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15-Feb-2008
In the course of Iranian history, Iranian languages have been written with a number of different scripts. The last one was Avestan, which was banned along with the Persian language itself after the Islamic invasion in 642 AD. After the imposition of Islam in Iran, the Islamic invaders imposed Arabic as the only official language on Iranians. The current language appeared during the 9th Century and is written in a version of the Arabic script. Because of its strong links with Arabic, language of the Koran and Islam, nobody has ever had the right to reform or modernise the language.
Today, our superseded Persian language still continues to be Arabo-Islamic (Farsi). Farsi is a hollow name; it does not fully represent our national identity or adapt to our future. Our culture along with our crippled Farsi is now constitutionally forced to take a further Arabo-Islamic allure, a project called “The Cultural Revolution”, planned since 1980 by the Mullahs’ regime.
The long-term objective of The Cultural Revolution is to root out any aspect of non-Islamic identity from the society by introducing a greater portion of Arabo-islamisation in our culture and language. It is to promote the existing “Farsi” into a pure Arabo-Islamic language. The process aims a negation of Iranians national identity--the case which was once imposed by Muslim Arabs, when they occupied Iran about fourteen centuries ago.
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran considers educational institutions based on Islamic principles and norms. The constitution does not tolerate any Persian identity in form and principle. The IRI’s constitution has implied this goal by saying, “since the language of the Koran and Islamic texts and teachings is Arabic, and since Persian literature is thoroughly permeated by this language, it must be taught after elementary level, in all classes of secondary school and in all areas of study.” Therefore, lesson of Arabic language and reading of the Koran will gain more compulsory character despite abhor of an increasing majority of students.
It is highly predictable that after the collapse of the IRI, Iranians will enthusiastically develop a popular trend of both de-Arabisation and de-Islamisation of whole Iranian space, including our language. The words, names, items, numbers, symbols, and all those which remind us of the era of humiliating Arabo-Islamisation will be spontaneously replaced with Persian or internationally established words.
After the fall of the IRI, we need appropriate reforms to free our language from the long Arabio-Islamic domination. A modernised language not only can revive our ancient and civilised culture, but also can effectively stop the backward effects of Arabo-Islamic culture from creeping back into people's daily lives.
While many languages around the world can be permanently and adaptively reformed and modernised, our current language, Farsi, has been used since the invasion of Islam in Iran as a cloak for the safeguard of Arabo-Islamic culture. Not only, this culture has been a launch pad to attack our Persian identity, but also has been practically crippled our attempts toward freedom, progress, gender equality since the advent of Islam in Iran.
No wonder, in a spirit of growing civil disobedience to the representatives of this backward culture in Iran, the Mullahs, and a trend of language reform spontaneously grows in Iranian youth. It challenges the unpopular Arabo-Islamic influence in our language. As spontaneous reactions, the young generation in Iran chooses non-Islamic names for children, learns Western languages instead of institutionalised Arabic, wears T-shirts with Latin writings on them, use a Latino-Persian on the internet. All these show the trend for an adaptive language.
On the one hand, a secular state in Iran will pass legislative proposals to ensure the task that our current language will be modernised and useful to our new society. On the other hand, modern-day methods of instantaneous communication and globalisation require fundamental need in a range of modern languages in order to create and maintain vibrant activities for the Iranian society. Therefore, after the IRI, parallel to restoration of Persian, a modern international second language must be highly promoted nationwide as a solid support for advanced education, research, computer use and adaptive modernisation in Iran. Both Persian and modern international language open one door of the continuing struggle for modernisation.
Let me emphasise, the reformed language has nothing to do with disregarding a part of our classic literature. In fact, no reformed language has taken away the worth of its classic literature. After modernisation of our language, our classic literature will be respected as a patrimony of our literature, but let me emphasise again that Islamic culture behind it has little chance to resist.
