{{short description|Branch of the Iranian languages}} {{Infobox language family | name = Western Iranian | altname = Western Iranic | region = [[Southwest Asia]], [[Central Asia]], [[Caucasus]], and western [[South Asia]] | familycolor = Indo-European | fam2 = [[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]] | fam3 = [[Iranian languages|Iranian]] | glotto = nort3177 | glottoname = Northwestern Iranian | glotto2 = sout3157 | glottoname2 = Southwestern Iranian | child1 = [[Old Azeri|Adharic]]<ref>{{Glottolog|tati1243|Adharic}}</ref> | child2 = [[Baloch language|Balochic]] | child3 = [[Caspian languages|Caspian]] | child4 = [[Komisenian languages|Komisenian]] | child5 = [[Semnani languages|Semnani]] | child6 = [[Central Plateau languages (Iranian)|Central Iranian-Kermanic]] | child7 = [[Laki language|Laki]]-[[Kurdish language|Kurdish]] | child8 = [[Bashkardi language|Bashkardi]] | child9 = [[Persian language|Farsic]]-[[Tat language (Caucasus)|Caucasian Tatic]] | child10 = [[Dialects of Fars|Fars dialects]] | child11 = [[Achomi language|Larestani]] | child12 = [[Luri language|Luric]]-[[Dezfuli dialect|Dezfulic]] | child13 = [[Kumzari language|Kumzari]] | child14 = Extinct languages | child15 = [[Median language|Median]] {{extinct}} | child16 = [[Old Persian]] {{extinct}} | child17 = [[Parthian language|Parthian]] {{extinct}} | child18 = [[Old Azeri]] {{extinct}} }} [[File:Distribution of Iranian Languages.png|thumb|350x350px|Distribution of the [[Iranian languages]] in and around the [[Iranian plateau]].]]
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 language|Median]].
==Languages== The traditional Northwestern branch is a convention for non-Southwestern languages, rather than a genetic group. The languages are as follows:<ref name=Atlas>Erik Anonby, Mortaza Taheri-Ardali & Amos Hayes (2019) ''The Atlas of the Languages of Iran (ALI)''. Iranian Studies 52. [https://docs.google.com/document/d/13HM6ElEb3cPqf4FWxYVc8LqRrvFsyu0mGXXqaawgXWk/pub#ftnt142 A Working Classification]</ref><ref>Gernot Windfuhr, 2009, "Dialectology and Topics", ''The Aryanic Languages'', Routledge, pp. 12–15.</ref><ref>{{glotto|nort3177|Northwestern Iranian}}<br>{{glotto|sout3157|Southwestern Iranian}}</ref>
=== Old Iranian period === The Old Iranian period languages consisted of the following languages: * Northwest: [[Median language|Median]]† * Southwest: [[Old Persian]]†
=== Middle Iranian period === The Middle Iranian period languages consisted of the following languages: * Middle West Iranian ** Northwest: [[Parthian language|Parthian]]† ** Southwest: [[Middle Persian]]†
=== Modern period (Neo-Iranian) === [[Glottolog]] proposes a detailed linguistic classification of Iranian languages, encompassing many subgroups and dialects:
==== Northwestern Iranian ==== * '''[[Old Azeri|Adharic]]'''<ref>{{Glottolog|tati1243|Adharic}}</ref> ** [[Old Azeri|Adhari]] (Old Azeri)† ** [[Zaza language|Zaza]]<ref>{{Glottolog|zaza1246|Zaza}}</ref> ***Northern Zaza (Kirmanjki) (Tunceli, [[Varto]]) ***Southern Zaza ([[Dimili|Dimli]]) (Dumbuli, Hazzu, Kori, Motki, Sivereki) ** [[Tati language (Iran)|Tatic]] ([[Tati language (Iran)|Tati]]-[[Talysh language|Talysh]])<ref>{{Glottolog|tati1244|Tatic}}</ref> *** [[Alamuti language|Alamuti]] *** Central Tatic ([[Khalkhal language|Khalkhali]] ([[Kajali language|Kajali]], [[Karan language|Karanic]] [Diz, Gandomabi, Hezarrudi [[Karan language|Karan]] (Khoresh-e Rostam) Karnaq, Kelasi, Lerd, Nowkiani], [[Shahrudi