Kaddish is written in the lingua franca of the rabbinic period (when we lived under the Greeks and Romans); presumably so that every person would understand the prayer. Today most Jews don't understand Aramaic (or Yiddish/Ladino/Amharic/Arabic or German) the linguae franca of our most recent historical periods) and the cadence of Kaddish has taken on the quality of a mantra.

Its rhythmic, repetitive quality holds a deep, sacred comforting place in the life-cycle practices of our people. There are many types of Kaddishes - Kaddish Shalem (whole kaddish), Hatzi Kaddish (abbreviated kaddish), Yaddish Yatom (Mourner's Kaddish) and Kaddish D'rabbanan (Scholar's Kaddish) are the most well know. A rendition of the meaning I find in the words is listed below the Aramaic transliteration.