I know a man who reads Aramaic and several who speak or write Latin. Dead language means that though written texts still exist , and people still study and learn the language, and scholars can translate written communication there is no culture left that uses the language for normal communication. That is the difference between dead and extinct languages. If you learn Latin to go to Rome or Aramaic to go to Jerusalem you will we very disappointed when you arrive.
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http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/the-10-coolest-dead-languages?s=mobile