Numerous languages are spoken in Iran, yet all of them originate from the same linguistic roots.

Origins

The Iranian languages are a part of the Indo-European language family. The Iranian language group is part of a larger Indo-Iranian language subfamily and accounts for some of the oldest-recorded Indo-European languages. The Indo-Iranian languages originated around modern-day Afghanistan, and split into the Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Dardic, and Nuristani language groups as the speakers of Proto-Indo-Iranian moved west, east, and south. Proto-Indo-European Indo-European studies The Indo-European languages include some 443 (SIL estimate) languages and dialects spoken by about three billion people, including most of the major language families of Europe and western Asia, which belong to a single superfamily. ... Proto-Indo-European Indo-European studies Indo-Iranian languages (also called Aryan languages) are the eastern-most group of the living Indo-European languages. ...

Iranian Languages after the Arab Conquest of Persia

Ibn al-Nadim, in his book Al-fehrest (“الفهرست”), mentions that all the Median and Persian lands of antiquity (including what is today known as Azerbaijan) spoke one language. In the book, which is the most accredited account of spoken languages of Iran during the early Islamic era, he quotes the great scholar Abdullah Ibn al-Muqaffa: Ibn al-Nadim (Abu al-Faraj Muhammad ibn Ishaq ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq),(died September 17, 995 or 998) was the author of the Kitab al-Fihrist, was a a Arab Shiite scholar and bibliographer. ... Abdullah Ibn Dhadawayh, also known as Ibn al-Muqaffa (d. ...

"The Iranian languages are Fahlavi (Pahlavi), Dari, Khuzi, Farsi (Persian), and Seryani. But Fahlavi comes from the word Fahleh. And Fahleh is a name that refers to five regions: Isfahan, Ray, Hamedan, Mah-Nahavand, and Azerbaijan."

He then adds that Dari is the official language of the royal courts and the language of Khorasan and Balkh and eastern Iran; Parsi is the language of the Moobeds of Fars; Khuzi is the unofficial language of the royalty and comes from Khuzestan; and Seryani originates in Mesopotamia. Pahlavi is a term that refers: (1) to a script used in Iran derived from the Aramaic script, and (2) more broadly, to Middle Persian, the Middle Iranian language written in this script. ... The term Dari derives from Fârsi-e Darbâri which means Persian of the (royal) courts. It developed at the royal courts of the Samanids (980 AD) in Central Asia and became the major language of Persia. ... Persian (فارسی), (local name in Iran and Afghanistan: Fârsi), Pârsi (older local name, but still used by some speakers), Tajik (a Central Asian dialect) or Dari (Another local name in Afghanistan), is a language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Bahrain and Uzbekistan. ... Isfahan or Esfahan can refer to either a city or a province in Iran: Isfahan (city) Isfahan (province) Isfahan (rugs) Ispahan a kind of rose and an older pronounciation of the citys name. ... Ray, also spelled Rayy or Rages (ری in Persian) is the most historic city in the province of Tehran, Iran. ... This page is about city of Hamedan. ... Khorasan (also spelled Khurasan and Khorassan; خراسان in Persian) is an area, located in eastern and northeastern Iran. ... Balkh is now a small town in the Province of Balkh, Afghanistan, about 20 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital. ... External links Official website of Fars Governorship Categories: Iran geography stubs | Provinces of Iran ... External links Official website of Khuzestan Governorship Categories: Iran geography stubs | Provinces of Iran ... Mesopotamia ( Greek: Μεσοποταμία, translated from Old Persian Miyanrudan the Land between the Rivers or the Aramaic name Beth-Nahrin two rivers) is a region of Southwest Asia. ...

This has also been verified and reported by such respected medieval historians as Tabari, Ibn Hawqal, Istakhri, Moqaddasi, Yaghubi, Masudi, and Mostowfi Qazvini. Al-Khwarizmi mentions it in chapter 6, vol. 6, of his book Mafatih al-‘Ulum (مفاتيح العلوم). Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari (AD 838-AD 923), Iranian historian and theologian, was born in Amol, Tabaristan (south of the Caspian), and studied in Ray (Rages) , Baghdad, and in Syria and Egypt. ... Abd al-Hasan Ali ibn al-Husayn Masudi (d. ... Tomb of Hamdollah Mostowfi, Qazvin, Iran. ... Soviet postage stamp commemorating the 1200th anniversary of Muhammad al‑Khwarizmi in 1983. ...

