# Western Iranian languages

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Branch of the Iranian languages

Western Iranian Western Iranic Geographic distribution Southwest Asia, Central Asia, Caucasus, and western South Asia Linguistic classification Indo-European Indo-Iranian Iranian Western Iranian Subdivisions Adharic[1] Balochic Caspian Komisenian Semnani Central Iranian-Kermanic Laki-Kurdish Bashkardi Farsic-Caucasian Tatic Fars dialects Larestani Luric-Dezfulic Kumzari Extinct languages Median † Old Persian † Parthian † Old Azeri † Language codes Glottolog nort3177 Northwestern Iranian sout3157 Southwestern Iranian

Distribution of the [Iranian languages](/source/Iranian_languages) in and around the [Iranian plateau](/source/Iranian_plateau).

The **Western Iranian languages** or **Western Iranic languages** are a branch of the [Iranian languages](/source/Iranian_languages), attested from the time of [Old Persian](/source/Old_Persian) (6th century BC) and [Median](/source/Median_language).

## Languages

The traditional Northwestern branch is a convention for non-Southwestern languages, rather than a genetic group. The languages are as follows:[2][3][4]

### Old Iranian period

The Old Iranian period languages consisted of the following languages:

- Northwest: [Median](/source/Median_language)†

- Southwest: [Old Persian](/source/Old_Persian)†

### Middle Iranian period

The Middle Iranian period languages consisted of the following languages:

- Middle West Iranian - Northwest: [Parthian](/source/Parthian_language)† - Southwest: [Middle Persian](/source/Middle_Persian)†

### Modern period (Neo-Iranian)

[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog) proposes a detailed linguistic classification of Iranian languages, encompassing many subgroups and dialects:

#### Northwestern Iranian

- **[Adharic](/source/Old_Azeri)**[5] - [Adhari](/source/Old_Azeri) (Old Azeri)† - [Zaza](/source/Zaza_language)[6] - Northern Zaza (Kirmanjki) (Tunceli, [Varto](/source/Varto)) - Southern Zaza ([Dimli](/source/Dimili)) (Dumbuli, Hazzu, Kori, Motki, Sivereki) - [Tatic](/source/Tati_language_(Iran)) ([Tati](/source/Tati_language_(Iran))-[Talysh](/source/Talysh_language))[7] - [Alamuti](/source/Alamuti_language) - Central Tatic ([Khalkhali](/source/Khalkhal_language) ([Kajali](/source/Kajali_language), [Karanic](/source/Karan_language) [Diz, Gandomabi, Hezarrudi [Karan](/source/Karan_language) (Khoresh-e Rostam) Karnaq, Kelasi, Lerd, Nowkiani], [Shahrudi](/source/Shahrudi_language) -[Southern Talysh](/source/Talysh_language) ([Shali-Kolur, Shandermani, [Southern Talysh](/source/Talysh_language), Massali Masulei]), [Khoini](/source/Kho'ini_dialect), [Maraghei](/source/Maraghei_dialect) [Dikini], [North-Central Talysh](/source/Talysh_language) ([Central Talysh](/source/Talysh_language) [Asalemi, Hashtpari], [Northern Talysh](/source/Talysh_language) [Astara, Lenkoran, Lerik], [Taromic](/source/Taromi_language) [Kabate, Kalasi, Upper Taromi], - [Northern Tatic](/source/Tati_language_(Iran)): [Harzandi](/source/Harzandi_dialect)-[Kilit](/source/Kilit_dialect) ([Harzandi](/source/Harzandi_dialect), [Kilit](/source/Kilit_dialect)†), [Karingani](/source/Karingani_language)-Kalasuri-Khoynarudi ([Karingani](/source/Karingani_language), Kalasuri-Khoynarudi), - [Southern Tatic](/source/Tati_language_(Iran)): [Alviri-Vidari](/source/Alviri-Vidari_dialect) (Alviri, Vidari), [Vafsic](/source/Vafsi_dialect) ([Ashtiani](/source/Ashtiani_language) [Amorei, Kahaki, Nuclear Ashtiani, Tafresh], [Vafsi](/source/Vafsi_dialect)), Ramand-Karaj: [Eshtehardi](/source/Eshtehardi), [Razajerdi](/source/Razajerdi_language),[Takestani](/source/Takestani_language) (Khalkhal, Kharaqani, Ramandi, Tarom, Zanjan)) - [Gurani](/source/Gorani_language)[8] - Gurani - [Shabaki](/source/Shabaki_language)-[Bajelani](/source/Bajelani) (Bajelani, Chabak, Sarli)

