The Western Iranian languages or Western Iranic languages are a branch of the Iranian languages, attested from the time of Old Persian (6th century BC) and Median.
| Western Iranian | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | Southwest Asia, Central Asia, Caucasus, and western South Asia |
| Linguistic classification | Indo-European
|
| Subdivisions |
|
| Language codes | |
| Glottolog | nort3177 (Northwestern Iranian)sout3157 (Southwestern Iranian) |
Languages
The traditional Northwestern branch is a convention for non-Southwestern languages, rather than a genetic group. The languages are as follows:[1][2][3]
Old Iranian period
- Northwest: Median†, etc.
- Southwest: Old Persian†, etc.
Middle Iranian period
- Northwest: Parthian†, etc.
- Southwest: Middle Persian†, etc
Modern period (Neo-Iranian)
- Northwestern Iranian
- Caspian
- Gorgani†
- Daylami†
- Gilaki (incl. Rudbari)
- Mazandarani (incl. Tabari, Shahmirzadi)
- Semnani
- Adharic (Azaric)
- Old Adhari†
- Tatic
- Talysh (north-central)
- Gozarkhani (Alamuti)
- North: Harzandi, Karingani (Kalasuri, Khoynarudi)
- Kho'ini
- South
- Alviri-Vidari (Alviri, Vidari)
- Ashtiani (Amora’i, Kahaki, Tafreshi), Vafsi
- Razajerdi, Eshtehardi, Takestani (Ramandi, Kharaqani)
- Central
- Khalkhalic: Kajali, Koresh-e Rostam (Karani), Shahrudi (incl. southern Talysh)
- Maraghei
- Upper Taromi, Kabatei
- Tatic
- Old Adhari†
- Kurdic (acc. Anonby)[4][5]
- Kurdish
- Northern Kurdish (Kurmanji)
- Central Kurdish (Sorani)
- Southern Kurdish
- Laki
- Kurdali
- Zaza–Gorani
- Kurdish
- Balochi (incl. Koroshi)
- Khuri (Kavir)
- Caspian
- Central Plateau[6]
- Sivandi
- Judeo-Hamadani, Judeo-Borujerdi
- NW = Khunsari (Judeo-Khunsari, Judeo-Khomeini, Vanishani, Mahallati, Vanishani, Judeo-Golpaygani, etc.)
- NE = Kashanic: Soi (incl. Abuzaydabadi), Natanzi
- SW = Gazi (many dialects)
- Southeastern: Zoroastrian Dari (Zoroastrian Yazdi, Judeo-Kermani), Nayini
- Southwestern Iranian
- Persian (dialects: Iranian Persian & Judeo-Persian, Dari (incl. Madaglashti), Tajik & Judeo-Bukharic, Hazaragi, Aimaq, Sistani, Pahlavani Persian†)
- Persid
- Bashkardi (Southern Bashkardi)
- Garmsiri (Northern Bashkardi, Bandari, Minabi/Minowi–Hormozi: Hormozgan)[7]
- Kumzari
- Achomi (Larestani)
- Caucasian Tat (SW Tat): Tat, Judeo-Tat
- Fars (numerous SW Fars dialects: Heshnizi, Gavbandi, Dashtini, Kangani, Jami, Bardesuni (Bardestani), Khenesiri, Bordekhuni, Dashtiyati (Dashti), Tangesiri (incl. Delvari), Khormuji, Khayizi, Ahrami, Bushehri, Bandar Rig (Fars of Bandar Rig), Genaveyi, Deylami (Liravi)†, Dashtesuni (Dashtestani), Judeo-Shirazi, etc.)
There is also a recently described, and as yet unclassified, Batu'i language that is presumably Western Iranian.[1] Extinct Deilami is sometimes classified in the Caspian branch. An Iranian Khalaj language has been claimed, but does not exist; the Khalaj speak a Turkic language.
Many of the languages and dialects spoken in Markazi and Isfahan provinces are giving way to Persian in the younger generations.[6]
It is to note that the Caspian languages (incl. Adharic), the central dialects, and the Zaza-Gorani languages are likely descended from a later form of Median with varying amounts of Parthian substrata,[8] whereas the Semnani languages were likely descended from Parthian.[9]
See also
References
Bibliography
Further reading
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