Iran
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Aimaq
[aiq] Mazanderan Province. 170,000 in Iran (Johnstone 1993). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Dialects: Teimuri (Teimurtash).
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian Comments: Barbari and Berberi are also applied to Hazara people in Mashad.
Alviri-Vidari
Arabic, Gulf Spoken
[afb] South coast and islands; Khamseh nomads in east Fars Province; other Arab nomadic groups in several south central provinces. 200,000 in Iran (1993). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Gulf Arabic, Khaliji Dialects: Al-Hasâ, Khamseh.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Mesopotamian Spoken
[acm] Khuzestan Province, southwest side of Zagros mountains, Shatt al Arab river bank. 1,200,000 in Iran. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Arabi, Mesopotamian Gelet Arabic Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic Comments: Muslim (Sunni), Muslim (Shi’a).
Armenian
[hye] North, Azerbaijan provinces, Khoi, Shahpur, Ahar, Tabriz, Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz areas. 171,000 in Iran (1993). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Armani, Armjanski, Erâmani, Ermenice, Haieren, Somekhuri Dialects: Agulis, Astrakhân, Eastern Armenian, Jolfâ (Dzhulfa), Karabagh Shamakhi, Khoi-Salmst (Khvoy), Urmia-Maragheh.
Classification: Indo-European, Armenian Comments: Christian.
Ashtiani
[atn] Markazi Province, Ashtiyan and Tafresh. 21,100 (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Ashtiyani, Astiani Dialects: Ashtiani, Tafresh. Transitional between central Iranian dialects and Talysh [tly]. Dialects may be separate languages. Very similar to Vafsi [vaf].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Comments: Muslim.
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
[aii] Most in Tehran; Reza’iyeh (Rizaiye, Urmia, Urmi). 15,000 in Iran (1994). Ethnic population: 80,000 (1994). Status: 6b (Threatened). Dialects: Iranian Koine (General Urmi).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern Comments: Religious separation of Assyrian from Chaldean happened in the 16th century. Christian (Nestorian).
Avestan
[ave] No remaining speakers. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Avesta, Pazend Dialects: Old Avestan (Gathic), Younger Avestan.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian
Azerbaijani
Azerbaijani, South
[azb] East and West Azerbaijan provinces, Ardebil, Zanjan, and part of Markazi provinces; Tehran districts; Fars Province and scattered. Also in Azerbaijan, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, United States. 15,500,000 in Iran (2010). Population total all countries: 16,913,280. Ethnic population: 18,700,000. Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Torki Dialects: Afshari (Afsar, Afshar), Aynallu (Inallu, Inanlu), Baharlu (Kamesh), Bayat, Karapapakh, Moqaddam, Nafar, Pishagchi, Qajar, Qaragozlu, Shahsavani (Shahseven), Tabriz.
Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani Comments: Muslim (Shi’a).
Bakhtiâri
[bqi] Southwest, west Chahar-Mahal va Bakhtiâri, east Khuzestan, east Lorestan, and west Isfahan provinces. Masjed-e Soleiman, Shahr-e Kord, Dorud. 1,000,000 (2001). 350,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,000,000 (2001). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Lori, Lori-ye Khaveri Dialects: Aligudarz, Chelgerd/Kuhrang, Haftgel, Ize, Masjed-e Soleiman, Shahr-e Kord. Bakhtiâri is on a continuum of related varieties between Northern Luri [lrc] and Southern Luri [luz]. Farsi dialects in Chaharmahâl va Bakhtiâri Province are mutually intelligible with Bakhtiâri. Lexical similarity: 75% with Southern Luri (Mamasani), 86% with Southern Luri (Boyerahmadi), 73% with Northern Luri (rural), 78% with Northern Luri (Khorramabadi), 76% with Iranian Persian [pes].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Luri Comments: Little contact with Southern Luri [luz], some contact with Northern Luri [lrc]. Muslim (Shi’a).
Balochi, Southern
[bcc] Baluchistan Province, South Sistan; west Hormozgan Province coastal areas; Fars Province, scattered communities. 405,000 in Iran. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Baloci, Baluchi, Baluci Dialects: Koroshi, Makrani (Lotuni).