Iranian languages and the question of Azeri

Etymological studies verify that current dialects spoken from Baku to Khalkhal to Semnan all originated from a common source. In other words, the people of Azerbaijan spoke the same language spoken by the Medes. (See UCLA's distinguished professor Ehsan Yarshater's report in: Majaleh-ye Dâneshkadeh-ye Adabiyât, “مجله دانشكده ادبيات”, year 5, No. 1-2, p 35–37.) Baku (or Bakı [Baky]) pronounced ba-KEY, Баку or Bakı in Azeri, باکو (Baku) in Persian) is the capital of Azerbaijan. ... Semnan may refer to: Semnan province Semnan (city) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. ... The University of California, Los Angeles, popularly known as UCLA, is a public, coeducational university situated in the neighborhood of Westwood within the city of Los Angeles. ... Ehsan Yarshater, of Columbia University, is one of the worlds leading Iranologists. ...

Researcher Ahmad Kasravi Tabrizi also mentions that the medieval historian Yaqut al-Hamawi used the phrase Al-Ajam ol-Azariyah ("The Azeri Iranian") in his books Mo'ajjem ol-Odabaa and Mo'jem ol Baladaan. In other sources such as Surat al-Ard (صورة الأرض) by Ibn Hawqal, Ahsan al-Taqasim by Moqaddasi, and Al-Masalik wa al-Mamalik by Istakhri, the people of Azerbaijan are recorded to be speaking Iranian languages. Obviously, this was of before the Turkic cultural arrival. And Tabari in 235 A.H. also mentions that poets in Maragheh recited Pahlavi poetry. Some Azerbaijani poets however, such as Qatran Tabrizi (d465 A.H.), used the word "Persian" and "Pahlavi" interchangeably to describe their native language. Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Yaqut (Yaqut ibn-Abdullah al-Hamawi) (1179 - 1229) was an Arab biographer and geographer. ... Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari (AD 838-AD 923), Iranian historian and theologian, was born in Amol, Tabaristan (south of the Caspian), and studied in Ray (Rages) , Baghdad, and in Syria and Egypt. ... Maragheh or Maraghah is a town in the province of Azerbaijan in Iran, on the Safi River. ...

The historian Hamdollah Mostowfi even goes as far as describing variants of "Pahlavi" spoken in different areas of Azerbaijan (then part of Greater Persia). In his book Tarikh Gozideh, he describes eight poets from Azerbaijan, calling them "Ahl-ol She'r Men-al-Ajam" (Iranian poets), all Persian by tongue. By now, of course, Dari and Pahlavi had merged into one, as successive dynasties moved from east to west. Tomb of Hamdollah Mostowfi, Qazvin, Iran. ...

Suffice it to say that the number of records and documents from Azerbaijan in the Pahlavi language are so numerous that it has left no doubt that this was indeed the native tongue of Azerbaijan before the arrival of the Turks. Many words in the current Azeri vocabulary in fact are of Pahlavi origin. (See studies in Nashriyeh Adabiyaat of Tabriz University, by Dr. Mahyar Navabi, year 5 and 6. Also see Farhang e Kamaleddin Teflisi, Ajayeb ol-Makhluqat by Najibeddin Hamadani, and also the books: Majmal-ol-Tavarikh, Al-qasas, Iskandar-Nameh e Qadeem, and others for lists of words.) External links Official website of University of Tabriz List of chancellors of University of tabriz Categories: University stubs | Iranian universities ...

It is agreed that the current Turkic form of the Azeri language supplanted and replaced Pahlavi in Azerbaijan before the Safavid dynasty, perhaps starting with the arrival of Seljukian Turks, and during a gradual course. But some historians report Pahlavi being spoken in Tabriz as late as the 17th century. (See Rowdhat ul-Jinan by Hafez Hosein Tabrizi [d997 A.H.], and Risaleh ye Anarjani written in 985 AH). Even the Ottoman Turkish explorer Evliya Çelebi (1611–1682) mentions this in his Seyahatname. He also reports that the elite and learned people of Nakhichevan and Maragheh spoke Pahlavi, during his tours of the region. The Safavids were a long-lasting Turkic-speaking Iranian dynasty that ruled from 1501 to 1736 and first established Shiite Islam as Persias official religion. ... Tabriz City Hall, built in 1895, by Arfaol molk, with the aid of German engineers. ... Evliya Celebi (also known as Dervis Mehmed Zilli) was one of the most famous Ottoman travelers, who traveled throughout the territories of the Ottoman Empire and the neighbouring lands over a period of 40 years. ... Flag of Azerbaijan, currently the only official flag of the exclave Unofficial flag of Nakhichevan, used in the 1990s Map of Azerbaijan, showing Nakhichevan to the bottom-left Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (Azerbaijani: Naxçıvan Muxtar Respublikası) is an exclave of Azerbaijan. ... Maragheh or Maraghah is a town in the province of Azerbaijan in Iran, on the Safi River. ...