It is also clear that some people with religious or traditional backgrounds will try to delay the process of language modernisation. The long period of Arabo-Islamic domination over our people has left its debris behind. The indoctrination of religious values with the aim of mental retardation, especially during the rule of the IRI, will require a complete revamping.
Those Iranians who speak modern languages know better that our current language, in its current stagnation, is scientifically poor. In many domains of modern sciences, it is not sufficiently expressive. Developing a modern language in high levels of proficiency, particularly in higher education, will require significantly greater resources than are at hand. Our experts hopefully can focus on the study of development of our modern Persian. They may change or modify the words of many names and verbs to the pre-Islamic synonyms, but at least for the use of scientific terms, it seems more practical and easier to use their most common international words.
Iranian linguistics exerts have rich sources of pre-Islamic Persian to reform the daily language, but in the field of science, they should not complicate the language. In fact, a language is not only a coding system of communication, but also a bridge between thought and action. In other words, the way we talk can in turn influence the way we think. A rich and modern language can considerably improve our cognitive faculties, memory, mental ability, emotional expressions, behaviour, and even habits. The pivotal point is how to form a useful and productive language freed from the traditional burden and unnecessary complications.
All experiences show that the language we use gives way to Western languages. For example, the Iranian communities in the US or Europe can expect that only a small percentage of their children will be fluent in Persian. It is not however the case for Westerners living in Iran-- their children would speak their original language fluently. The reason is not only due to the country's official language but the fact that our language is not adapted to modern life. For example, children can not use Persian on the internet or for their modern toys.
The goal is to introduce a Persian language more Iranian, modern, precise and easier to learn. The alphabet we use is mainly Arabic; it does not cover all the sounds we pronounce in Farsi. Apart from some regions in Khuzestan and Kurdistan, most Iranians cannot phonetically pronounce all letters of the alphabet-- this is also one of the main reasons we have so many different accents and dialects in Iran.
Furthermore, apart from some ignored signs, we have no letters clearly representing some vowels. All of which turn the language more difficult and imprecise—a great number of Iranian high school students cannot write and read correctly.
Regarding the various problems of today’s language, a reform in alphabet is necessary, one which phonetically adjusts to the language. A further needed solution seems to be the introduction of an accessory alphabet for computer which is the language of future generation for sciences, researches and a spirit of modern and secular life.
An accessory alphabet should be worked out so that it harmonises the phonetic part to the written part. That is to say, we need an alphabet which correctly relates sounds to the written words. The new alphabet must solve the problems of vowels and consonants which are not phonetically pronounceable because they have Arabic origins that cannot be pronounced by the majority of Iranians.
In essence, the new alphabet must be simple and avoid composed letters and irregularities which appear in the history of any language. It should consider two main elements:
· The modernisation and adaptation of the society to the modern needs.
· The purification of our language from the backward Arabio-Islamic culture.
During the period of transformation, the old but reformed alphabet must be kept.
One of the main reforms of the post-IRI will deal with language. Our future democratic establishments should take care in rending language modern and attractive. Meanwhile, there should be little need for speakers or writers to waste time looking for words, terms, and expressions to mean objects or ideas. What is to be made of all of this? To ensure that a language remains the predominant way of communication, learning, and development we have to accept all necessary reforms.
Apart from an expected resistance from some Iranian grass-roots, traditionalists, and those who love the classic literature more than the future of country, there are some relics of the IRI who under any guise and trick will attempt to harm the process of reform. Contrary to the first group, they have belief and interest to rescue Islam even after the collapse of the IRI. For them a fundamental reform of our language is synonymous for a sinful violation to the values of Islam.
Considering all the problems with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the reality of the origin and conditions under which Islam was imposed on the Iranian people, it is legitimate to raise the question: How do we best bring an end to Arabo-Islamic ills in Iran after the fall of the IRI? Here, the question is not only about political secularism, but about de-Arabo-Islamisation of Iranian culture.