language|Shahrudi]] -[[Talysh language|Southern Talysh]] ([Shali-Kolur, Shandermani, [[Talysh language|Southern Talysh]], Massali Masulei]), [[Kho'ini dialect|Khoini]], [[Maraghei dialect|Maraghei]] [Dikini], [[Talysh language|North-Central Talysh]] ([[Talysh language|Central Talysh]] [Asalemi, Hashtpari], [[Talysh language|Northern Talysh]] [Astara, Lenkoran, Lerik], [[Taromi language|Taromic]] [Kabate, Kalasi, Upper Taromi], *** [[Tati language (Iran)|Northern Tatic]]: [[Harzandi dialect|Harzandi]]-[[Kilit dialect|Kilit]] ([[Harzandi dialect|Harzandi]], [[Kilit dialect|Kilit]]†), [[Karingani language|Karingani]]-Kalasuri-Khoynarudi ([[Karingani language|Karingani]], Kalasuri-Khoynarudi), *** [[Tati language (Iran)|Southern Tatic]]: [[Alviri-Vidari dialect|Alviri-Vidari]] (Alviri, Vidari), [[Vafsi dialect|Vafsic]] ([[Ashtiani language|Ashtiani]] [Amorei, Kahaki, Nuclear Ashtiani, Tafresh], [[Vafsi dialect|Vafsi]]), Ramand-Karaj: [[Eshtehardi]], [[Razajerdi language|Razajerdi]],[[Takestani language|Takestani]] (Khalkhal, Kharaqani, Ramandi, Tarom, Zanjan)) ** [[Gorani language|Gurani]]<ref>{{Glottolog|gora1267|Gorani}}</ref> ***Gurani ***[[Shabaki language|Shabaki]]-[[Bajelani]] (Bajelani, Chabak, Sarli) *[[Balochi language|'''Balochic''']]<ref>{{Glottolog|balo1260|Balochic}}</ref> **[[Eastern Balochi (dialect)|Eastern Balochi]] (Bugti, Kasrani, Leghari, Marri, Mazari, Upper Sindhi Balochi) **[[Makrani dialect|Southern]]-[[Rakhshani dialect|Western Balochi]] ***[[Makrani dialect|Southern]]-[[Rakhshani dialect|Western Balochi]]-[[Koroshi dialect|Koroshi]] ****[[Koroshi dialect|Koroshi]] (Coastal Koroshi, Inland Koroshi) ****[[Makrani dialect|Southern Balochi]] (Coastal Balochi [Kechi, Barahuwi, Bashgaadi, Huuti Karachi Balochi Makrani], Kechi) ***[[Makrani dialect|Western Balochi]] ****Lashari (Bampuri, Iranshahr) ****[[Rakhshani dialect|Rakhshani]] (Kalati Balochi, Panjguri, Sarhaddi Balochi [Afghanistan Balochi, Sistani Balochi, Turkmenistan Balochi]) * [[Caspian languages|'''Caspian''']]<ref>{{Glottolog|casp1236|Caspian}}</ref> ** [[Gorgani language|Gorgani]]† ** [[Gilaki language|Gilaki]]-[[Rudbari language|Rudbari]] *** [[Gilaki language|Gilaki]] **** [[Western Gilaki]] (Anzali, Fumani Rashti) **** [[Eastern Gilaki]] (Lahijani, Langerudi, Machiani) **** [[Galeshi]] *** [[Rudbari language|Rudbari]] ** [[Mazandarani Language|Mazandarani]]-[[Shahmirzadi]] *** [[Mazandarani Language|Mazandarani]] (Central Caspian, Gachsari, Galeshi of Mazanderan, Nuclear Mazanderani, Velatru) *** [[Shahmirzadi]] * [[Komisenian languages|'''Komisenian''']]<ref>{{Glottolog|komi1276|Komisenian}}</ref> ** [[Lasgerdi language|Lasgerdi]] ** [[Sangisari language|Sangisari]] ** [[Sorkhei language|Sorkhei]]-Aftari *** Sorkhei *** [[Sorkhei language|Aftari]] * '''[[Semnani language|Semnani-Biyabuneki]]'''<ref>{{Glottolog|semn1249|Semnani-Biyabuneki}}</ref> ** [[Semnani language|Semnani]] ** [[Biyabuneki langauge|Biyabuneki]] * [[Central Plateau languages (Iranian)|'''Central Iran-Kermanic''']]<ref>{{Glottolog|cent2264|Central Iran Kermanic}}</ref> ** [[Kavir language|Kavir]] (Farvi, Garme'i, Khuri, Mihrijan) ** [[Central Iranian dialects|Nuclear Central-Kermanic]] *** [[Gazi language|Gazic]] ([[Judeo-Esfahani]], Ardestani, Gazi, Jarquya'i, Kafrudi, Kuhpa'i, Nohuji, Rudashti, Sedehi, Zefra'i) *** [[Judeo-Hamedani–Borujerdi|Judeo-Hamedani-Borujerdi]] (Judeo-Hamedani, Judeo-Borujerdi) *** [[Judeo-Kashani|Kashanic]] **** [[Natanzi