What is Dari, and where is it primarily spoken?

Dari is a variety of the Persian language spoken in Afghanistan. It is also known as Afghan Persian or Eastern Persian in many Western sources and is the official term used by the Afghan government for the Persian language spoken there.

How does Dari Persian relate to Tajiki Persian and Iranian Persian?

Dari Persian is most closely related to Tajiki Persian spoken in Tajikistan, sharing many phonological and lexical similarities. Apart from minor vocabulary differences, formal written Persian in Afghanistan and Iran is mutually intelligible, meaning speakers of both varieties can understand each other.

What is the official status of Dari in Afghanistan?

Dari is one of the two official languages of Afghanistan, alongside Pashto, as defined by the 2004 Constitution of Afghanistan.

What percentage of the Afghan population speaks Dari as a native language, and what percentage understands it?

Dari is the native language of approximately 25-55% of Afghanistan's population and serves as the country's lingua franca, meaning it is used as a common language for communication between different ethnic groups, and is understood by up to 78% of the population.

When and why was the local variety of Persian in Afghanistan officially renamed Dari?

The local variety of Persian in Afghanistan was officially renamed Dari in 1964. This change was primarily political, intended to support an Afghan state narrative rather than being based on linguistic differences.

What historical role did Dari Persian play before the rise of modern nationalism?

For centuries, Dari Persian served as the preferred literary and administrative language for non-native speakers, including various Turco-Mongol peoples such as the Mughals.

What are the linguistic roots of Dari Persian?

Dari Persian is a continuation of Middle Persian, which was the official language of the Sasanian Empire (224–651 AD). Middle Persian itself evolved from Old Persian, the language of the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC).

What is the historical meaning of "Dari" in relation to the Sassanid Empire?

Historically, the term "Dari" referred to the Middle Persian court language used during the Sassanid dynasty.

What is the most widely accepted scholarly origin of the word "Dari"?

The majority of scholars believe that "Dari" originates from the Persian word *dar* or *darbār*, meaning "court," reflecting its historical use as the formal language of the Sassanid court.

How did Ibn al-Muqaffa' describe the origin and usage of the term "Dari"?

According to Ibn al-Muqaffa', "Dari" was the language spoken by those at the king's court and was associated with court presence, originating from the cities of Madā'en. He contrasted this with "Pārsi," which he described as the language of priests and scholars from Fars province.

How is the Dari spoken in Afghanistan distinct from the "Dari" or "Gabri" language spoken in Zoroastrian communities in Iran?

The Dari spoken in Afghanistan is a variety of the Persian language. In contrast, the "Dari" or "Gabri" language found in some Iranian Zoroastrian communities is a separate language belonging to the Central Iranian subgroup.

What is the historical lineage of Dari Persian in terms of language periods?

Dari Persian evolved from Middle Persian, which itself is a continuation of Old Persian. This lineage represents the progression through the Old, Middle, and New (Modern) periods of Iranian languages.

Who is credited with being one of the first Europeans to use the term "Deri" for Dari, and in what work?

Thomas Hyde is credited as potentially being one of the first Europeans to use the term "Deri" for Dari. He used it in his significant work, *Historia religionis veterum Persarum*, published in 1700.

How did Persian languages, including Dari, spread into Central Asia?

Persian languages, including Dari, spread into Central Asia by replacing Eastern Iranic languages. Dari Persian became prominent around the Oxus River region, Afghanistan, and Khorasan following the Arab conquests and during Islamic-Arab rule.

What script change occurred for the Persian language in 9th-century Khorasan?

In the 9th century in Khorasan, the Tahirid dynasty adopted the Arabic script for writing the Persian language, replacing the earlier Pahlavi script.

Which Eastern Iranian languages were largely replaced by Dari Persian?

The spread of Dari Persian led to the decline and eventual extinction of Eastern Iranian languages such as Bactrian and Khwarezmian. Only a small number of speakers of Yaghnobi, a language descended from Sogdian, remain.

How did Persian become rooted in Central Asia?

Persian was established as a prestigious language in Central Asia by various dynasties, notably the Samanids. It gradually replaced Sogdian and became the lingua franca after the arrival of Islam.

In which regions of Afghanistan is Dari Persian predominantly spoken?

Dari Persian is predominantly spoken in the northern, western, and central regions of Afghanistan. It is the common language in major cities such as Balkh, Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat, Fayzabad, Panjshir, Bamiyan, and the capital city, Kabul.