This must be fulfilled through a democratic process. It should not only be a turn of leaf in our history, but open a whole new chapter in our evolution and free us from the long and pernicious influence of Islam. Only through democratic process would it not only signal a new beginning and bring forth a new era, but also signify the Renaissance all Islamic world needs. Our fullest Renaissance will officially start when we get rid of the plague of the IRI. However some seeds of the Renaissance have spontaneously budded. One of them deals with our or Persian language.
But since such a democratic state does not exist yet, as much as we can, we, Iranians with some sense of responsibility, should try to restore Persian in our writings and verbal conversations. The conditions are at hand for Iranians, inside or outside, to start to introduce the demanded reform into the realm of our language. Thanks to the vast internet communication, the Iranian experts can help a growing segment of their audience to modernise and Persianise our language.
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To: U.N. Survey: Most
by Amazing (not verified) on Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:49 AM PSTTo: U.N. Survey: Most Iranians are Religious Muslims
Why do you keep posting the same thing over and over on this thread? Shak dari??? Obviously, you don't believe in what UN survey says otherwise you wouldn't have desparately repeated yourself like a broken record.
Your 2 cents & My dime!!!!
by ZebelTheRebel (not verified) on Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:28 AM PSTMr Rashidina,
May I humbly suggest you start this ill advised
revolution with your surname!!
"Rashid" Is an "Arabic" name after all.
It seems to me your first and foremost goal is something beyond language and you are using language as a tool.
I have ample doubts that you have anywhere near
enough experties to speak on this subject and frankly niether do I.
But let me tell you this. I consider myself a proud Iranian not because of the corrupted kings and kingdoms that have ruled and ravaged that land for centuries. My pride heavily hinges on the fact that I speak the same language that Hafez and Saadi and Molavi spoke. The language the culture, the dept and meaning that they left as a gift for humanity.
Now, you tell me you De"arab"itize Parsi language what is going to be left of it? Who are we without Hafez and Molavi anyway?
I suppose we appraoch this subject very thoughtfully and carefully. Your approach is very cavalier toward such delicate subject!!
To Jahanshah Rashidian, you really are too stupid
by Anonymous2231 (not verified) on Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:16 AM PSTyou're too stupid to talk, you have no idea what you're talking about and you just keep mumbling here on this website because you own it.
since you don't have the education and the knowledge to speak, do all of us a favor, just shut the F@#k up and let people more intelligent then you to talk.
Abadani
by Anonymous331 (not verified) on Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:09 AM PSTDear Abadani
Torks (azerbaijani turks) aslo dont have any problems with persians (we call you- fars).I have many persian friends too ,living in Iran and abroad.Persians are very kind people,we dont have any problems with them.The problem is official policy of Iranian Rejime.Iranian rejime is not racist like Pahlavis,but this rejime has also assimilative policy toward ethnic minorities.Why turkic is not taught in schools?Why turkic is not an official lanugauge of Azerbaijani regions?Iranian constitution gives such right to us,but ........
Persia never called PErsia for centruies,it s nonsense and rubbish.Since Sassanids.
Lets not talk about the history,it will not be efficient .As you know modern Iran ,and Iranian identity was established by Azerbaijani turks.And called not Iran but Mamlakate Qajar,Mamlakate Sefeviyye and etc.
We want more rights ,we want education in our own language at least.We want to express ourselves freely,without opression. We want federal Iran.
modern, precise and easier to learn...................