language|Natanzic]] (Abyane'i, Badi (Median), Badrudi, Bidhandi, Farizandi, Hanjani, Natanzi, Yarandi) **** [[Soi language|Soic]] ([[Abuzaydabadi dialect|Abuzaydabadi]], Arani-Bidgoli, Delijani, Jowshaqani, Judeo-Kashani, [[Soi language|Soi]]) *** [[Khunsari language|Khunsaric]] (Judeo-Khomeini, Judeo-Khunsari, [[Khunsari language|Khunsari]], Mahallati, Vaneshani) *** [[Judeo-Kermani]]-[[Nayini language|Nayini]] **** [[Nayini language|Nayinic]] (Abchuya'i, Anarak, Keyjani, Nayini, Tudeshki) **** [[Zoroastrian Dari language|Zoroastrian Yazdi]] (Gabri [Iranian], Judeo-Yazdi-Kermani, Parsi [Zoroastrian], [[Zoroastrian Dari language|Zoroastrian Dari]]) ** [[Sivandi language|Sivandi]] * '''[[Laki language|Laki-]][[Kurdic|Kurdish]]'''<ref>{{Glottolog|laki1246|Laki-Kurdish}}</ref> ** [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish]] *** [[Northern Kurdish]] (Northern Kurmanji, Southeastern Kurmanji, Southern Kurmanji, Western Kurmanji) *** [[Central Kurdish]] (Mukri, Sine'i, Sorani) *** [[Southern Kurdish]] (Ilami, Lakic Southern Kurdish, Peripheral Kermanshahic) ** [[Laki language|Laki]]
==== Southwestern Iranian ====
* '''[[Bashkardi language|Bashkardi]]'''<ref>{{Glottolog|bash1263|Bashkardi}}</ref> ** Northern Bashaka ([[Garmsiri language|Garmsiri]], North Bashkardi) ** Southern Bashaka (Garahven, Gwafr, Parmont, Pirou, Shahbavek) * '''[[Dialects of Fars|Fars dialects]]'''<ref>{{Glottolog|sout2645|Fars Dialects}}</ref> (Ardakani, Buringuni, Davani, Judeo-Shirazi, Kalati, Kondazi, Masarmi, Papuni, Somghuni, Xullari, Heshnizi, Gavbandi, Dashtini, Kangani, Jami, Bardesuni (Bardestani) *[[Persian language|'''Farsic''']]'''-[[Tat language (Caucasus)|Caucasian Tat]]'''<ref>{{Glottolog|fars1254|Farsic-Caucasian Tat}}</ref> ** [[Tat language (Caucasus)|Caucasian]] *** [[Judeo-Tat]] (Central Judeo-Tat, Northern Judeo-Tat, Southern Judeo-Tat) *** [[Tat language (Caucasus)|Muslim Tat]] (Absheron, Mədrəsə, Northern Muslim Tat, Şirvan Muslim Tat, Xızı) ** Farsic *** Eastern Farsi ([[Aimaq dialect|Aimaq]], [[Dari]], [[Dehwari language|Dehwari]], [[Hazaragi dialect|Hazaragi]], [[Pahlavani language|Pahlavani]]) *** Tajikic **** [[Bukharian (Judeo-Tajik dialect)|Bukharic]] **** [[Tajik language|Tajik]] (Badakhshan, Darwazi, Derbent, Goron, Hissar, Tajik, Karatag, Kuljub, Lyuli, Matchin, Vaxio-Bolo) ** [[Judeo-Persian]] ** [[Iranian Persian|Persian (Western Farsi)]] *** Central Persian (Esfahani, Kermani Persian) *** Eastern Persian (Khorasan Persian, Sistani Persian) *** Northern Persian ([[Tehrani dialect|Tehrani]], Araki (Iran), Gorgani Persian, Karbalai, Kermanshahi Persian, Ketabi (Literary), Mahalati Malayeri, Perso-Tabaric [Damavandi, Lower Jajrudi, Shemiran, Taleqan-Karaj], Qazvini Persian, Qomi Persian, Savei) *** Southern Persian (Bandari [Bandar Abbasi, Hajiab, Khamiri, Lengei, Qeshmi], Bushehri [Bahraini, Dashtestani, Dashti, Jami, Nuclear Bushehri, Tangestani], Fars Persian [Abadei, Basseri, Jahromi, Kazeruni, Old Shirazi, Shirazi], Khuzestani [Abadani, Ahvazi, Behbahani, Ramhormozi])
* [[Kumzari language|'''Kumzari''']]<ref>{{Glottolog|kumz1235|Kumzari}}</ref>
* '''[[Achomi language|Larestani]] (Achomi)'''<ref>{{Glottolog|lari1253|Larestani}}</ref> ** Bastak, Bixa, Evaz, Gerash, [[Achomi language|Lari]], Xonj