Does Dari Persian have a presence in Pashtun-dominated areas of Afghanistan?

Yes, Dari Persian-speaking communities are also found in southwestern and eastern areas of Afghanistan that are predominantly Pashtun-speaking, including cities like Ghazni, Farah, Zaranj, Lashkar Gah, Kandahar, and Gardez.

How many Afghans in Iran and Pakistan speak Dari Persian?

Approximately 2.5 million Afghans residing in Iran and Pakistan, as part of the broader Afghan diaspora, speak Dari Persian as one of their primary languages.

What percentage of the Afghan population does the World Factbook estimate speaks Dari Persian?

The World Factbook estimates that about 80% of the Afghan population speaks Dari Persian.

How has Dari Persian influenced Indo-Aryan languages?

Dari Persian has been the source of most Persian loanwords found in Indo-Aryan languages like Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and Bengali. This influence stems from its historical role as the administrative and cultural language of the Persianate Mughal Empire.

What was the role of the Mughal Empire in the spread of Persian language into South Asia?

The Mughal Empire, often based in Afghanistan and composed of Turkic Central Asian conquerors, introduced Dari Persian into South Asia. It served as the lingua franca across the Indian subcontinent for centuries, significantly influencing its languages and culture.

How does the pronunciation of certain English loanwords reflect Afghan Persian influence?

Certain English loanwords, such as "dopiaza" and "pyjama," reflect the Dari Persian pronunciation. These differ from their Iranian Persian counterparts, which are pronounced "do-piyāzeh" and "pey-jāmeh," respectively.

What is the nature of Dari Persian's tradition of proverbs?

Dari Persian possesses a rich and colorful tradition of proverbs that offer deep insights into Afghan culture and relationships, as exemplified in the literary works of poets like Rumi.

What are the main categories of differences between Afghan Persian (Dari) and Iranian Persian?

The primary differences between Afghan Persian (Dari) and Iranian Persian are found in their phonology (sound systems), lexicon (vocabulary), and morphology (word structure).

How does the vowel system of Afghan Persian compare to Iranian Persian?

The phonology of Dari Persian, particularly the Kabul dialect, is generally more conservative than the standard Iranian Persian. It preserves distinctions in certain "majhul" vowels (long vowels that were historically pronounced differently) which have merged in Iranian Persian.

Provide an example of a phonological difference related to vowel merging between Dari and Iranian Persian.

In Iranian Persian, the words for 'lion' (شیر - *shir*) and 'milk' (شیر - *shir*) are pronounced identically as /ʃir/. In contrast, Afghan Persian distinguishes these as /ʃer/ for 'lion' and /ʃir/ for 'milk', aligning more closely with Tajiki Persian.

How do Dari and Iranian Persian differ in their treatment of early Classical Persian diphthongs like 'ay' and 'aw'?

Iranian Persian typically pronounces the Classical Persian diphthongs 'ay' and 'aw' as [ej] and [ow] respectively. Dari Persian, however, retains pronunciations closer to the ancient forms, such as [aj] and [aw].

What is the difference in the pronunciation of the consonant 'w' (و) between Dari and Iranian Persian?

In standard Iranian Persian, the letter 'w' (و) is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative [v]. In contrast, Dari Persian retains the classical bilabial pronunciation [w].

How do the uvular stops /q/ and /ɣ/ (ق and غ) differ in pronunciation between some Iranian dialects and Dari Persian?

While some Iranian Persian dialects have merged the sounds /q/ (voiced uvular stop) and /ɣ/ (voiced velar fricative), Dari Persian maintains a distinction between these two sounds.

How does the treatment of word-final vowels [a] and [e] differ between Dari and Iranian Persian?

Dari Persian distinguishes between word-final [a] and [e] sounds. In contrast, Iranian Persian often uses [e] as a word-final allophone of /æ/, blurring this distinction.

How does the dialect spoken in Western Afghanistan compare to other Dari dialects and Iranian Persian?

The Dari dialect spoken in Western Afghanistan, particularly in Herat, acts as a linguistic bridge between Afghan and Iranian Persian. It shares many features with both, and its pronunciation is similar to dialects found in Eastern Iran, such as those in Mashhad.

What are the three main dialect groups identified in Afghanistan by Takhar University and the Ministry of Education?