Classification of the Iranian Languages

I. Eastern Iranian

A. Northeastern

1. Avestan*
2. Chorasmian* (Khwarezmian)
3. Bactrian*
4. Sogdian* (dialects: Christian, Buddhist, Manichaean), Yaghnobi
5. Scythian*, Sarmatian*, Alanian*, Ossetian (dialects: Iron, Digor)

B. Southeastern

1. Munji, Sanglechi, Ishkashimi, Zebaki, Sarikoli, Shughni, Rushani, Yazgulyam, Wakhi, Yidgha
2. Saka* (dialects: Khotanese and Tumshuqese), Pashto, Waneci

II. Western Iranian Yasna 28. ... Chorasmian, also known as Khwarezmian or Khwarazmian, is the name of an extinct northeastern Iranian language closely related to Sogdian. ... Chorasmian, also known as Khwarezmian or Khwarazmian, is the name of an extinct northeastern Iranian language closely related to Sogdian. ... Proto-Indo-European Indo-European studies The Bactrian language is an extinct language which was spoken in the Central Asian region of Bactria, also called Tocharistan, in northern Afghanistan. ... The Sogdian language is a Middle Iranian language spoken in Sogdiana (Zarafshan River Valley) in the modern day republics of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan (cheif cities: Samarkand, Panjikent, Ferghana). ... Yaghnobi language - one of two living Northeastern Iranian languages, spoken in high valley of the Yaghnob river in Zarafshan area of Tajikistan, considered to be direct descendant of Sogdian by many linguists. ... Scythian and Sarmatian are the names of the East Iranian dialects spoken by the Scythian/Sarmatian tribes of cattlebreeders in Southern Russia between 8th century BC and 5th century AD. The two branches are divided mainly chronologically, rather than geographically: Scythian - archaic version; mainly during classic antiquity Sarmatian Sometimes, the... Sarmatian Cataphract Sarmatians, Sarmatae or Sauromatae (the second form is mostly used by the earlier Greek writers, the other by the later Greeks and the Romans) were a people whom Herodotus (4. ... The Alans or Alani were an Iranian nomadic group among the Sarmatian people, warlike nomadic pastoralists of mixed backgrounds, who spoke an Iranian language and shared, in a broad sense, a common culture. ... Ossetic or Ossetian is an Iranian language spoken on the slopes of the Caucasus mountains on the borders of Russia and Georgia. ... The Wakhi Tajiki language is an Iranian language in the subbranch of Southeastern Iranian languages (see Pamir languages). ... The Sakas or Saka race was a group of people who lived in present day Uzbekistan around 2000 BC. The Sakas followed other Aryans into present day Iran, and returned to their original area in Central Asia. ... Pashto (پښتو; also known as Afghan, Pushto, Pashto, Pashtoe, Pashtu, and Pukhto) is the language spoken by the ethnic Afghan otherwise known as the Pashtun people who inhabit Afghanistan and the Western provinces of Pakistan. ...

A. Northwestern

1. Ormuri, Parachi
2. Dari (spoken by Zoroastrians in Yazd), Kermani (spoken by Zoroastrians), Qohrudi, Abuzeidabadi, Abyanei, Tari, Ardestani, Anaraki, Varzenei, Badrudi, Gazi, Vafsi, Khunsari, Natanzi, Nayini, Sivandi, Soi, Ashtiani, Farizandi, Yarani, Mahallati, Khuri, Kohrudi, Judeo-Golpaygani, Judeo-Yazdi, Judeo-Kermani, Judeo-Shirazi, Judeo-Esfahani, Judeo-Hamedani, Judeo-Kashani, Judeo-Borujerdi, Judeo-Nehevandi, Judeo-Khunsari
3. Kurdish (Dialects: Kurdi, Kurmanji, Kermanshahi)
4. Zaza-Gorani (dialects: Gorani, Bajelan, Kirmanjki (Northern Zaza), Dimli (Southern Zaza)
5. Parthian*, Semnani, Sangisari
6. Median*
7. Gilaki, Mazanderani, Shahmirzadi
8. Balochi
9. Talysh, Harzani
10. Tatic dialects

B. Southwestern (Persid languages)

1. Old Persian*, Middle Persian*, also called Pahlavi (dialects: Manichaean Pahlavi), Persian (dialects: Dari, Tajik, Hazaragi, Dzhidi (Judeo-Persian), Judeo-Bukharic
2. Judeo-Tat, Muslim Tat
3. Fars, Lari (Larestani), Bashkardi
4. Luri, Bakhtiari, Feyli, Kumzari

