Information about Iranian Languages

This article deals with the language family. For languages spoken on the territory of Iran, see Languages of Iran.

Iranian
Geographic distribution:	Southwest Asia and Central Asia
Genetic classification:	}}
Subdivisions:	Western Iranian Eastern Iranian
ISO 639-2:	ira
Geographic distribution of the modern Iranian languages: Persian (green), Pashto (purple), Balochi (yellow), and Kurdish (turquoise), as well as smaller communities of other Iranian languages (User-created map)

The Iranian languages are a branch of the Indo-European language family. With the Indo-Aryan languages they form the Indo-Iranian languages group. Avestan and Old Persian are the oldest recorded Iranian languages.

Today, there are an estimated 150-200 million native speakers of Iranian languages.^[1] The 2005 SIL enumerates 87 varieties of Iranian languages, per number of native speakers, the greatest are Persian (ca. 70 million), Pashto (ca. 40 million), Kurdish (25 million) and Balochi (ca. 7 million); to compare these numbers against those for other languages, see list of languages by number of native speakers.

Name

The 'Iranian' languages branch is so named because its principal member languages, including Persian, have been spoken in the area of the Iranian plateau since ancient times, however, as a linguistic classification, 'Iranian' implies no relation with the country of Iran, for which see Languages of Iran.

Early Iranian languages

The Indo-Iranian languages probably originated in Central Asia. The Andronovo culture is the suggested candidate for the common Indo-Iranian culture ca. 2000 BC.

Together with the other Indo-Iranian languages, the Iranian languages are descended from a common ancestor, Proto-Indo-Iranian. This language split up into:

• Indo-Aryan languages, including Sanskrit, attested from the 2nd millennium BC
• Dardic languages
• Nuristani languages
• Iranian languages, including Avestan (dated to roughly 1000 BC) and Old Persian (attested from roughly 500 BC).

Proto-Iranian thus dates to some time after Proto-Indo-Iranian breakup, or the early second millennium BC, as the Old Iranian languages began to break off and evolve separately as the various Iranian tribes migrated and settled in vast areas of southeastern Europe, the Iranian plateau, and Central Asia.

Linguistically, the Old Iranian languages are divided into two major families and sub classes:

• The eastern group
• The western group
• The southwestern group
• The northwestern group

The eastern group includes the Sogdian, Khwarezmian, Saka, and Avestan, (also known as Old Bactrian). The northwestern branch includes the Median and Kurdish. The southwestern group includes Persian.

Avestan is mainly attested through the Avesta, a collection of sacred texts connected to the Zoroastrian religion. Old Persian is attested through inscriptions in the Old Persian cuneiform script.

The Middle Iranian languages

What is known in Iranian linguistic history as the "Middle Iranian" era is thought to begin around the 4th century BCE lasting through the 9th century. Again, geographically, one can classify these into two main families, Western and Eastern.

The former family includes the languages of Parthian (Arsacid Pahlavi) and Middle Persian, while Bactrian, Sogdian, Khwarezmian, Saka, and Old Ossetic (Scytho-Sarmatian) fall under the latter category. The two languages of the western group were linguistically very close to each other, but quite distinct from their eastern counterparts. On the other hand, the Eastern group retained more proximity to Old Iranian. They were inscribed in various Aramaic alphabets, which had evolved from the Achaemenid Imperial Aramaic.

Middle Persian (Pahlavi), was the official language of the Sassanids. It was in usage from the 3rd century until the top of the 10th century. Pahlavi was also the language of the Manichaeans, whose texts survive albeit in limited numbers. The Imperial Aramaic script used in this era experienced significant maturation.

Iranian languages after the Arab conquest of Persia

Following the Islamic Conquest of Iran, there were important changes in the role of the different dialects of Persian within the Persian empire. The old prestige form of Middle Persian, also known as Pahlavi, was replaced by a new standard dialect called Dari as the official language of the court. The name Dari comes from the word darbar (دربار), which refers to the royal court, where many of the poets, protagonists, and patrons of the literature flourished (See Persian literature). The Saffarid dynasty in particular was the first in a line of many dynasties to officially adopt the new language in 875CE. Dari is believed to have been heavily influenced by regional dialects of eastern Iran, whereas the earlier Pahlavi standard was based more on western dialects. This new prestige dialect became the ancestor of modern Standard Persian. Medieval Iranian scholars such as Abdullah Ibn al-Muqaffa (8th century) and Ibn al-Nadim (10th century) associated the term "Dari" with the eastern province of Khorasan, while they used the term "Pahlavi" to describe the dialects of the northwestern areas between Isfahan and Azerbaijan (see Ancient Azari language), and "Parsi" ("Persian" proper) to describe the dialects of Fars. They also noted that the unofficial language of the royalty itself was yet another dialect, "Khuzi", associated with the western province of Khuzestan.