by Faribors Maleknasri M.D. (not verified) on Sun Feb 17, 2008 08:17 AM PST..........is not worth to be learned. what can be catched easily is not worth being catched. A easy girl, a easy job, a easy language, I think they are all the same. All easy! To be able to explain matters of high importance one can only use a comprehensively constructed language. Easy english, easy farsi and in general a easy-made language makes more misunderstandings. His majesty the last iranian shah wanted also to make the Farsi language easy. They wanted to change the alphabets. The question : what should happen to Saadi, Hafez, ferdoussi and all others? was answered with: They get all translated and rewritten. The Model was the turkish language with latin alphabet. However even the most primitive europians and americans know at least the fact: You can isolate the asylants and immigrants when you use dialectin daily speech. And they use it so offen as the want to demonstrate to the immigrant that She/he does not belong to thier area. Anyway all the world, east and west is looking up to Iran and the Litrature from iran in the genuine farsi. So I think better the farsi language with its all Unprice and uneasy expressions and figure of speech is kept as it is. Fortunately the ones who have the Decission do this way and iranians in the diaspora have thier difficulties as well as the strangers. Greeting
Most Iranians are Religious Muslims According to U.N. Survey
by U.N. Survey: Most Iranians are Religious Muslims (not verified) on Sun Feb 17, 2008 02:12 AM PSTBy far, most Iranians are religious, observant, practicing Muslims (who perform daily prayers, fast in the month Ramadan, and honor Muhammad). This is according to the World Values Survey, conducted by the United Nations.
Islam is simply part of the Iranian heritage. Iranian philosophy is Islamic philosophy. Pre-modern Iranian literature is about 90% religiously inspired literature. How many extant philosphical works from the pre-Islamic period can you name? How many extant medical works from the pre-Islamic era can you name? How many books of poetry from the pre-Islamic era can you name?
Historically, Iran has been a cultural melting pot, and it has been open to influences from Islam, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, etc. And this is reflected in Iranian philosophy and culture. Indisputably, the biggest contribution is from Islam. Do not assume that all Iranians are like the ultra-nationalists (chauvinist, Persian supremacists) you happen to have surrounded yourself with.
by Iraniam
by Jahanshah Rashidian on Sun Feb 17, 2008 01:02 AM PSTWhen you wake up, please drink a cup of coffee or tee, then, this time post a new sober comment.
I replied your past comments, which deemed to be less lethargic.
Have a good day!
There is not such a language called Azeri!!!
by SattarHan (not verified) on Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:54 AM PSTESQ OLSUN Aydin Bey!!!
Sorry,i agree with you,its my mistake.
We are Azerbaijanis!!!!
But again i am not optimistic concerning the future of my language.Language is a core of national identity,without knowing it well we are not able to improve our culture,as well as identity.
I would like to remind you again that in Iran Turkic is perceived as barbaric,rude language!!!
First of all it must be changed.
Yashasin Azerbaycan.
P.S Burda basqa bir Azerbaycanlini gormek cox xosdur )))
There is not such a language called Azeri!!!
by SattarHan (not verified) on Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:47 AM PSTESQ OLSUN Aydin Bey!!!
Sorry,i agree with you,its my mistake.
We are Azerbaijanis!!!!
But again i am not optimistic concerning the future of my language.Language is a core of national identity,without knowing it well we are not able to improve our culture,as well as identity.
I would like to remind you again that in Iran Turkic is perceived as barbaric,rude language!!!
First of all it must be changed.
Yashasin Azerbaycan.
P.S Burda basqa bir Azerbaycanlini gormek cox xosdur )))
Abadani
by Jahanshah Rashidian on Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:28 AM PSTThanks for your instructive contributions.
As I also mentioned in my article, a language reform requires time and a democratic process.
In your comments, you described this transformation through a “middle road”. A forceful reform may turn the direction to its opposite momentum , as it was the case in some Muslim Republics of ex-USSR—a Stalinist forceful secularisation in 1930th resulted today into a nostalgia for Islam and traditions, where we see the mushroom of some fundamentalist and Islamist trends in Caucasian.
If I use the term “language purification”, it should not be assimilated with immoral “ethnic purification”--I tried to develop a conscious awareness, a sense of unbiased orientation to the future of our country,while avoiding an inflammatory feeling of nationalism, chauvinism, racism, and xenophobia.