- [**Balochic**](/source/Balochi_language)[9] - [Eastern Balochi](/source/Eastern_Balochi_(dialect)) (Bugti, Kasrani, Leghari, Marri, Mazari, Upper Sindhi Balochi) - [Southern](/source/Makrani_dialect)-[Western Balochi](/source/Rakhshani_dialect) - [Southern](/source/Makrani_dialect)-[Western Balochi](/source/Rakhshani_dialect)-[Koroshi](/source/Koroshi_dialect) - [Koroshi](/source/Koroshi_dialect) (Coastal Koroshi, Inland Koroshi) - [Southern Balochi](/source/Makrani_dialect) (Coastal Balochi [Kechi, Barahuwi, Bashgaadi, Huuti Karachi Balochi Makrani], Kechi) - [Western Balochi](/source/Makrani_dialect) - Lashari (Bampuri, Iranshahr) - [Rakhshani](/source/Rakhshani_dialect) (Kalati Balochi, Panjguri, Sarhaddi Balochi [Afghanistan Balochi, Sistani Balochi, Turkmenistan Balochi])

- [**Caspian**](/source/Caspian_languages)[10] - [Gorgani](/source/Gorgani_language)† - [Gilaki](/source/Gilaki_language)-[Rudbari](/source/Rudbari_language) - [Gilaki](/source/Gilaki_language) - [Western Gilaki](/source/Western_Gilaki) (Anzali, Fumani Rashti) - [Eastern Gilaki](/source/Eastern_Gilaki) (Lahijani, Langerudi, Machiani) - [Galeshi](/source/Galeshi) - [Rudbari](/source/Rudbari_language) - [Mazandarani](/source/Mazandarani_Language)-[Shahmirzadi](/source/Shahmirzadi) - [Mazandarani](/source/Mazandarani_Language) (Central Caspian, Gachsari, Galeshi of Mazanderan, Nuclear Mazanderani, Velatru) - [Shahmirzadi](/source/Shahmirzadi)

- [**Komisenian**](/source/Komisenian_languages)[11] - [Lasgerdi](/source/Lasgerdi_language) - [Sangisari](/source/Sangisari_language) - [Sorkhei](/source/Sorkhei_language)-Aftari - Sorkhei - [Aftari](/source/Sorkhei_language)

- **[Semnani-Biyabuneki](/source/Semnani_language)**[12] - [Semnani](/source/Semnani_language) - [Biyabuneki](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biyabuneki_langauge&action=edit&redlink=1)

- [**Central Iran-Kermanic**](/source/Central_Plateau_languages_(Iranian))[13] - [Kavir](/source/Kavir_language) (Farvi, Garme'i, Khuri, Mihrijan) - [Nuclear Central-Kermanic](/source/Central_Iranian_dialects) - [Gazic](/source/Gazi_language) ([Judeo-Esfahani](/source/Judeo-Esfahani), Ardestani, Gazi, Jarquya'i, Kafrudi, Kuhpa'i, Nohuji, Rudashti, Sedehi, Zefra'i) - [Judeo-Hamedani-Borujerdi](/source/Judeo-Hamedani%E2%80%93Borujerdi) (Judeo-Hamedani, Judeo-Borujerdi) - [Kashanic](/source/Judeo-Kashani) - [Natanzic](/source/Natanzi_language) (Abyane'i, Badi (Median), Badrudi, Bidhandi, Farizandi, Hanjani, Natanzi, Yarandi) - [Soic](/source/Soi_language) ([Abuzaydabadi](/source/Abuzaydabadi_dialect), Arani-Bidgoli, Delijani, Jowshaqani, Judeo-Kashani, [Soi](/source/Soi_language)) - [Khunsaric](/source/Khunsari_language) (Judeo-Khomeini, Judeo-Khunsari, [Khunsari](/source/Khunsari_language), Mahallati, Vaneshani) - [Judeo-Kermani](/source/Judeo-Kermani)-[Nayini](/source/Nayini_language) - [Nayinic](/source/Nayini_language) (Abchuya'i, Anarak, Keyjani, Nayini, Tudeshki) - [Zoroastrian Yazdi](/source/Zoroastrian_Dari_language) (Gabri [Iranian], Judeo-Yazdi-Kermani, Parsi [Zoroastrian], [Zoroastrian Dari](/source/Zoroastrian_Dari_language)) - [Sivandi](/source/Sivandi_language)

- **[Laki-](/source/Laki_language)[Kurdish](/source/Kurdic)**[14] - [Kurdish](/source/Kurdish_languages) - [Northern Kurdish](/source/Northern_Kurdish) (Northern Kurmanji, Southeastern Kurmanji, Southern Kurmanji, Western Kurmanji) - [Central Kurdish](/source/Central_Kurdish) (Mukri, Sine'i, Sorani) - [Southern Kurdish](/source/Southern_Kurdish) (Ilami, Lakic Southern Kurdish, Peripheral Kermanshahic) - [Laki](/source/Laki_language)

