Eire) tod ee ele CeO ONE IS PIMSLEUR? LANGUAGE PROGRAMS FARSI SUPPLEMENTAL READING BOOKLET KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM—_——— TABLE OF CONTENTS —ROICONTENTS 2 5 Acknowledgments... .c.2. 2 ‘The Farsi Language Geography / Climate . History .. Orc Notable Persian Poets Persian Grammar. Gestures Social Issues 5 ‘At Someone’s Home . Social Customs... Food and Beverages Work / Holidays 2.0... 2.. ‘Shopping / Stores / Transportation ‘The Farsi Script ..The Farsi Language Farsi, or Persian, has a rich history. One of the world’s oldest languages, it has been traced as far back as the 6th century B.C. Today it is the most widely spoken of the Iranian branch of the Indo- Iranian languages, a subfamily of the Indo- Buropean group of languages. The contemporary form is called New Persian, or Modern Persian, to distinguish it from Old Persian (the language of the Great Persian Empire, spoken during the 6th - 4th or 3rd centuries B.C.) and from Middle Persian (3rd or 2nd century B.C. - 7th century A.D.). Since the 10th or 11th century it has changed very little, ‘The name “Farsi” comes from “Pars” or “Fars,” the name of the area that the Persians first settled. Today, both terms — “Farsi” and “Persian” are used interchangeably. Persian is the official language of Iran (formerly Persia), where it is spoken by over fifty million people. It is the first language of more than half of Iran's population and is spoken as a second language by most of the rest. (The remainder, members of various ethnic groups, speak Turkic, Kurdish, Luri, or Arabic.) Significant populations of Farsi speakers can also be found in other PersianFarsi The Farsi Language (continued) __ Gulf countries (Bahrain, Ira Oman, People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, and the United ‘Arab Emirates), as well asin communities inthe US.A. and in Europe, Its spoken in an archaic form in Tajikstan. In adition, there are over seven millon Dari Persian speakers in Afghanistan (25 percent ofthe population) and about two milion Da Persian speakers in Pakistan, Dari Persian is variant of Farsi Ii consi ‘red more archaic, or “pres” than modeen Persian. ‘This form has survived in Afghanistan becanse of the’ forbidding “mountain ranges and. other ‘sovgraphical features that have contributed t0 the fsolation ofthat country. Other variants or dialects ‘of Farsi include Gilaki and Mazandarani (in other Iran) and Baluchi (in the southeast). Modem Fars, sits spoken in the major cities in tran, has been influenced by other languages, Primaily Arabic, but also French. The words for hank you" provide an example ofthis: You can sy merc, which comes from French this will be tinderstood in Tehran and other major cities in Kan, (Or you can say moroshakkeram, which has an Farsi ‘The Farsi Language (continued) “Abie root with he Persian personal eding an this word willbe understood throughout most of the Farsspeaking world. In addition, thee isa porely Persian word, sepaasgozaaram, which has a stronger meaning, something like “I am grateful” fd is wsed rch less frequently [As one of the Indo-European languages, Farsi is disanly related 1 Latin, Greek, the Slavic and ‘eatonic languages, and English.” While there are ‘nt many cognates, a numberof Persian word have tntered the English language. Some examples are: ‘haw, polama, taffeta, Khaki, kiosk, diva, lila, jasmine, julep, caravan, bazaar, checkmate, ervish, sah, turquoise, tiara, orange, lemon, melon, peach, spinach, and asparagus. Noe tht many of these words pertain to trade, or items of trade, with some dating back tothe era of Dari the Great and the trade routes that extended throughout the Persian empireFarsi ‘Geography / Climate Trani lighly larger than Alaska. Most of the county is a plateau, about four thousand feet above ‘ea level, enclosed by to major mountain chains, the Zagros and the Albore. Mount Damavand, in the Alor, isthe fifth highest summit in the word Iran also hat two large dese, but no major vers. i does, however, border on two bodies of water: the Caspian Seato the north, and the Persian Gulf 10 © south. It also les between Iraq and Tukey (10 the wes) and Afghanistan and Pakistan (0 the eas) in addition, it shares borders witha number of ‘countries from the former Soviet Union. The ‘pital of Ian is Tehran as ofthe ly 2000 census, ‘he population of Tran was approximatcly 65.5 milion Iran's climate is variable. In