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi Comments: Muslim (Sunni).
Balochi, Western
[bgn] North Sistan and Baluchistan Province. Half in cities and villages, half nomadic. 451,000 in Iran (1986). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Baloci, Baluchi, Baluci Dialects: Rakhshani (Raxshani), Sarawani.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi Comments: Distinct from Eastern Balochi [bgp] and Southern Balochi [bcc]. Ethnic group: Yarahmadza. Muslim (Shi’a), Muslim (Sunni).
Bashkardi
[bsg] East Hormozgan, South Kerman, possibly southwest Sistan va Baluchistan provinces. 7,030 (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Bashaka Dialects: Northern Bashaka, Southern Bashaka.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi Comments: Muslim.
Brahui
[brh] Central Sistan and Baluchistan provinces, including Zahedan. 20,000 in Iran (2007), increasing. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Barahui, Birahui, Brahudi, Kur Galli Dialects: Jharawan (Jhalawan), Kalat, Sarawan.
Classification: Dravidian, Northern Comments: Muslim.
Dari, Zoroastrian
[gbz] Yazd and Kerman areas. 8,000 (1999). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: “Gabar” (pej.), “Gabri” (pej.), “Yazdi” (pej.) Dialects: Related to Parsi-Dari [prd] and Nâyini [nyq].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Comments: Different from Dari dialect of Eastern Farsi [prs] of Afghanistan, though both names refer to Darius, the ancient Persian Emperor (‘dar’ is Classical Persian for court). Many Zoroastrians speak Parsi-Dari and do not know Zoroastrian Dari [gbz]. Zoroastrian.
Dezfuli
[def] Dezful and Shushtar, north Khuzestan Province. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dizfuli Dialects: Dezfuli, Shushtari.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Unclassified Comments: Muslim.
Domari
[rmt] Kurbat and Luti in west; Mehtar and Ghorbat in Fars and Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad Province; Karachi in north. Also in Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Palestine, Russian Federation, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Uzbekistan. 1,340,000 in Iran (2000). Population total all countries: 3,952,810. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Gypsy, Luti, Mehtar, Middle Eastern Romani, Tsigene Dialects: Karachi, Koli, Kurbati (Ghorbati), Luli, Maznoug, Nawar, Qinati, Yürük. Dialects in Iran may be highly divergent from one another. Not intelligible to Romani speakers.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Dom Comments: Influenced by Arabic, as well as languages of host ethnic groups with which any Domari group is associated. Muslim.
Dzhidi
[jpr] Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Djudi, Judeo-Persian, Judi Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian Comments: Jewish.
Eshtehardi
Fars, Northwestern
Fars, Southwestern
[fay] Central Fars Province: Somghun, Papun, Masarm, Buringun, Kondazi, Davani, and others. 100,000 (2012). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: “Tajik” (pej.) Dialects: Related to Iranian Persian [prs] or [pes] and Lari [lrl].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Fars Comments: Distinct from Iranian Persian [prs] or [pes]. Muslim.
Gazi
[gzi] Gaz. 7,030 (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Comments: Muslim.
Georgian
[kat] Fereydan and Fereydunshahr provinces, Isfahan, Najaf Abad, Shahin Shahr, Yazdanshahr. 60,000 in Iran. Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Gruzin, Kartuli Dialects: Fereydan (Ferejdan).
Classification: Kartvelian, Georgian Comments: Muslim.
Gilaki
[glk] Gilan region, coastal plain, south of Talish. Galeshi is a mountain dialect. 3,270,000 (1993), decreasing. 2,000 Galeshi. Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Gelaki, Gilani, Guilaki, Guilani Dialects: Bandar Anzali, Fumani, Galeshi, Lahijani, Langerudi, Rashti, Rudbari, Rudsari, Some’e Sarai. Similar to Mâzanderâni [mzn].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Caspian Comments: Heavy influence from Farsi. Muslim (Shi’a), Christian.
Gozarkhani
Harzani
[hrz] East Azerbaijan Province, between Marand and Jolfa, northwest of Tabriz; related varieties in Galin Qaya, Babra, and Dizmar. 28,100 (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Dialects: Similar to Karingani [kgn] and Talysh [tly].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh Comments: Muslim.
