When and why did the spoken language of the Jewish people change from Hebrew to Aramaic?

Answer 1

In 586 BCE the Jewish elite were removed from Judah and taken to Babylon (the so-called Babylonian Captivity). The language of Babylon was Aramaic. The common people left behind in Judah switched from Hebrew to Aramaic. The elites learned Aramaic as a second language. When the elites returned after about 70 years, Hebrew was extinct as a first language in Judah, so they also adopted Aramaic as their first language in order to communicate with the common people.

EDIT: Except as a second language only, Hebrew went extinct after the Babylonian Exile. Children had to learn it as a second language, it ceased to be used as a native language by anyone. Just like Latin, people continued to use it as a second language for various reasons, but by the end of the first century AD, it was strictly a language of religion. When the State of Israel was established in 1948, it took a great effort to make Hebrew a native language again, that is, a language that children learned as their first language.

Answer 2

It switched, as stated, due to influences of the babylonian exile, but it never replaced Hebrew, even as a language of communication. In speech, it was more prevalent, but in writing, it complemented, not replaced Hebrew. Some people felt that Hebrew shoudl remain a sacred language og scholarship and prayer and this encouraged people to adopt Aramaic, but there were those who held on to Hebrew as a mode of normal discourse.

Answer 3

Aramaic occured while they were in captivity and exposed to teh influence of other languages.

Answer 4

the Jewish people don't speak aramaic they speak Hebrew , they didn't change it.

Answer 5

funny maybe to suit the language of the people they stole their land too aramic?!!! arabic thats ironic!!!