Let’s me add this idea that if Islamic identity served before 19th century by the Muslim elites that religious awareness and spiritual development were necessary for the social mobility of the Muslim population in colonised countries, today the growing idea reaches to another paradigm-shift: Islam as a political tool has been and remains itself the worst colonial power. As some other commenters like Kamangir, Surna, Anonymous... differenly hinted, this Islam is the only plague that is today our main problem.
I pesonally do not mind about people's religions or interpretation of our being. The point is, nothing in the realm of violence, jiahd, and political Islam has the right to exist.
Re: JR considers himself Iranian
by Iraniam (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:47 PM PSTJust take a look at yourself: Neither your look nor your writings and brain sounds Iranian. You are deeply westernized. You do not radiate any scent of Irani culture. If you don't believe me, just go to Iran and compare yourself to real Iranians there.
Sit in front of mirror and lok at yourself. See if you see a real Irani image. So, what do you want from a "feast of dirt" called Iran? What plans do you have for her? You are a lond LOST Identity.
Relocation of Arab tribes
by Kamangir on Sat Feb 16, 2008 09:10 PM PSTAfter the fall of the Sassanid empire, in the following centuries many Arabic tribes were relocated from Arabia and stablished all over Persia, specially in the central plateau and in Khorasan area. This was done in order to subdue the Persian resistance as these arab tribes and subjects had all the rights and previligies whereas the Persian or 'ajam' were just third class individuals. The Arabic language became the only one allowed in public. All Persian customs and events were banned, including Nourooz and many other now dissapeard Iranian festivities. It was after the arrival and stablishment of these tribes that the racial mixing between the Persian and Arabs really took place, something quite noticeable today. Therefore, the Arabic language entered Iran by force and was forced upon the Persian by force. The duality of the Iranian character can be directly traced back to those times where a foreign and very different way of life forced itself upon the Persians.
Our language is our identity and we can gardually clean (yes clean!) our Persian language from its arabic elements, although the IRI is doing the opposite. What you see in Iran nowadays is the continuation of that old fight between the real Persians and the descendants of the Arabs who colonized Iran.
Zende bad Iran and Persians
Ba sepas
Kamangir
Mr Rashidian: Did we ask this question
by Shoshi (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 07:11 PM PSTOr have we had such concerns during Pahlavi's ear? I still don't understand what Farsi has to do with Arabs and Islam.
Most Iranians are Religious Muslims According to U.N. Survey
by U.N. Survey: Most Iranians are Religious Muslims (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 07:06 PM PSTBy far, most Iranians are religious, observant, practicing Muslims (who perform daily prayers, fast in the month Ramadan, and honor Muhammad). This is according to the World Values Survey, conducted by the United Nations.
Islam is simply part of the Iranian heritage. Iranian philosophy is Islamic philosophy. Pre-modern Iranian literature is about 90% religiously inspired literature. How many extant philosphical works from the pre-Islamic period can you name? How many extant medical works from the pre-Islamic era can you name? How many books of poetry from the pre-Islamic era can you name?
Historically, Iran has been a cultural melting pot, and it has been open to influences from Islam, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, etc. And this is reflected in Iranian philosophy and culture. Indisputably, the biggest contribution is from Islam. Do not assume that all Iranians are like the ultra-nationalists (chauvinist, Persian supremacists) you happen to have surrounded yourself with.
Mr Rashidian please stick to politics
by Critic (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 05:10 PM PSTYou are so totally ill-equipped to comment on this issue as it is clearly obvious from your writing. If you had a modicum of linguistic knowledge about the Persian grammar and etymology of the Persian language you wouldn't have made such a laughable suggestion. Sorry I don't mean to humiliate you but there was no better way of expressing myself.
Politics, however, is a field where you needn't adhere to any rules or structure. Even "you" can be an expert there!
great article
by MRX1 (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 03:34 PM PSTI share the same concern with a writer of this article. I have seen some efforts by Iranians trying to reform the language and the alphabet out side of Iran. it's not enough but it's an start. hopefully after collaps of IRI we can speed up this process.