Hawrami
[hac] West Kurdestan Province, near Iraq border, Hewraman, east of Sanandaj, north of Kermanshah. 200,000 in Iran (Paul 2007). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Awromani, Gorani, Gurani, Hawramani, Hewrami, Howrami Dialects: Gawhara, Gurani (Gorani), Hawraman i Luhon, Hawraman i Taxt, Kakai (Macho), Kandula.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Zaza-Gorani Comments: Muslim, Ahl-e Haqq.
Hazaragi
[haz] Widespread, especially urban centers. 283,000 in Iran (1993). Population increased significantly due to influx of Hazaragi-speaking refugees from Afghanistan. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Hazara, Hezareh, Hezare’i Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian Comments: Ethnic group names are (Central) Dai Kundi, Dai Zangi, Behsud, Yekaulang, (Southern) Polada, Urusgani, Jaguri, Ghazni Hazaras, Dai Miradad. Muslim (Imami Shi’a), Muslim (Ismaili), Muslim (Sunni).
Jadgali
Kabatei
Kajali
Karingani
[kgn] East Azerbaijan Province, Dizmar district, Keringan village; Hasanu district, northeast of Tabriz. 17,600 (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Keringani Dialects: Various dialects. Very similar to Harzani [hrz].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh Comments: Muslim.
Kashkay
[qxq] Southwest, Fars and South Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad provinces. Shiraz, Gachsaran, and Firuzabad are centers. 1,500,000 (1997). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kashkai, Qashqa’i, Qashqay Dialects: Similar to Azerbaijani [azb].
Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern Comments: Nomadic. Muslim (Shi’a).
Kazakh
[kaz] Mazanderan Province, Gorgan city. 3,000 in Iran (1982). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Gazaqi, Kazak, Kazakhi Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian Comments: Muslim.
Khalaj
Khalaj, Turkic
[klj] Central Province, northeast of Arak. 42,100 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Khalaj Dialects: Not a dialect of Azerbaijani [azb], as previously supposed. Distinct from other extant Turkish languages (Doerfer et al 1971). Different from Indo-Iranian Khalaj [kjf].
Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern Comments: Muslim.
Kho’ini
[xkc] Zanjan Province, Kho’in district. Status: 7 (Shifting). Dialects: Various dialects. Related to Kabatei [xkp] and Takestani [tks]. Closely related varieties spoken in nearby villages of Balbavin, Sefidkamar, Halab, and Sa’dabad.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh Comments: Muslim.
Khorasani Turkish
[kmz] Northeast, north Khorasan Province, northwest of Mashhad. West dialect in Bojnurd area; north in Quchan aera (probably largest), south in Soltanabad area near Sabzevar. 400,000 (1977 G. Doerfer). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Quchani Dialects: North Quchani (Northeast Quchani), South Quchani, West Quchani (Northwest Quchani). Midway linguistically between Azerbaijani and Turkmen [tuk], but not a dialect of either. The Oghuz-Uzbek dialect of Uzbek, Northern [uzn] in Uzbekistan is reportedly a dialect. Different from Khorasani, a local Persian dialect in Khorasan.
Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Turkish Comments: Muslim.
Khunsari
[kfm] Isfahan Province, Kashan and Isfahan areas. 21,100 (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Dialects: May be one of a large complex of dialects in Esfahan Province. Other Northwestern closely related dialects include Vonishun, Qohrud, Keshe, Zefre, Sedeh, Gaz, Kafran, Mahallat, So, Mejme, and Djaushaqan. Distinct from Kumzari [zum] of Oman.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Comments: Muslim.
Koresh-e Rostam
Koroshi
[ktl] Fars Province. 180. 40–50 families. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi Comments: Appears to be Baluchi with some features of Farsi. They work for the Qashqa’i people.