the west and northwest, winter can be cold, with significant ‘snow. Spring and fall ae peasant and mid, while summer is generally very hot and dry throughout ‘most of the county History “The name “Persa® comes fom “Peis” the GGrock name for the region. The ealest known setlers were the Elamits, around 3000 B.C. About two thousand years ltr, the tribes of Medes and Persians arived, migrating from an area just north ofthe Caspian Sea. The Medes erated the fist ate in about 700 B.C. which the Persians, lad by (Cyrus the Grea, overtirew in 550 B.C. “Through a series of conquests, Cyrus expanded the Persian Empire to inelode am area tat extended from North Affica and southeastern Europe inthe ‘west t Inia in the eat, and from the Gulf of Oman {nthe south tothe Caucasus Mountsin in the noth (Cyrus was followed by Darius the Great, who built roads (ncladng the royal read, which extended for fifteen hundred miles) poms, banking houses, ii- tation systems, a canal linking the Nile to the Red Sea (the precursor of the Suez Canal), and the palace at Persepolis. ‘The Persians proved t0 be benevolent rulers and able administrators; they ‘were the dominant world power for two centres, ‘uml 334 B.C. and the invasion of Alexander the GreatFars History (continued) "Then, fom 247-224 AD. the Parthians (abl kingdom from nortbeastem Iran) took power. Despite numerous bates. with the Romans, the Panhins ruled Ian until the sevemh century, when the Arabs conquered the area and introduced Islam. However, fom the early 800s until he early 1200s ‘Arab contol diminished and Persian culture increasingly flourished, culminating inthe Golden ‘Age of Persian iteratre. This period was brought to a sudden end in 1220, when Genghis Khan tacked, razing. almost every major city and Saughtering millions. Aer centuries of foreign or fragmented rule, the Persians regained power in 1501, when the Salavid Dynasty established the frst national overnment, headed by shah (or shahanshah, ‘meaning "King of kings"). Next came the Qua Dynasty, then. the Pahlavi Dynasty. Te was daring the reign of the Pablavis tht, in 1935, the name "Persia was changed to “Ian” of “land of the Aryans” History (continued) ‘Afr the overthrow of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi in 1979, Ian became an Islamic Republic; ic then fought am eight-year war with lag (1980- 1988). In 1981, a pat ofthe Islamic Revolution, the US. embassy in Tehran was seized and its personel held hostage for 444 days, causing the United States to sever diplomatic relation. As of carly 2002 they have not been resumed, although travel to Irani allowed. Despite political disagreements, Tanians remain hospitable to foreigners, including, Westemers. Before the Islamic Revolution, many Traians were ‘eveted in the West, and — despite religious ‘opposition — many also support & more open society and greater integration ‘with the. world communityFarsi ‘Notable Persian Poets From the eleventh century through the tieenth cor fourteenth centres, Persian was the language of fale and literature throughout the non-Arab Islamic world. Is most esteemed poets are Ferdowsi, Omar Khayyam, Rumi, Saad, and Hafiz. + Ferdowsi (940-1020 AD) is Inn's rational poet. He is best known for his epic, the ‘Shahnalneh,o€ The Book of the Kings, a classic that tells heroic tales of ancient Persia. It consists of some fifty thousand couplets and took thinty years to compete, An ardent defender of the Persian rational identity, Ferdowsi attempted to exclude ‘Ambic expressions and usages fom his writings. “More well known in the West is Omar ‘hayyam, some of whose poctry was adapted by Edward FitzGerald and published as the Rubia Bor in the eleventh centry, Khayyam was also an cuttanding mathematician, cients, astronomer, And philosopher. He used mathematical calcul tions reform the Persian calendar, one ofthe most sccurate in the world and sill wed today ‘Rumi ived ding the thitecnth contury and is the greatest mystical poet of the Persian Tanguage. ‘Today he is oe ofthe most widely-read poets in America, Farsi Notable Persian Poets (continued) > Along with Romi, Saad, anther thir teenthcentury poet, i atthe heart of the Golden ‘Age of Persian Titeratre. Sandi was a grat pane fytist and iyricist and remains the master of love poetry. Two major works are The Bustan and The Calista * The Golden Age culminate in the four teenth century with Hai the greatest