The Islamic conquest also brought with it the adoption of Arabic script for writing Persian. It was adapted to the writing of Persian by the addition of a few letters. This development probably occurred some time during the second half of the 8th century, when the old middle Persian script began dwindling in usage. The aforementioned script remains the in use in contemporary modern Persian. Tajik script was first Latinised in the 1920s under the then Soviet nationality policy. The script was however subsequently Cyrillicized in the 1930s under plans by USSR's government in Central Asia.

The geographical area in which Iranian languages were spoken was pushed back in several areas by new neighbouring languages. Arabic spread into some parts of Western Iran (Khuzestan), and Turkic languages spread through much of Central Asia, displacing various Iranian languages such as Sogdian and Bactrian in parts of what is today Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. They also displaced the Persian language spoken in Azerbaijan.

Classification of the Iranian languages

Main article: List of Iranian languages

Iranian languages are divided into Eastern and Western subfamilies, totalling about 84 languages (SIL estimate). Of the most widely-spoken Iranian languages, Kurdish, Persian, and Balochi are all Western Iranian languages, while Pashto is an Eastern Iranian language.

Comparison table of the Iranian languages

English	Zazaki	Kurdish	Pashto	Balochi	Mazandarani	Persian	Middle Persian	Parthian	Old Persian	Avestan
beautiful	rind	rind/delal/cwan	shysta, khkulay	sharr, soher	ṣəmxl/ Xəş-nəm	zib/ xuš-chehreh	hučihr, hužihr	hužihr	naiba	vahu-, srra
blood	goni	xwn	wina	hon	xun	xūn	xōn	xōn		vohuni
bread	nan	nan	dodəy, roṭəy (from Indic)	nn, nagan	nn	nn	nn	nn
bring	rdena	ann/hnan	rāwṛ?	vardan	biyrden	vardan	wurdan, āwāy-, āwar-, bar-	āwāy-, āwar-, bar-	bara-	bara, bar-
brother	bir	bira	wrore	barādar	birr	barādar	brād, brdar	brād, brādar	brtar	brtar-
come	amaena	hatin	rāsa	hag, madan	Biyamona, enen	madan	madan, awar	awar, čām	y-, gam	gam-
cry	bermayish	girn	zhāṛə, jāṛ?	taukh	bərmə/ q	geristan	griy-, bram-
dark	tr	tar	thārika, tiār?	thr	siyo	trk	trīg/k	trīg, trēn		smahe, sma
daughter	kena	ke/kj/kenşk/dot	lūr	mind	kij/ dether	doxtar	duxtar	duxt, duxtar		duxδar
day	roc	roj	wraż, wraz	roshe	rez/ reoj	rz	rōz		raucah-
do	kerdena	kirin/kirdin	kaw?	khandagh	hkerden	kardan	kardan	kartan	kạrta-	kәrәta-
door	ber	derge/der	durwaza	gelo	bəli	dar	dar	dar, bar	duvara-	dvara-
die	merdena	mirin	mṛə, məṛedəl	mireg	mərnen	murdan	murdan		mạriya-	mar-
donkey	her	ker	xar	her	xar	xar	xar
egg	hak	hk	aggəy, haggəy	heyg	merqna	toxm	toxmag, xyag	taoxmag, xyag		taoxma-
earth	rd (Arabic)	herd/erd (Arabic)	mzəka, zməka	zemin	zemi	zamin	zamīg	zamīg	zam-	zm, zam, zem
evening	shund	var/ware	māṣhām, mākhām	māṣhām, mākhām	nəmşun	begh	sarshab	brag
eye	chım	av	stərga	ch.hem, chem	bəj, əs	chashm	chašm	chašm	čaša-	čašman-
father	pi	bav/bawk	plār	pyt, abb	piyer	pedar	pidar	pid	pitar	pitar
fear	ters	tirs	bera, wera	terseg	təşəpas	tars	tars	tars	tạrsa-	tares-
fianc	washte	dezgran, destgirt	numzād	nām zād	xasgar	nm-zad	-	-
fine	wesh	xweş/bas	ṣha, kha	hosh		xosh	drmag			srra
