow a S-O-V pattern (similar to Akkadian), which was the result of Persian syntactic influence. See also References Sources . External links Ancient Aramaic Audio Files: Contains audio recordings of scripture. The Aramaic Language and Its Classification – Efrem Yildiz, Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon (including editions of Targums) at the Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati Dictionary of Judeo-Aramaic Jewish Language Research Website: Jewish Aramaic Languages attested from the 10th century BC