Irie poet of the Persian language. His most famous works arin ‘collection entitled Divan-e afc Poetry is extremely important to most Iranians andis, indeed a central par of Iie. Many can recite extensively from the works of Hafiz in paicular Love of poetry and love of country are two signif ‘cant national characteristics that are deeply interned2 Farsi Persian Grammar Persian grammar 1s not dificult for English speakers: most verbs are regular, as are most noun plurals, and nouns have neither gender nor cae ‘Word order, however. is ifeent om English and different word orders can have diferent shades of ‘meaning $0, 100, can individual words, depending ‘context. In many ways, Farsi is @ very sue language ‘The Persian language offers several registers for speaking to someone, depending on your social relationship or your level of inimacy, For example, in this course you've learned Bebathsheen Engeleesce meefahmeen? (Excuse me- Do you understand English”) When in ran, you may also hear Bebalisheed or mecfohmeed. This -eed nding is more formal, but -en i tll acceptable and polite. In adton, when Iranians speak to each ‘ter, instead of shomaa you may hear fo, Tiss ‘more intimate form of "you" tha is used among amily and close frends. ‘As you've leamed, in Farsi you don't always have to say “I or "you" in a sentence. Unlike English, the Farsi verb form changes ro thatthe Persian Grammar (continued) ‘ding els you who is meant. One example shar? ‘meczanam ("speak") and harf meezangen (90% Speak"). Even when mar and shomaa are omitted, the meaning is stl lear However, in some set phrases these pronouns are not emited. One of them i Haale shomaa chetoore? ("How are you?) ‘On the ther hand, short replies lke Nemeedoonam (CT don't know") and Khoobam, meri (I'm fine, hanks”) tend to omit: In ation, saying “I” or "you" too often in a sentence can sound redundant: i you say tat al it is usually Just once. In general, however, a6 a second-language speaker you will not be expected to know ll the subetes of pronoun usage: whether you drop the pronouns or use them, you wil stil be “understod,‘As you heard in Unit Two, the reply "no" is sometimes accompanied by a quick upward nod of the head. Conversely iting it downward can mean yes” Ia beckoning. someone, Iranians use a gesture similar to that used by Americans — texted hand, with the fingers gesturing inward — ‘bt the hand is held withthe palm facing down, not op Here are some gestures that should be avoided: ‘+ When you hand somthing to someone, use both ands rater than just the lft o the rght + Ifyou ar siting on the Noor (which may ‘occur in same traditional homes). the soles of the feet should never pint at another person. + Extending the thumb is considered extremely vulga + Even if married, men and women do not Aisply affection in public. Social Tasues ‘Asan American traveling to ran, you should be extremely caeflin your contacts with the opposite Sex. For example, inthis stret Muslim county, it highly inappropriate for a man to approach a ‘woman in public inorder to begin a conversation with hee Likewise, unless in a mixed group it ‘afer for a man and a woman to avoid going together to a restaurant ce other public place — although in major cites, this is Becoming more ‘ccepable In any even itis perfetly appropriate fora woman to dine witha man and bis wife, oe his family. In addition, men and women naturally Jteract nthe course oftheir workday ia offic, and they may meet socially at someone's home ‘Asking a passerby, whether male or female, for ‘rections or information is aso permissible, Iran has compulsory edvcation for al children, beginning at age seven. Boys ad gins ae taught in separate classes, although not necessrly.in Separate schools Because of overewowding and a teacher shortage, elementary schools often have two shifts, one in the morning, the other in the aftemoon, Approximately 74 pereent of all students go on 10 high school. The curent adult Tteracy rate i 73 percent,6 Farsi aeaeeeeee Social Issues (continued) Tn publi, Iranians res elaively formally and conservatively. Unless they work for the gov femment, women in Tehran no longer need 0 weat a Imanteau (long coat), but they must wear lose- fiting outer clothing and. cover their har Conspicuous make-up should be avoided. In ‘iva gatherings, however, many Iranian women ‘ress in the highest European fashion. Most men ‘wear western-syle clothing. Despite