Kumzari
[zum] Hormozgan Province, Larak island. 600 in Iran (Anonby and Yousefian 2011). Status: 8a (Moribund). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Luri
Kurdish, Central
[ckb] Northwest, primarily Kurdestan and west Azerbaijani provinces, areas north of Kermanshah. Mukri dialect: Mahabad area; Sineyi (Sine’i) dialect: Sanandaj (Sine) area. 3,250,000 in Iran. Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto provincial working language in northwest. Alternate Names: Kordi, Korkora, Kurdi, Kurdy, Mokri, Mukri, Sine’i, Sorani, Wawa Dialects: Mukri (Kordi, Mokri), Pijdari, Sanandaji (Sina’i, Sine’i, Sineyi), Southern Jafi.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish Comments: 90% in cities or villages, 10% nomadic. Kordi may also refer to Northern Kurdish varieties (such as in Khorasan Province), and Southern Kurdish [sdh] varieties, such as Kermanshahi [sdh]. Muslim (Sunni).
Kurdish, Northern
[kmr] North and west of Lake Urmia. Some in Kalardast region, Mazandaran Province. Northern Kurdish variety of Khorasani Kurmanji is east of the Caspian Sea, in north Khorassan Province, Quchan and Bojnurd towns. 350,000 in Iran (Stanzer 1988). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Eastern Kurmanji, Kordi, Kurdi, Kurmancî, Kurmanji Dialects: Khorassani Kurmanji, Northern Kurdish (Kurmanji).
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish Comments: Muslim (Sunni), Muslim (Shi’a), Yezidi.
Kurdish, Southern
[sdh] West, Kermanshah and Ilam provinces; Eastern Iraq border provinces, including Xanaqin. Also in Iraq. 3,000,000 in Iran (Fattah 2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Dialects: Bayray, Feyli, Garrusi (Bijari), Kalhori, Kermanshahi (Kermanshani), Kolyai, Kordali, Luri, Malekshahi (Maleksh ay), Sanjabi.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish Comments: Muslim (Shi’a).
Laki
[lki] Ilam Province, western Lorestan, Aleshtar, Kuhdasht, Nurabad-e Dolfan, and Khorramabad. 1,000,000 (Fattah 2000). 150,000 monolinguals. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Alaki, Leki Dialects: Lexical similarity: 70% with Iranian Persian [pes], 78% with Luristani (Khorramabadi), 69% with Northern Luri [lrc] (central rural dialects).
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish Comments: Muslim (Shi’a), Ahl-e Haqq.
Lari
[lrl] South Fars Province, Lar district; Shiraz; some in United Arab Emirates. 80,000, increasing. Ethnic population: 100,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Larestani Dialects: Lari. Verbal system distinct from Iranian Persian [pes].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Fars Comments: Muslim (Sunni), Muslim (Shi’a).
Lasgerdi
Luri, Northern
[lrc] West: central and south Lorestan, north Khuzestan, and south Hamadan provinces, southern edge of Markazi Province, some regions of Ilam Province; Khorramabad, Borujerd, and Andimeshk; possibly eastern Iraq. 1,500,000 (2001). Ethnic population: 1,700,000 (2001). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Lori, Luristani Dialects: Andimeshki, Bala-Gariva’i, Borujerdi, Cagani, Khorramabadi, Mahali (Rural), Nahavandi. Major Northern Luri dialects (Khorramabadi, Borujerdi) are found in Lorestan and Khuzestan. Some areas in Ilam Province (Posht-e Kuh) reportedly speak Northern Luri dialects. A few villages in Iraq, using a dialect of Northern Luri (Fattah 2000). Similar to Kumzari [zum]. Lexical similarity: Mahali dialect: 80% with Iranian Persian [pes], 69% with Laki [lki], and 73% with Bakhtiâri [bqi] (Haflang); Khorramabadi dialect: 85% with Iranian Persian [pes], 78% with Laki [lkh], and 75% with Bakhtiâri [bqi] (Haflang). Similarity to Iranian Persian [pes] is due to lexical borrowing and language shift.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Luri Comments: Ethnic groups: Pish-e Kuh, some parts of Posht-e Kuh. Muslim (Shi’a).