* [[Luri language|'''Luric''']]'''-[[Dezfuli dialect|Dezfulic]]'''<ref>{{Glottolog|luri1257|Luric-Dezfulic}}</ref> ** Dezfuli-Shushtari *** Dezfuli *** Shushtari ** [[Luri language|Luric]] *** [[Bakhtiari dialect|Bakhtiari]]-Southern Luri **** [[Bakhtiari dialect|Bakhtiari]] (Charlang, Chelgerd, Haft-Lang, Kuhrang) **** Southern Luri (Boyerahmadi, Kohgiluyeh, Mamasani, Shuli, Yasuji) *** Northern Luri (Andimeshki, Bala-Gariva'i, Borujerdi, Cagani ,Khorramabadi, Mahali (Iran), Nahavandi)
There is also a recently described, and as yet unclassified, [[Batu'i language]] that is presumably Western Iranian.<ref name=Atlas/> Extinct [[Deilami language|Deilami]] is sometimes classified in the Caspian branch. An Iranian [[Khalaj people|Khalaj]] language has been claimed, but [[Spurious languages|does not exist]]; the Khalaj speak [[Khalaj language|a Turkic language]].
Many of the languages and dialects spoken in [[Markazi province|Markazi]] and [[Isfahan province]]s are giving way to [[Persian language|Persian]] in the younger generations.<ref name=Central>[http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/central-dialects Central dialects], Gernot Windfuhr, Encyclopedia Iranica</ref>
It is to note that the Caspian languages (incl. [[Old Azeri|Adharic]]), the central dialects, [[Zaza language|Zaza]] and [[Gorani language|Gorani]] languages are likely descended from a later form of [[Median language|Median]] with varying amounts of [[Parthian language|Parthian]] substrata,<ref>Borjian, Habib (2019) Journal of Persianate Studies 2, ''Median Succumbs to Persian after Three Millennia of Coexistence: Language Shift in the Central Iranian Plateau'', p. 70</ref> whereas the [[Semnani languages]] were likely descended from Parthian.<ref>Pierre Lecoq. 1989. "Les dialectes caspiens et les dialectes du nord-ouest de l'Iran," ''Compendium Linguarum Iranicarum''. Ed. Rüdiger Schmitt. Wiesbaden: Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag, p. 297</ref>
==See also== * [[Eastern Iranian languages]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== * Pierre Lecoq. 1989. "Les dialectes caspiens et les dialectes du nord-ouest de l'Iran," ''Compendium Linguarum Iranicarum'', ed. Rüdiger Schmitt. Wiesbaden: L. Reichert Verlag, 1989; p. 99.
==Further reading== * {{cite journal |last1=Attarzadeh |first1=Muhammad |last2=Rouhparvar |first2=Rahimeh |title=Linguistic Study of Some Properties and Phonological Processes of Jooshani Dialect of Persian |journal=Dialectologia et Geolinguistica |volume=32 |issue=1 |date=2024 |pages=99–122 |doi=10.1515/dialect-2024-0007}} *Mohammadirad, Masoud, and Shuan Osman Karim. "[https://brill.com/view/journals/ldc/15/1/article-p1_4.xml The typology of verbal person/number syncretism in Western Iranic languages]." Language Dynamics and Change 15.1 (2025): 1-87. *Kontovas, Nicholas. "Contact and the diversity of noun-noun subordination strategies among Western Iranic languages." *Hanaway Jr, William L. "[https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/review-of-middle-east-studies/article/abs/gernot-l-windfuhr-persian-and-west-iranic-history-and-state-of-research-part-one-persian-grammar-the-hague-mouton-1979-trends-in-linguistics-stateoftheart-reports-no-12-7550/E47A0B8D10E561AFED087EA0135D1073 Gernot L. Windfuhr. Persian and West Iranic: History and State of Research: Part One: Persian Grammar. The Hague: Mouton, 1979.[Trends in Linguistics: State-of-the-Art Reports, No. 12]." Review of Middle East Studies 16.1 (1982): 56-58.
{{Iranian languages}} {{Persian language}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Western Iranian Languages}} [[Category:Western Iranian languages| ]]