According to a 2018 study by Takhar University and the Ministry of Education, Dari Persian in Afghanistan is categorized into three main dialect groups: Southeastern, Western, and Hazaragi.

What is a distinctive characteristic of the Southeastern dialect group of Dari Persian?

The Southeastern dialect group is characterized by its conservative linguistic features when compared to other dialects, including those in Iran. This conservatism is evident in its phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon.

What external influences are noted for the Southeastern Dari dialects?

Southeastern Dari dialects show varying influences: those near Kabul are influenced by languages from southern Afghanistan and South Asia, while dialects in Afghan Turkistan exhibit more influence from Tajik. Additionally, all Southeastern varieties show some impact from the Uzbek language.

What is the standard model for Dari Persian in Afghanistan, and how was it promoted?

The Kabuli dialect has become the standard model for Dari Persian in Afghanistan. Its prominence was solidified through broadcasts on Radio Afghanistan starting in the 1940s, which helped to homogenize the language across the country.

What are the key distinguishing features of Hazaragi varieties of Dari Persian?

Hazaragi varieties are primarily distinguished by the presence of retroflex consonants and unique vocabulary. However, linguistic analysis suggests Hazaragi is more accurately classified as a sub-dialect of Dari rather than a separate variety of Persian.

How does the Sistani dialect differ from other Dari varieties according to Encyclopaedia Iranica?

Encyclopaedia Iranica identifies the Sistani dialect as a distinct group within Afghan Persian, noting significant influences from the Balochi language. This contrasts with the classification by Afghanistan's Ministry of Education, which groups Sistani dialects with the Western varieties.

What are the phonetic characteristics of the stops /t/ and /d/ in Dari Persian?

In Dari Persian, the stops /t/ and /d/ are phonetically dental, meaning they are articulated with the tongue touching the back of the upper front teeth, represented as [t̪] and [d̪].

When does the glottal stop /ʔ/ appear in Dari Persian?

The glottal stop /ʔ/, a sound made by briefly closing the vocal cords, appears in Dari Persian exclusively in words borrowed from Arabic.

How is the flap sound /ɾ/ treated in Dari Persian, particularly in relation to trills?

The flap sound /ɾ/ in Dari Persian can sometimes be realized as a trill [r], especially in word-final positions or before consonants. It contrasts with vowels where a trill might occur due to consonant doubling (gemination), particularly in Arabic loanwords.

How does the nasal consonant /n/ vary phonetically in Dari Persian?

The pronunciation of the nasal consonant /n/ in Dari Persian adapts based on surrounding sounds. It is realized as a bilabial nasal [m] before bilabial stops (like /p/ or /b/) and as a velar nasal [ŋ] before velar stops (like /k/ or /g/).

How does the phoneme /f/ behave before voiced consonants in Dari Persian?

The voiceless labiodental fricative /f/ in Dari Persian is often voiced to [v] when it appears before voiced consonants.

What are the vowel phonemes in Urban Kabuli Dari?

The vowel phonemes identified in the Urban Kabuli dialect of Dari are /iː/, /uː/, /ɪ/, /ʊ/, /eː/, /oː/, /a/, and /ɯː/.

How do the vowels [ɪ] and [ɛ] function in Dari Persian?

In Dari Persian, the vowels represented by [ɪ] (as in English 'bit') and [ɛ] (as in English 'bet') are not typically distinguished as separate phonemes by native speakers. They are often considered to be in free variation, meaning either pronunciation is acceptable and doesn't change the word's meaning.

How do speakers in different regions of Afghanistan pronounce the vowel that is phonetically between [i] and [e]?

Speakers in urban areas like Kabul and nearby provinces tend to pronounce this vowel as [ɪ]. Those in central Afghanistan, including Hazaragi speakers, lean towards [i], while speakers in western Afghanistan and some rural Kabul areas commonly use [ɛ].

What are the diphthongs identified in Dari Persian?

The diphthongs identified in Dari Persian include /au/, /ui/, /oi/, /ai/, and /əi/.

What is the historical government policy regarding Persian in Afghanistan?

Afghan governments have historically promoted New Persian as an official language since the Delhi Sultanate era. Pashto was later introduced as an additional administrative language by Sher Ali Khan.

What is the core of the linguistic dispute in Afghanistan regarding "Dari" and "Farsi"?

The linguistic dispute centers on whether to use the official term "Dari" or the more traditional name "Farsi." Proponents of "Dari" emphasize its distinct Afghan identity and historical roots, while those favoring "Farsi" view the language as a shared cultural heritage that includes Persian literature from Iran.