Luri, Southern
[luz] Kohgiluyeh va Boyerahmad Province. Boyerahmadi dialect: Yasuji. Kohgiluyeh dialect: east Khuzestan Province, Dehdasht; northwest Fars Province. Mamasani dialect: Nurabad. Shuli dialect: Shul, Shiraz. 875,000 (1999), increasing. 300,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 900,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Lor, Lori, Lori-ye Jonubi, Lur Dialects: Boyerahmadi, Kohgiluyeh, Mamasani, Shuli, Yasuji (Yasichi). Southern Luri is on a continuum between Bakhtiari [bqi] and Iranian Persian [pes] dialects such as Bushehri and Southwestern Fars [fay]. A non-Lur tribe in Fars Province called Kurdshuli reportedly speaks a Southern Luri dialect. Their winter quarters are at Qasr-e Dasht near Sivand, 70 km from Sharaz on Shiraz-Esfahan road. Similar to Kumzari [zum]. Lexical similarity: 75% with Iranian Persian [pes], 80% with Bushehri dialect of Iranian Persian; Mamasani dialect 75% with Bakhtiâri [bqi], Boyerahmadi dialect 86% with Bakhtiâri.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Luri Comments: Muslim (Shi’a).
Mandaic
[mid] Khuzestan, Hoveiseh, other towns. 500 in Iran (2001). Ethnic population: 23,000. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Mandaean, Mandi, Mandini, Modern Mandaic, Neo-Mandaic, Sabean, Sabe’in, Subbi Dialects: Ahwaz (Ahvaz), Iraqi Neo-Mandaic, Shushtar (Shustar).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Mandaic Comments: Ethnic Mandaeans in Iraq now speak Arabic (1994 H. Mutzafi). Assyrians in the United States report Mandaic speakers there, whom they call Yokhananaye. Mandaean.
Mandaic, Classical
[myz] Also used liturgically in Iraq (Basrah) and small communities in the United States (New York) and Australia (300 Mandaeans in Sydney in 1995). No remaining speakers. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Classical Mandaean Dialects: Appears to be the direct ancestor of Modern Mandaic [mid].
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Mandaic
Maraghei
Mazanderani
[mzn] North near Caspian Sea, south half of Mazanderan Province. 3,270,000 (1993), decreasing. Some monolinguals in rural areas. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Gilaki, Mazandarani, Tabri Dialects: Gorgani, Mazanderani. Related to Gilaki [glk]. Qadikolahi (Ghadikolahi) and Paliyan [pcf] may be dialects.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Caspian Comments: Muslim (Shi’a).
Natanzi
[ntz] Isfahan Province, Natanz, on Isfahan-Kashan road. 7,030 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Dialects: Farizandi, Natanzi, Yarani (Yarandi).
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Comments: Muslim.
Nayini
[nyq] Isfahan Province, Nayin and Anarak, east of Isfahan; Khuri dialect in Khur (Khvor) and Mehrjan, northeast of Isfahan. 7,030 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Biyabanak Dialects: Anarak, Khuri, Nayini. Dialects listed may be separate languages. Khuri distinct from other dialects. Related to Zoroastrian Dari [gbz].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Comments: Muslim.
Parsi-Dari
[prd] 350,000 (1999). Most are monolingual. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Parsee, Parsee-Dari, Parsi Dialects: Reportedly not inherently intelligible with Parsi [prp] of India, Pakistan, and other countries, but linguistically and ethnically related. They diverged 600 to 700 years ago or more. Related to Dari [gbz].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Comments: ‘Parsee’ is ethnic group name. Zoroastrian.
Pashto, Southern
[pbt] Khorasan on Afghanistan border east of Qa’en. 113,000 in Iran (1993). Population does not include refugees. Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: “Afghani” (pej.), Paktu, Pashtu Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto Comments: Different from Northern Pashto [pbu] of Pakistan and India. Muslim (Sunni).
Persian
Persian Sign Language
[psc] Status: 6a (Vigorous). Classification: Deaf sign language
Persian, Iranian
[pes] Widespread. Most concentrated in central, south central, and northeast. Also in Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Israel, Netherlands, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan. 45,000,000 in Iran (2011), increasing. 800,000 Eastern Farsi in Khorasan speak dialects which are transitional with Iranian Persian. Population total all countries: 47,045,100. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1979, Constitution, Article 15). Alternate Names: New Persian, Parsi, Persian, West Persian Dialects: Abadani, Araki, Bandari, Basseri, Esfahani, Kashani, Kermani, Ketabi, Mahalhamadani, Mashadi (Meshed), Old Shirazi, Qazvini, Sedehi, Shahrudi Kazeruni, Shirazi, Shirazjahromi, Tehrani, Yazdi. Literary language virtually identical in Iran and Afghanistan, with very minor lexical differences. Dialect shading into Dari [prs] in Afghanistan and Tajiki [tgk] in Tajikistan. Many dialects may be separate languages.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian Comments: Muslim (Shi’a), Baha’i, Christian.