III. Unclassified Dari is the language of the Zoroastrians of Iran. ... Zoroastrianism was adapted from an earlier, polytheistic faith by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) in Persia very roughly around 1000 BC (although, in the absence of written records, some scholars estimates are as late as 600 BC). ... Zoroastrianism was adapted from an earlier, polytheistic faith by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) in Persia very roughly around 1000 BC (although, in the absence of written records, some scholars estimates are as late as 600 BC). ... Vafsi is an Iranian language spoken in the Vafs village and surrounding area in the Markazi province of Iran. ... Geographic distribution The Kurdish languages or Kurdish dialects are spoken in the region loosely called Kurdistan including Kurdish populations in parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey. ... Kurmanji (Kurdish: kurmancî or kirmancî) is the major Kurdish dialect spoken in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, the ex-Soviet states and by Kurds living in Central Asia. ... The area of the north-western dialects of Iranian was largely overrun by Turkish, subsequently known as Azeri or Azerbaijani, introduced in the eleventh century. ... The Zaza are an ethnic minority in eastern Turkey. ... Zazaki (Zazakî, Zazaish) or Dimli is a language closely related to the Persian and Kurdish languages, spoken by the Zaza in eastern Anatolia (Turkey), an ethnic minority related to the Iranians and Kurds. ... The Zaza are an ethnic minority in eastern Turkey. ... Reproduction of a Parthian warrior as depicted on Trajans Column The Parthian Empire was the dominating force on the Iranian plateau beginning in the late 3rd century BCE, and intermittently controlled Mesopotamia between ca 190 BCE and 224 CE. Origins Bust of Parthian soldier, Esgh-abad Museum, Turkmenia. ... Gilaki or Guilaki (گیلکی) is one of the North-western Iranian languages spoken in Irans Gilan province. ... Mazanderani (also spelled Mazandarani; in Persian: مازندرانی) is one of the Iranian languages spoken in north-western province of Iran, Mazandaran. ... Balochi, a north-western Iranian language, is the principal language of Balochistan. ... Talysh also Talishi, Taleshi or Talyshi is one of the Northwestern Iranian languages. ... Harzani (correct form: harzandi) is a modern Northwestern Iranian language spoken in the north of the Iranian province of East Azarbaijan, around the village of Harzand. ... The Iranian languages are a part of the Indo European language family. ... Sketch of the first column of the Behistun Inscription Old Persian is the oldest attested Persid language. ... Pahlavi is a term that refers: (1) to a script used in Iran derived from the Aramaic script, and (2) more broadly, to Middle Persian, the Middle Iranian language written in this script. ... Pahlavi is a term that refers: (1) to a script used in Iran derived from the Aramaic script, and (2) more broadly, to Middle Persian, the Middle Iranian language written in this script. ... Persian (فارسی), (local name in Iran and Afghanistan: Fârsi), Pârsi (older local name, but still used by some speakers), Tajik (a Central Asian dialect) or Dari (Another local name in Afghanistan), is a language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Bahrain and Uzbekistan. ... The term Dari derives from Fârsi-e Darbâri which means Persian of the (royal) courts. It developed at the royal courts of the Samanids (980 AD) in Central Asia and became the major language of Persia. ... Tajik or Tadjik (natively Тоҷикӣ, Tojikí, تاجیکی) is a descendant of the Persian language spoken in Central Asia. ... Hazaragi is a dialect of the Persian language, with a significant deviation from it to be on the borderline of being a separate language. ... Judeo-Persian was a language spoken by the Jews living in Persia. ... Judeo-Persian was a language spoken by the Jews living in Persia. ... Mountain Jews, or Juhurim, are Jews of the eastern Caucasus, mainly of Dagestan. ... A Persid language (one of the Southwestern Iranian languages) very close to Persian, which is spoken by natives of the eastern Caucasus. ... External links Official website of Fars Governorship Categories: Iran geography stubs | Provinces of Iran ... Bashkardi or Bashagerdi is a Persid i. ... Luri is a dialect of Persian language. ... The Bakhtiari (or Bakhtiyari) are a people in southern Iran. ... Feyli (aslo Fayli or Faili) is one of the Persid languages, very close to Persian and Luri. ... Kumzari is an Iranian language spoken by the members of the Shihuh tribe in the Kumzar coast of Musandam Peninsula, northern Oman. ...

1. Tangshewi

(* indicates extinct languages)

See also

• List of Iranian languages

The Iranian languages include some 84 (SIL estimate) languages and dialects spoken by about many people in Asia; this language family is a part of the Indo-Iranian language family. ...

External link

• Iranian languages (http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=946)
• Iranian Language Family (http://www.iranologie.com/history/ilf.html)
• Kasravi's research on Azari language (http://www.azargoshnasp.net/~iran/languages/Azari/26.pdf) (in Persian)