In this episode, I dive into the complex world of classifying modern Iranian languages. Understanding the distinction between languages and dialects isn't as straightforward as it seems. Traditionally, linguists use structural similarities and functional criteria to differentiate them, but real-life distinctions often involve factors like ethnic identity, language prestige, standardization, and geographical context. For example, while Persian is seen as the parent language, it shares close ties with varieties like Lori and Bandari, which are sometimes grouped together as 'Persian dialects'. The classification of languages in Iran is further complicated by varying lists of languages, ranging from official documents that list a handful to scholars who identify dozens or even up to 80 distinct languages. This discrepancy highlights the challenge of creating a single, definitive list. To address these challenges, I introduce a new, multi-dimensional approach to language classification. Traditional two-dimensional models, like the tree and wave models, have their limitations. The tree model, dating back to the 19th century, traces historical divergence from common ancestors, while the wave model accounts for language contact and shared innovations. Although the wave model offers a more nuanced view, it still struggles with the complexity of languages like those in Iran. Since 2015, teams of linguists and designers have been developing a 3D 'Multi-Dimensional Language Relation Web' to better visualize these complexities. This model uses a force-directed graph to display languages as nodes with detailed information and illustrates various types of connections, including genealogical inheritance, structural similarity through contact, and ethnic association. This approach aims to provide a clearer, more interactive overview of the intricate relationships between Iran’s languages. In the next episode, I’ll explore modern Iranian languages, and in particular Persian | *Farsi*

External Links:

• For Historical Glottometry check here
• For NeighborNet check here
• For Classification of Iran's Languages check here
• For Langauage Tree Diagrams, check here

Iranian Languages and Dialects, Part III: Middle Persian

Before you listen to this episode, I encourage you to check my previous episodes on Iranian languages and Dialects, particularly the one on Old Persian, which serve as prerequisites for this part. Middle Iranian refers to various now-extinct Iranian languages spoken from about the 4th century B.C.E. to after the Islamic conquest. These languages include Middle Persian (Pahlavi), Parthian, Bactrian, Chorasmian, Sogdian, and Khotanese. Middle Persian, known from inscriptions and Manichean texts from the 3rd century C.E., evolved from Old Persian. It was written in scripts derived from Aramaic and Syriac alphabets. The main Middle Persian religious texts are the Dēnkard and the Bundahišn. The Dēnkard discusses theological issues, wisdom texts, and the life of Zarathustra. The Bundahišn focuses on Zoroastrian cosmology. Other notable texts include the Dādestān ī Mēnōy ī Xrad, Dādestān ī Dēnīg, Nāmagīhā ī Manuščihr, and the Ardā Wirāz-nāmag. In the upcoming episodes, we will explore Iranian languages further, starting with Persian, also known as Parsi | Farsi.