Iranian language - Definition and Overview

The Iranian languages are a part of the Indo European language family. The Iranian language group is part of the larger Indo-Iranian language subfamily and accounts for some of the oldest-recorded Indo-European languages. Indo-Iranian languages originated around modern 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.

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

A. Northwestern

1. Ormuri, Parachi
2. Dari (spoken by Zoroastrians), 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

1. Tangshewi

(* indicates extinct languages no longer spoken)

See also: List of Iranian languages

External link

• Iranian languages (http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=946)
• Iranian Language Family (http://www.iranologie.com/history/ilf.html)