#### Southwestern Iranian

- **[Bashkardi](/source/Bashkardi_language)**[15] - Northern Bashaka ([Garmsiri](/source/Garmsiri_language), North Bashkardi) - Southern Bashaka (Garahven, Gwafr, Parmont, Pirou, Shahbavek)

- **[Fars dialects](/source/Dialects_of_Fars)**[16] (Ardakani, Buringuni, Davani, Judeo-Shirazi, Kalati, Kondazi, Masarmi, Papuni, Somghuni, Xullari, Heshnizi, Gavbandi, Dashtini, Kangani, Jami, Bardesuni (Bardestani)

- [**Farsic**](/source/Persian_language)**-[Caucasian Tat](/source/Tat_language_(Caucasus))**[17] - [Caucasian](/source/Tat_language_(Caucasus)) - [Judeo-Tat](/source/Judeo-Tat) (Central Judeo-Tat, Northern Judeo-Tat, Southern Judeo-Tat) - [Muslim Tat](/source/Tat_language_(Caucasus)) (Absheron, Mədrəsə, Northern Muslim Tat, Şirvan Muslim Tat, Xızı) - Farsic - Eastern Farsi ([Aimaq](/source/Aimaq_dialect), [Dari](/source/Dari), [Dehwari](/source/Dehwari_language), [Hazaragi](/source/Hazaragi_dialect), [Pahlavani](/source/Pahlavani_language)) - Tajikic - [Bukharic](/source/Bukharian_(Judeo-Tajik_dialect)) - [Tajik](/source/Tajik_language) (Badakhshan, Darwazi, Derbent, Goron, Hissar, Tajik, Karatag, Kuljub, Lyuli, Matchin, Vaxio-Bolo) - [Judeo-Persian](/source/Judeo-Persian) - [Persian (Western Farsi)](/source/Iranian_Persian) - Central Persian (Esfahani, Kermani Persian) - Eastern Persian (Khorasan Persian, Sistani Persian) - Northern Persian ([Tehrani](/source/Tehrani_dialect), 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**](/source/Kumzari_language)[18]

- **[Larestani](/source/Achomi_language) (Achomi)**[19] - Bastak, Bixa, Evaz, Gerash, [Lari](/source/Achomi_language), Xonj

- [**Luric**](/source/Luri_language)**-[Dezfulic](/source/Dezfuli_dialect)**[20] - Dezfuli-Shushtari - Dezfuli - Shushtari - [Luric](/source/Luri_language) - [Bakhtiari](/source/Bakhtiari_dialect)-Southern Luri - [Bakhtiari](/source/Bakhtiari_dialect) (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](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Batu%27i_language&action=edit&redlink=1) that is presumably Western Iranian.[2] Extinct [Deilami](/source/Deilami_language) is sometimes classified in the Caspian branch. An Iranian [Khalaj](/source/Khalaj_people) language has been claimed, but [does not exist](/source/Spurious_languages); the Khalaj speak [a Turkic language](/source/Khalaj_language).

Many of the languages and dialects spoken in [Markazi](/source/Markazi_province) and [Isfahan provinces](/source/Isfahan_province) are giving way to [Persian](/source/Persian_language) in the younger generations.[21]

It is to note that the Caspian languages (incl. [Adharic](/source/Old_Azeri)), the central dialects, [Zaza](/source/Zaza_language) and [Gorani](/source/Gorani_language) languages are likely descended from a later form of [Median](/source/Median_language) with varying amounts of [Parthian](/source/Parthian_language) substrata,[22] whereas the [Semnani languages](/source/Semnani_languages) were likely descended from Parthian.[23]

## See also

- [Eastern Iranian languages](/source/Eastern_Iranian_languages)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Adharic"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/tati1243). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Atlas_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Atlas_2-1) Erik Anonby, Mortaza Taheri-Ardali & Amos Hayes (2019) *The Atlas of the Languages of Iran (ALI)*. Iranian Studies 52. [A Working Classification](https://docs.google.com/document/d/13HM6ElEb3cPqf4FWxYVc8LqRrvFsyu0mGXXqaawgXWk/pub#ftnt142)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Gernot Windfuhr, 2009, "Dialectology and Topics", *The Aryanic Languages*, Routledge, pp. 12–15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Northwestern Iranian"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/nort3177). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Southwestern Iranian"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/sout3157). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Adharic"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/tati1243). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Zaza"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/zaza1246). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Tatic"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/tati1244). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Gorani"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/gora1267). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Balochic"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/balo1260). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Caspian"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/casp1236). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Komisenian"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/komi1276). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Semnani-Biyabuneki"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/semn1249). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Central Iran Kermanic"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/cent2264). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Laki-Kurdish"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/laki1246). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Bashkardi"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/bash1263). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Fars Dialects"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/sout2645). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Farsic-Caucasian Tat"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/fars1254). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Kumzari"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/kumz1235). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Larestani"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/lari1253). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin (eds.). ["Luric-Dezfulic"](http://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/luri1257). *[Glottolog](/source/Glottolog)*. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Central_21-0)** [Central dialects](http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/central-dialects), Gernot Windfuhr, Encyclopedia Iranica

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** 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

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** 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

## 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

- Attarzadeh, Muhammad; Rouhparvar, Rahimeh (2024). "Linguistic Study of Some Properties and Phonological Processes of Jooshani Dialect of Persian". *Dialectologia et Geolinguistica*. **32** (1): 99–122. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1515/dialect-2024-0007](https://doi.org/10.1515%2Fdialect-2024-0007).