finger	gisht	til/qamik	gūṭa, gwəṭa	lenkwk, mordneg	angoos	angošt	angust			dišti-
fire	dır	agir	ore	ch, s	tesh	taš, zar	dur, taxsh	ādur
tre-/asma-
fish	mse	mas	māhī, kab	mhi	masi	mhi	mhig	msyg		masy, masya
food / eat	werdena	xwarin	xork, khwāṛa	warag, vereg	/ xəynen	xork / xordan	parwarz / xwr, xwardīg	parwarz / xwr		hareθra / ad-, at-
go	shiyaena	n	ża, za	jwzzegh	shunen / burden	raftan	raftan, shudan	ay-	ai-	ay-, fra-vaz
god	hom	xwed	khudie	hwd	homa, xəda	khod	bay, abragar		baga-	baya-
good	hol	baş, ak	ṣha, kha	jawin, šarr	xr	xub / nuu	xūb, nkog		vahu-	vohu, vaŋhu-
grass	vash	giya, riwek, şnkat	wāsha, wākha	rem		sabzeh, giyh	giy	dlūg		urvar
great	gırd / pil	gir, mezin, gewre	dair sha, stər	mastar	gat, belang, pila	bozorg	wuzurg, pīl		vazạrka-	uta-, avat
hand	dest	dest/lep	lāss	dast	dess	dast	dast	dast	dasta-	zasta-
head	ser	ser	sar	saghar	kal?	sar, kalleh	sar
heart	zerri	dil	zṛ?	dil, hatyr	dil	del	dil	dil		aηhu
horse	estoar	hesp	āss	asp	istar	asp, astar	asp, stōr	asp, stōr	aspa	aspa-
house	ke(ye)	mal	core	log	səre	xneh	xnag			demna-, nmna-
hunger	vyshan	birt/birsiyet	lwaẓha, lwaga	shudhagh	veyshna	gorosnegi	gursag, shuy
language	ziwan / zun	ziman	zhəba, jəba	zevn	ziwn	zabn	zuwn	izβn	hazna-	hizv-
laugh	huyaena	kenn	khanda	khendegh, hendeg		xandidan	xandīdan		karta	Syaoθnvareza-
life	jewiyaena	jiyan/jn	zhwund, zwund, jwund	zendegih		zendegi	zīndagīh, zīwišnīh	žīwahr, žīw-		gam, gaya-
man	merd	mr/piyaw	saṛay	merd	merd	mard	mard	mard	martiya-	mašm, mašya
moon	ashm	heyv/mang	spozməy, spogməy	mh	mithra	mh	māh	māh	mh-	mŋha-
mother	mae	dayik	more	mt, ms	mr	mdar	mādar	mādar	mtar	mtar-
mouth	fek	dev/dem	khula	daf		dahn	dahn, rumb			ŋhn, h, h
name	nme	nav	nume	num	num	nm	nm		nman	nman
night	shewe	şev	shipa	shaw, šap	sheow	shab	shab		xšap-	xšap-
open	rakerdena	vekirin	khalass	božagh	v-hekrden	bz-kardan	abz-kardan		būxtaka-	būxta-
peace	kotpy	aşt	rogha	rm		shti, rmeš, rm	štih, rmīšn	rm, rmīšn	šiyti-	rma-
pig	xoz	beraz	khoog	xug	xi	xūk	xūk			varza (wild pig)
place	ja	cih/şn	żāi, zāi	hend		jh/gh	gh	gh	gθu-	gtu-, gtav-
read	wendena	xwendin	lwastəl	wnagh	baxinden	xndan	xwndan
say	vatena	gotin/wutin	wāy?	gushagh	baotena	goftan, gap(-zadan)	guftan, gōw-, wxtan	gōw-	gaub-	mr-
sister	wae	xweşk	xore	gwhr	xxer	xhar/xwhar	xwahar
small	qıch	pik	kushnay	lekem	pətik, bechuk, perushk	kuchak, kam, xurd, rz	kam, rangas	kam	kamna-	kamna-
son	qıj	kur	zui	pisar, phusagh	pisser	pesar, pr, baa	pur, pusar	puhr	pua	pūθra-
soul		giyan	rūh (Arabic), sa	rūh (Arabic)		ravn	rūwn, gyn	rūwn, gyn		urvan-
spring	wusar	bihar	pusarlay		wehr	bahr	wahr		vhara-	θūravhara-
tall	berz	bilind/berz	jug	bwrz		boland / brez	buland, borz	bre		barez-
three	hire	s	dre	se	se	se	s	hre	i-	θri-
village	dew	gund, d	kəlai	helk	deh	deh, wis	wi	dahyu-	vs-, dahyu-
want	wastena	xwestin/wstin	ghwāṛ?	lotagh	bexanen	xstan	xwstan
water	awe	av	oba	f	ab	b/aw	b	b	pi	av-
when	key	keng	kəla	ked		kay	kay	ka		čim-
wind	va	ba	bād	gwth	w	bd	wd			vta-
wolf	verg	gur	shermush	gurkh	varg	gorg	gurg		varka-	vehrka
woman	jeniye	jin/afret	ṣhəża, khəza	jan	zhənya	zan	zan	žan		hīrīšī-, nirik-
year	serre	sal	kāl	sl		sl	sl		θard	re, sarәd
yes / no	ya / ne	er / na	wo / ya, āw / na	ere / na		h (re) / na	h / ney	h / ney	y / nay, m	y / noit, m
yesterday	vizr	duh/dwn	pərun	z	direz	diruz	dr