some segregation ofthe sexes, Iranian women are by no means confined the home. You ‘sll ind them working in a vanity of professions, in businesses aa levels, and holding publi office, ‘They area vital par ofthe Iranian economy. ” Farsi Someone's Home ‘AS mentioned previously, Ianians are a very hospitable people, and you may wel be invited to someone's home. If yu ae, tis considered polite fist to demu (saying something ik, “That to put yu to any trouble”), without outright decinng. ‘Then, after acepting, you should thank the person several times When you ative, you should bring a “hostess ‘it of flowers or candy. In a traiional house- hold, you may be expected to remove your shoes ‘pon entering, although this practice Is rapidly feetining. Soon after your arrival, you will probably be asked what you would like — tea, soda, fruit, and so on. Is impolite wo refuse efeshments without a good reason, such as a medical problem for dietary restrictions. The most polite answer is something ike, "Tea, please” or "Tea's fina” It is preferable 1 avoid saying, “T want” or "Te like,” 4s this reply could be considered. somewhat Toeward, of overly focused on oneself. In a tional household, you may be served a cup of tea without any ingury at all; again, good manners require that you accept it‘Asa guest, you should compliment your host oF hostess generously. Accept compliments gracious Iy in em by saying "thank you” as you would in the US. However, you should avoid overcompl- ‘menting an objet, the tadiionl stor hostess may then fel obligated to offer ito you. In any gatering, elderly persons should be treated wih espect. Whea an older or more promi ‘nent person enters a leaves the roo. the ethers (if Seated) should ise. | Farsi Social Customs ‘Asin the US. if someone asks you how you ae, the standard answer is that you'e fine. Save any information about nor being. well for family or Wester friends. You should mention poor health ‘only if tis the cause of your missing a meeting or Postponing «socal engagement In ra, proper etiquette is essential — s0 much so that it has a name, taro, meaning “ceremonial Politeness.” It consists of somewhat exaggerated ‘ood manners that kep interactions moving along Smoothly. Tt can be important to ty to distinguish tarof from sincerity. For example, if you extave- ‘gamly admire one of someones possessions, he oF ‘he may ole itto you, even pressing you to accep Ieie bert to view these atempts with rain of sat When you hear “Take it — I's yours" the speaker may be sincere, or he or she may be “arof-ing” ‘Asagreting anda sign of affection, Iranians of the same sex may kiss each other onthe cheek when they meet. Nevertheless, the customary greeting is ‘handshake; adding a slight bow oF nod shows even more respect. Outside the office, aman should ot shake hands with a woman, however unless sheFarsi Social Customs (continued) ‘offers fist. Shaking hands with an older hid, or young. adal, shows respect forthe parent. Besides Shaking hands, you should gret the other person and, where appropriate, ask about his or her health land family. One appropriate greting that you have learned i salaam this is from Arabic and Fiterally means "peace: To gret someone respectfully You should ad the person's formal tite and lastname: ‘Miss / Ms. X (Khaanome X), Mt. X (Aaghaaye X). ‘When paring, you should say “Good-bye” (Koda haafe) ‘When aking with or about a female ren with whom you are on a first-name basis, the title [Ehaanom is optional; for example, you may adress ‘woman whose name i “Fart” as either “Fariba” ‘or as Fariba Khaanom. The later term is mest appropriate with a woman whom you se ona daily ‘sis, but whom you don't know well, such as an fice secretary During the month of Ramadan, devout Musims ‘donot eat, drink, or smoke between dawn and dusk. In fact, Muslims and non-Muslims alike are Farsi Social Customs (continued) — ‘prohibited from indulging in any ofthese activites ‘in public during this me, Company cafeterias are closed Punctuality is valued less than in the West; people and personal relationships are considered {ore important than schedules. ‘Many Iranians enjoy spors, including hiking, Jogging. walking. and skiing. Fitness cubs -- with Separate facies for men and. women ~ have recently become popula. Wresling and soccer are favorite spectator spor, with professional matches very welhatended In urban areas, moves are popular