Iranian Languages from Ancient Times until Today

The Iranian languages, a branch of the Indo-Iranian family within the larger Indo-European language group, have a rich and complex history that spans thousands of years. There are various languages spoken in Iran

Iranian Languages List

Here is a list of Iranian languages:

Iran’s languages are fascinating and diverse, spoken by over 200 million people across a wide geographical area. The most widely spoken Iranian language is Persian (Farsi), with about 84 million speakers in Iran, Afghanistan (where it is known as Dari), and Tajikistan (where it is known as Tajik).

Persian is notable for its rich literary tradition and is the language of many classical poets, including Rumi, Hafez, and Ferdowsi.

What Languages Are Spoken in Iran?

In addition to Persian, the official language in Iran, Azerbaijani (Turkic), Kurdish, Luri, Baluchi, Gilaki, and Mazandarani are spoken in Iran. Arabic is also spoken primarily by the Arab minority in Khuzestan province.

Modern Iranian languages spoken in the Iranian plateau and the surrounding area are divided into two main categories:

Western Iranian

• Farsi: also known as Persian, is the modern form of the Persian language that evolved from Middle Persian.
• Kurdish: Spoken by Kurds across Iran, Turkey, Iraq, and Syria.
• Luri and Bakhtiari language: spoken in the southwestern region of Iran.
• Tati: Spoken in the Republic of Azerbaijan and parts of Dagestan.
• Taleshi: Spoken in the Republic of Azerbaijan and northwest Iran.
• Mazandarani and Gilaki languages are spoken along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. They are part of northwest Iranian dialects.

Eastern Iranian

• Tajiki: Spoken in Tajikistan and parts of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
• Ossetic: Spoken by the Ossetians in central Caucasia, continuing the western Scythian dialects.
• Baluchi: Spoken in the historical province of Baluchestan, extending from Iran to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Pashto: Dominant in Afghanistan but is not categorized as either Western or Eastern Iranian in this context; instead, Pashto is part of the Eastern Iranian languages.

Caspian Languages

Caspian languages, a branch of the Iranian languages, are primarily spoken in the Caspian Sea region, particularly in Iran and parts of Azerbaijan. This group includes notable languages such as Gilaki, Mazandarani, Talish and more, which have evolved from ancient Persian roots and are recognized for their unique phonetic and grammatical features.

The formation of Caspian languages can be traced back to the historical interactions between various ethnic groups, resulting in a rich tapestry of dialects influenced by regional cultures and languages. These languages often display distinct lexical and syntactic characteristics, reflecting their geographical and social contexts while still maintaining ties to the broader Iranian language family.

The History of Iranian Languages

The Iranian languages, a branch of the Indo-Iranian family, are categorized into four phases: Proto-Iranian (2000 BCE), Old Iranian (until ~400 BCE), Middle Iranian (400 BCE–900 CE), and New Iranian (post-900 CE) 17. These stages reflect linguistic evolution shaped by migrations, cultural shifts, and contact with neighboring languages.

Proto-Iranian (around 2000 BCE)

The Iranian languages descend from Proto-Iranian, which evolved from Proto-Indo-Iranian, a reconstructed ancestor shared with the Indo-Aryan languages (e.g., Sanskrit). Proto-Iranian emerged after the split of Proto-Indo-Iranian, likely in the early 2nd millennium BCE, as Iranian tribes migrated and settled across vast areas, including southeastern Europe, the Iranian Plateau, and Central Asia.

Recent genetic studies link Proto-Indo-Iranian speakers to the Yamnaya culture (~3000 BCE) from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe, whose migrations spread Indo-European languages across Eurasia 19. Key phonological innovations in Proto-Iranian included the shift of s > h and the development of fricatives (f, θ, x) from earlier stops, distinguishing it from Proto-Indo-Aryan.

The influence of Proto-Iranian is evident in the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Iranian people. Many cultural and religious concepts, such as those in Zoroastrianism, have roots in the Proto-Iranian language and its speakers’ worldview. The term “Iranian” itself derives from the Middle Persian word “Ērān” and the Parthian word “Aryān,” both of which trace back to the Proto-Iranian word *arya- meaning “Aryan” or “of the Iranians.” This linguistic and cultural continuity highlights the deep historical roots of the Iranian languages and their enduring significance.

Old Iranian (Early 2nd Millennium BCE to 4th–3rd Centuries BCE)

The Old Iranian period is marked by the emergence of two directly attested languages: Old Persian and Avestan.

•  Old Persian: This language, spoken in southwestern Iran (modern Fars Province), is best known from the Behistun Inscription (c. 520 BCE), commissioned by Darius the Great. By the 4th century BCE, Old Persian was transitioning into Middle Persian, as evidenced by grammatical errors in later inscriptions.

• Avestan: The sacred language of the Avesta, the Zoroastrian scriptures, is divided into Old (Gathic) Avestan and Younger Avestan. Old Avestan is linguistically archaic, comparable to Vedic Sanskrit, while Younger Avestan, though later, retained archaic features due to its liturgical use.

• Other Dialects: Median and Scythian, though poorly documented, contributed to regional linguistic diversity.

Middle Iranian (4th–3rd Centuries BCE to 8th–9th Centuries CE)

The Middle Iranian period saw the diversification of Iranian languages into Western and Eastern groups:

Western Middle Iranian

• Middle Persian (Pahlavi): This is the administrative and literary language of the Sasanian Empire. The most notable texts in Middle Persian include the Pahlavi scriptures of Zoroastrianism and the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), a monumental epic written in New Persian that reflects many Middle Persian elements.

• Parthian (Arsacid Pahlavi and Pahlawānīg): This is another important Middle Iranian language spoken in the Parthian Empire (247 BCE—224 CE). It served as a lingua franca across a vast territory and was used in royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and literary works. Parthian employed the Aramaic script, which influenced the development of writing systems in other Iranian languages.

Eastern Middle Iranian

• Bactrian, spoken in the region of Bactria (modern-day Afghanistan): This is another significant Middle Iranian language. Bactrian inscriptions and documents, written in the Greek alphabet, provide valuable information about the region’s history and culture during the Kushan Empire (1st to 3rd centuries CE).

• Sogdian, Khwarezmian, Saka, and Khotanese: They are other notable Middle Iranian languages. Sogdian was a primary commercial language along the Silk Road, used extensively for trade and communication between different cultures. Khotanese, spoken in the Buddhist kingdom of Khotan, was crucial in transmitting Buddhist texts and ideas to China.

Frequently Asked Questions about Iranian Languages

Please comment if you have any other questions about Iranian languages. We will respond as soon as possible.

What is the official language of Iran?

Iran’s official language is Persian (Farsi). It is the most widely spoken language and the primary language of government, education, and the media.

What language did ancient Persians speak?

The primary language ancient Persians spoke was Old Persian, an ancient Iranian language used during the Achaemenid Empire (circa 550–330 BCE).

How old is the Persian language?

The Persian language, in its earliest form, known as Old Persian, dates back to around 550 BCE, with inscriptions from the Achaemenid Empire. Thus, it is over 2,500 years old.