See also

• List of Iranian languages
• Iran
• Iranian peoples
• History of Iran
• Indo-Iranian Languages

Bibliography

Schmidt, Rüdiger (ed.) (1989). Compendium Linguarum Iranicarum. Wiesbaden: Reichert. ISBN 3-88226-413-6.  Sims-Williams, Nicholas (1996). "Iranian languages". Encyclopedia Iranica 7. Cosa Mesa: Mazda. 238-245.  Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.) (1996). "Iran". Encyclopedia Iranica 7. Cosa Mesa: Mazda.  Frye, Richard N. (1996). "Peoples of Iran". Encyclopedia Iranica 7. Cosa Mesa: Mazda.  Windfuhr, Gernot L. (1995). "Cases in Iranian languages and dialects". Encyclopedia Iranica 5. Cosa Mesa: Mazda.  Lazard, Gilbert (1996). "Dari". Encyclopedia Iranica 7. Cosa Mesa: Mazda.  Henning, Walter B. (1954). "The Ancient language of Azarbaijan". Transactions of the Philological Society.  Rezakhani, Khodadad (2001). The Iranian Language Family.

•  • [ e] Iranian languages
Old	Western: Median · Old Persian Eastern: Avestan† · Old Scythian · Old Sogdian
Middle	Western: Parthian† · Middle Persian Eastern: Bactrian† · Khwarezmian† · Ossetic · Parnian · Sacian · Saka · Scythian · Sogdian
Modern	Western: Alviri (Vidri) · Ashtiani · Old Azari† · Baluchi · Bashkardi · Central Iran · Persian Dari · Dari (Zoroastrian) · Gilaki · Gorani · Harzani · Judeo-Persian · Kurdish Kurmanji · Laki · Luri · Bakhtiari Lori · Mazandarani · Ormuri · Sangsari · Parachi · New Persian · Sorani (Kurdish) · Tajik · Taleshi · Tat · Tati · Vafsi · Zazaki Eastern: Bartangi · Hindukush Group · Ishkashmi · Karakoram Group · Khufi · Munji · Oroshori · New Ossetic · Parachi · Pashto · Roshani (Roshni) · Sanglechi · Sarikoli · Shughni · Wakhi · Vanji† · Waziri · Yaghnobi · Yidgha · Yazgulami · Zebaki
Legend: † Extinct language (no surviving native speakers and no spoken descendant)

•  • [ e] Iranian-speaking nations and autonomous entities

Afghanistan • China (Taxkorgan)1 • Georgia ( South Ossetia2) •  Iran • Iraq ( Kurdistan) • Russia ( North Ossetia-Alania) • Pakistan (North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan)•  Tajikistan •  Uzbekistan (1.3 million[2] to 11 million[3] Tajiks) (1) Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, officially recognised minority in the People's Republic of China. (2) South Ossetia is a self-proclaimed republic within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia. It is presently not recognized by any country.

•  • [ e] Countries with Iranian-speaking populations

Iranian languages: Balochi • Kurdish • Ossetic • Pashto • Persian • Talysh • Tat • Zazaki The geographical spread of Balochi: Afghanistan • Iran • Pakistan The geographical spread of Kurdish: Armenia • Azerbaijan • Australia • Georgia •Germany • Iran • Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan) • Kazakhstan• Syria • Sweden • Turkmenistan • Turkey • USA The geographical spread of Ossetic: Georgia •Hungary (Jassic people) • Iryston Russia (Thagat Irystony Alaniey Respublika) Georgia (Respublika Xussar Iryston) • Turkey The geographical spread of Pashto: Afghanistan • Pakistan The geographical spread of Persian: Afghanistan • Australia • Canada• Germany • Iran • New Zealand • Sweden • Tajikistan • USA The geographical spread of Talysh: Azerbaijan • Iran The geographical spread of Tat: Azerbaijan • Iran • Israel • Dagestan The geographical spread of Zazaki: • Germany • Sweden • Turkey • MORE INFORMATION: [1]