When was the local Persian variety in Afghanistan officially renamed Dari, and what was the stated reason?

The local Persian variety in Afghanistan was officially renamed Dari in 1964. The stated reason for this change was that "Dari" signifies "court language."

Dari Wiki: The Tapestry of Tongues: Unveiling Dari Persian

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Introduction to Dari Persian

Definition and Status

Dari, also known as Afghan Persian or Eastern Persian, is the variety of the Persian language spoken in Afghanistan.^[6]^[7] It is the official language of the Afghan government and serves as the primary lingua franca, connecting the nation's diverse ethnic groups.^[8]^[14]

Speaker Demographics

With an estimated 15 million native speakers and an additional 18 million second-language speakers, Dari Persian is spoken by a significant portion of Afghanistan's population, estimated between 25% and 80%.^[1]^[2]^[8]^[21] It is also spoken by Afghan diaspora communities in Iran and Pakistan.^[58]

Linguistic Heritage

Dari Persian is a direct descendant of Middle Persian, the language of the Sasanian Empire, which itself evolved from Old Persian.^[25]^[22] It shares close ties with Tajiki Persian, exhibiting mutual intelligibility and significant phonological and lexical similarities.^[15]

Historical Trajectory

Ancient Roots

Dari traces its lineage back to Middle Persian, the administrative and literary language of the Sasanian Empire (224–651 AD). This linguistic tradition continues from Old Persian, the language of the Achaemenid Empire.^[25]^[22] Historically, "Dari" referred to the Middle Persian court language of the Sasanians.^[26]

Spread and Influence

Following the Arab conquests, Dari Persian spread throughout Central Asia, including Afghanistan and Khorasan, gradually replacing indigenous Eastern Iranian languages like Bactrian and Khwarezmian.^[42]^[40]^[44] The adoption of the Arabic script for Persian occurred during the 9th century in Khorasan.^[43]

Literary and Administrative Prestige

For centuries, Dari Persian served as the preferred literary and administrative language for various ruling dynasties, including the Mughals and Turkic peoples across Central and South Asia.^[23] Its prestige facilitated its role as a lingua franca across the Indian subcontinent for an extended period.^[59]

Geographical Distribution

Afghanistan's Linguistic Heart

Dari Persian is predominantly spoken in the northern, western, and central regions of Afghanistan. It is the primary language in major urban centers such as Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Balkh.^[59] Dari-speaking communities are also present in southeastern Pashtun-dominated areas.

Diaspora Presence

Significant Dari Persian-speaking populations exist within the Afghan diaspora, particularly in neighboring Iran and Pakistan, where it serves as a primary language for many.^[58]

Linguistic Dimensions

Dialectal Variations

Dari Persian exhibits several dialectal groups within Afghanistan, broadly categorized by region. These include Southeastern, Western, Hazaragi, and Sistani varieties, each with unique phonological and lexical characteristics.^[5]^[4]

Scholarly classifications identify distinct dialect groups:

Southeastern: Found in Kabul, Parwan, Balkh, and other northern and eastern provinces. Often considered more conservative, with influences from Tajik and South Asian languages.
Western: Spoken in Herat, Badghis, and Farah, showing similarities with dialects in Eastern Iran, such as Mashhad.
Hazaragi: Associated with the Hazara people in central Afghanistan, characterized by retroflex consonants and distinct vocabulary. It is often considered a sub-dialect of Dari.
Sistani: Found in the Sistan region, noted for influences from Balochi.

The Kabuli dialect has emerged as the standard for media and education, promoting linguistic homogenization.

Phonological Features

Dari Persian maintains certain phonological features that are more conservative compared to Iranian Persian, aligning more closely with Tajiki Persian. Key distinctions include the preservation of historically distinct vowels and diphthongs.

Notable phonological differences from Iranian Persian include:

Vowel Mergers: Dari preserves the distinction between historically distinct "majhul" vowels (e.g., /eɪ/ vs. /iː/, /oʊ/ vs. /uː/), unlike Iranian Persian which merges them. For instance, words like 'lion' and 'milk' (written identically) are pronounced distinctly in Dari.
Vowel Realization: High short vowels /i/ and /u/ tend to be realized more distinctly in Dari compared to the tendency in Iranian Persian to lower them to [e] and [o].
Diphthongs: Classical Persian diphthongs like "ay" and "aw" are often pronounced as [ej] and [ow] in Iranian Persian, whereas Dari retains pronunciations closer to [ajr] and [owr].
Consonant Pronunciation: The /w/ sound is typically pronounced as [w] in Dari, contrasting with the [v] realization in standard Iranian Persian. The uvular stop /q/ and velar fricative /x/ are generally maintained distinctly in Dari, unlike some Iranian dialects.