- Mohammadirad, Masoud, and Shuan Osman Karim. "[The typology of verbal person/number syncretism in Western Iranic languages](https://brill.com/view/journals/ldc/15/1/article-p1_4.xml)." 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. "[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](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)." Review of Middle East Studies 16.1 (1982): 56-58.

v t e Iranian languages History Proto-Iranian Old Iranian Middle Iranian New Iranian Eastern Pamir Ishkashimi Khufi Munji Rushani Sanglechi Sarghulami Shughni Bartangi Khufi Oroshori Sarikoli Vanji Wakhi Yazghulami Yidgha Scythian/Northern Eastern Khwarezmian Saka Wakhi Sogdian Yaghnobi Western Alanic Ossetian Digor Iron Jassic Cimmerian Pontic Scythian Others Bactrian Parachi Pashto Central Northern Southern Wanetsi Ormuri Western North Adharic Old Adhari † Gorani Gurani Shabaki Tatic Talysh Alviri-Vidari Ashtiani Eshtehardi Daylami † (South Alborz Gozarkhani Harzandi Kabatei Kajali Karan Karingani Kilit † Kho'ini Koresh-e Rostam Maraghei Razajerdi Shahrudi Takestani Upper Taromi Vafsi Zaza Southern Zaza Northern Zaza Balochic Southern-Western Balochi Makrani Koroshi Rakhshani Eastern Balochi Caspian Gorgani † Gilaki Western Gilaki Eastern Gilaki Galeshi Mazandarani-Shahmirzadi Central Iran Kermanic Kavir Nuclear Central-Kermanic Gazi Judeo-Esfahani Judeo-Hamedani-Borujerdi Judeo-Kermani Natanzi Khunsari Nayini Sivandi Soi Abuzaydabadi Judeo-Kashani Zoroastrian Yazdi Komisenian-Semnani Komisenian Sangisari Lasgerdi Sorkhei Aftari Semnani Biyabuneki) Laki-Kurdish Kurdish Central Kurdish Northern Kurdish Southern Kurdish Laki South Farsic-Caucasian Tatic Caucasian Tat Judeo-Tat Armeno-Tat Farsic Eastern Farsic Aimaq Dari Dehwari Hazaragi Pahlavani Tajik Bukharian Western Farsic Persian Old Persian † Middle Persian † Sistani Iranian Basseri Esfahani Kermanshahi Khorasani Kuwaiti Tehrani Judeo-Persian Pahlavani Khuzestani Persian Fars dialects Judeo-Shirazi Davani Luric-Dezfulic Luri Bakhtiari Northern Luri Southern Luri Mamasani Dezfuli–Shushtari Dezfuli Shushtari Old Kazeruni † Others Bashkardi Garmsiri Khargi Kumzari Larestani (Achomi) Others Avestan Badeshi (unclassified) † indicate extinct or historical languages. Languages between parentheses are varieties of the language on their left.

v t e Persian language History Proto-Indo-European (c. 3000 BCE) Proto-Indo-Iranian (c. 2000 BCE) Proto-Iranian (c. 1500 BCE) Old Persian (c. 525–300 BCE) Middle Persian (c. 300 BCE – 800 CE) New Persian (from 800) Language families Indo-Iranian languages Iranian languages Western Iranian languages Dialects and varieties Standard Persian Iranian Afghan Tajik Hazaragi Aimaq Kuwaiti Persian Tat Judeo-Persian Judeo-Tat (Juhuri) Bukhori Sistani Dehwari Language features Vocabulary Nouns Verbs Phonology Grammar Persian grammar Ezāfe Tajik grammar Writing system Old Persian cuneiform Pahlavi scripts Persian alphabet Persian calligraphy Tajik alphabet Romanized Persian alphabet Persian Braille Literature Persian literature Middle Persian literature Tajik literature Organizations Academy of Persian Language and Literature Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan Rudaki Institute of Language and Literature Other topics List of English words of Persian origin List of French loanwords in Persian List of countries and territories where Persian is an official language Persian language in South Asia

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Western Iranian languages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Iranian_languages) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Iranian_languages?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.