Razajerdi
Romani, Balkan
[rmn] Status: 7 (Shifting). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Romani, Balkan Comments: Muslim.
Rudbari
Salchuq
Sangisari
[sgr] Semnan Province. Shahmirzadi dialect: Shamirzad north of Mehdi. 36,000 (2006 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Mahdi Shahri, Mehdishahri, Sangesari, Sängesäri, Sangsari, Sängsari, Sängsäri, Sengiseri, Sengsari Dialects: Shahmirzadi.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Semnani Comments: Muslim, Baha’i.
Semnani
[smy] Semnan Province. 60,000 (2007). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Simnani Dialects: Biyabunaki might be a dialect of Semnani.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Semnani Comments: Muslim.
Senaya
[syn] Tehran and Qazvin. Originally in Kurdestan Province, Sanandaj. Also in United States. 60 in Iran (1997 H. Mutzafi). Population total all countries: 460. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Christian Neo-Aramaic, Lshan Sray, Senaaya, Shan Gyanan, Shan Sray, Soray, Sray Dialects: Qazvin variety slightly different from that spoken by Sanandaj-born people.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern Comments: Christian (Chaldean).
Shahmirzadi
Shahrudi
[shm] East Azerbaijan Province, Khalkhal district, Shahrud district, Shal, Kolur, Lerd. Status: 7 (Shifting). Dialects: Similar to Kajali [kjf] and Koresh-e Rostam [okh]. Different from Sharudi, an Iranian Persian [pes] dialect.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh Comments: Muslim.
Sivandi
Soi
[soj] 7,030 (2000). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Comments: Muslim.
Sorkhei
Takestani
[tks] Zanjan, Qazvin, and Markazi provinces, from Khalkhal to Saveh, Takestan, south and southeast. 220,000. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Takistani Dialects: Khalkhal, Kharaqan, Ramand (Takestan), Tarom, Zanjan. Khalkhal dialect is similar to Talysh [tly]. Transitional between Talysh and Semnani [smy] languages. Similar to Eshtehardi [esh].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh Comments: Different from Tat [ttt] of the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Muslim.
Talysh
[tly] Northwest Gilan Province, Caspian coastal plain and mountain areas from Masuleh, Masal, and Kapur-Chal (Kepri-Chal) to Azerbaijan border. Northern Talyshi dialect: Azerbaijan, Astara and the Caspian littoral areas. Central Talyshi dialect: Gilan Province, Asalem-Hashtpar area along Caspian littoral. Southern Talyshi dialect: Gilan Province, Shandermen, Masal, Masuleh, and surrounding mountainous areas. 112,000 in Iran (1993). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Talesh, Taleshi, Talish, Talishi, Talyshi Dialects: Central Talyshi, Northern Talyshi, Southern Talyshi.
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh Comments: Muslim.
Taromi, Upper
Tat, Muslim
Turkmen
[tuk] Northeast, Mazanderan Province, Turkmenistan border area, Gonbad-e Kavus and Pahlavi Dezh. 2,000,000 in Iran (1997). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Torkomani Dialects: Anauli, Chavdur, Esari (Esary), Goklen (Goklan), Khasarli, Nerezim, Nokhurli (Nohur), Salyr, Saryq, Teke (Tekke), Trukmen, Yomud (Yomut).
Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Turkmenian Comments: Not a literary language in Iran. Many are seminomadic. Ethnic groups: Yomut, Goklan. Muslim (Hanafi Sunni), Muslim (Shi’a).
Vafsi
[vaf] Markazi Province, Arak district, Vafs, near Tafresh. 18,000 (2003). Status: 7 (Shifting). Dialects: Various dialects. Transitional between central Iranian dialects and Talysh [tly]; very similar to Ashtiani [atn].
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran Comments: Muslim.