The realization of certain vowels like /e/ can vary regionally, being closer to [ɪ] in urban Kabul and [ɛ] in western regions.

Writing System

Dari Persian utilizes the Perso-Arabic script, specifically the Nastaliq style, which is also common in Urdu and other Persian-influenced languages.^[Image] The language is officially regulated by the Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan.^[18]

Cultural Resonance

Literary Tradition

Dari Persian has historically been a significant literary language, contributing substantially to the rich corpus of Persian literature. Its influence extends to the Indo-Aryan languages, with numerous Persian loanwords enriching languages like Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali, a legacy of its role in the Mughal Empire.^[60]^[59]

Proverbs and Wisdom

The language is imbued with a vibrant tradition of proverbs that encapsulate Afghan culture and societal values. These expressions, often found in literature and daily discourse, offer profound insights into the collective wisdom and relational dynamics of the region.^[63]^[61]

Sociopolitical Context

Official Language Status

The 2004 Constitution of Afghanistan designates Dari as one of two official languages, alongside Pashto.^[18] While Pashto is the native language of a significant portion of the population, Dari functions as the de facto lingua franca, facilitating inter-ethnic communication.^[22]

The Dari-Farsi Debate

The official renaming of the Persian language spoken in Afghanistan to "Dari" in 1964 sparked a continuing debate. This political decision aimed to foster a distinct Afghan national identity, separating it from Iran's linguistic narrative. While "Dari" is the official term, many native speakers continue to refer to their language as "Farsi".^[15]^[82]

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References

Sistani is subsumed as part of the Western varieties by Afghanistans Ministry of Education and Takhar University, but considered a distinct dialect by the Encyclopaedia Iranica.

in Frye, R. N., The Cambridge History of Iran, Vol. 4, pp. 595â632, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Ebn al-Nadim, ed. Tajaddod, p. 15; KhjwÄrazmÄ«, MafÄtÄ«h al-olum, pp. 116â17; Hamza EsfahÄnÄ«, pp. 67â68; YÄqÅ«t, BoldÄn IV, p. 846

A. Pisowicz, Origins of the New and Middle Persian phonological systems (Cracow 1985), pp. 112â114, 117.

Willem Vogelsang, "The Afghans", Blackwell Publishing, 2002

A full list of references for this article are available at the Dari Wikipedia page

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This document has been generated by an AI, drawing upon publicly available data. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the content may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date.

This is not professional linguistic advice. The information provided should not substitute consultation with qualified linguists or language experts. Always refer to authoritative sources and academic research for definitive linguistic analysis.

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The Tapestry of Tongues: Unveiling Dari Persian

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Introduction to Dari Persian ℹ️

🗣️ Definition and Status

👥 Speaker Demographics

🔗 Linguistic Heritage

Historical Trajectory ⏳

📜 Ancient Roots

🌍 Spread and Influence

🏛️ Literary and Administrative Prestige

Geographical Distribution 📍

🗺️ Afghanistan's Linguistic Heart

🌐 Diaspora Presence

Linguistic Dimensions 🔬

🗣️ Dialectal Variations

🔊 Phonological Features

✍️ Writing System

Cultural Resonance 🎨

📚 Literary Tradition

💡 Proverbs and Wisdom

Sociopolitical Context ⚖️

🏛️ Official Language Status

💬 The Dari-Farsi Debate

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Scholarly References 📚

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Introduction to Dari Persian

Definition and Status

Speaker Demographics

Linguistic Heritage

Historical Trajectory

Ancient Roots

Spread and Influence

Literary and Administrative Prestige

Geographical Distribution

Afghanistan's Linguistic Heart

Diaspora Presence

Linguistic Dimensions

Dialectal Variations

Phonological Features

Writing System

Cultural Resonance

Literary Tradition

Proverbs and Wisdom

Sociopolitical Context

Official Language Status

The Dari-Farsi Debate

Academic Resources

Test Your Knowledge

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice

Scholarly References