Interesting facts about the Persian language

Facts about the Persian language

The Persian language, also known as Farsi, is spoken by millions of people predominantly in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. It belongs to the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages, showcasing a rich history that spans over a thousand years. This historical depth has contributed to its extensive literature and cultural significance.

Throughout history, Persian has been a language of poetry and literature. Great poets like Rumi and Hafez have penned their works in Persian, which continue to be celebrated worldwide. Their contributions have significantly shaped the language’s structure and vocabulary, making it a medium of profound artistic expression.

In terms of its linguistic features, Persian has a relatively simple grammar compared to many other languages. It has no gender distinctions and uses a subject-object-verb (SOV) word order. This aspect makes it somewhat easier for learners to grasp its basic structure, despite its expansive vocabulary.

Persian has absorbed a considerable number of words from languages like Arabic, French, and English over the centuries. This incorporation has enriched its lexicon, allowing for nuanced expression and communication. However, it has also maintained many of its original words, preserving its unique character.

The script used for writing Persian in Iran and Afghanistan is a variant of the Arabic alphabet, adapted to accommodate Persian phonetics. In Tajikistan, however, the Cyrillic alphabet is used following Soviet influence. This difference in scripts reflects the diverse cultural and political landscapes in which Persian is spoken.

Persian continues to thrive as a language of education, government, and daily communication in its native countries. It serves as a bridge between the rich historical past of the Persian-speaking world and its modern-day aspirations. Through its enduring literature, Persian remains a testament to the resilience and beauty of human expression across centuries.

Persian for beginners is one of over 50 free language packs that you can get from us.

‘50LANGUAGES’ is the effective way to learn Persian online and for free.

Our teaching materials for the Persian course are available both online and as iPhone and Android apps.

With this course you can learn Persian independently - without a teacher and without a language school!

The lessons are clearly structured and will help you achieve your goals.

Learn Persian fast with 100 Persian language lessons organized by topic.