Dear Farhad2008: I have
by Dear Farhad2008 (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 03:33 PM PSTDear Farhad2008: I have nothing against Arabs. We're talking about how Arabs (both shia and sunni) view Iranians...especially in recent years. because of what the Islamic Republic has been doing to Sunnis in Iraq; Palestinian Iraqis; Lebanon, and Bahrain, etc. More than 3 million sunni Iraqi refugees blame the Islamic Republic...please try to visit Arab blog and read Arab news. ultimately, All of this adventurism, fomenting sectarian rivalarlies, is going to hurt Iran and Iranians not the mullahs and their families
//www.sahafa.com/NewspapersandMagazines.aspx
//www.raghidadergham.com/4rdarticles.html (she is Lebanese)
//angryarab.blogspot.com
comments
by Farhad2008 (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 03:08 PM PSTI’ve read your comments. Let me ask you who are burning flags for Mohammad caricatures? Arabs? No! Pakistanis! they are not Arabs! Israel use propaganda against Arab-, which is not Iranian case! Who gave Islam to Europe in modern time, Arabs? No, Turks! Arabs was been under colony of Europeans in many yrs. Now time has changed and there’re a number of European Muslims and Americans and they will be more and more.
When it’s about Iran, its true that more than 1000 yrs Iran haven’t been in any war with Arabs. Mullahs are not Arabs! They have been in war with Arabs! West considers Iranian as Arabs, and not Arabs.
What can we do? How would you define our identity? Are we Jews? Or Christians? What would be different? All them are Semitic religions and have the same story. European became Christians and Iranian Muslims. What’s different? Actually I’ve met both good & bad People who are Arabs. Why should I hate Arabs, because Khomeini with western support made a revolution? What Arabs has done to Iran? Arabs has not resource (like Israel / West) to destroy Iran, so stop talking about Arabs. Arabs has done nothing to change Persian to Farsi in western literature.
Amazing: who could be the west ideological enemy if Mullah wasn’t in Iran? And the West support to keep this regime until they find other ideological enemy. I don’t care about Israel I’m an Iranian. Only Iranian Jews consider themselves as Jew and then Iranian. Iranian Muslims consider themselves as Iranian and then Muslims.
Most Iranians are Religious Muslims According to U.N. Survey
by U.N. Survey: Most Iranians are Religious Muslims (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 02:19 PM PSTBy far, most Iranians are religious, observant, practicing Muslims (who perform daily prayers, fast in the month Ramadan, and honor Muhammad). This is according to the World Values Survey, conducted by the United Nations.
Islam is simply part of the Iranian heritage. Iranian philosophy is Islamic philosophy. Pre-modern Iranian literature is about 90% religiously inspired literature. How many extant philosphical works from the pre-Islamic period can you name? How many extant medical works from the pre-Islamic era can you name? How many books of poetry from the pre-Islamic era can you name?
Historically, Iran has been a cultural melting pot, and it has been open to influences from Islam, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, etc. And this is reflected in Iranian philosophy and culture. Indisputably, the biggest contribution is from Islam. Do not assume that all Iranians are like the ultra-nationalists (chauvinist, Persian supremacists) you happen to have surrounded yourself with.
Aydin jaan, Most of my
by Abadani (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 01:32 PM PSTAydin jaan,
Most of my friends who are Torks (or Azaris), call themselves Iranians and ethnically "Tork". A few call themseleves "Azari". Whatever they want to call themslaves that's fine. A friend who calls herself "Tork" was lamenting of Reza shah's ploicies which went overboard in those years. But I hope you are well aware that Iranians as a whole, and obviously, have no problems with your ethnicity and nor your ethnic language.
This name of Azarbaijan and Azari is also abused for political purposes and against Iranians as a whole. The Russians started it in the early 20th century by changing the name of the area of Iran that they forcefully took from Iran and started calling it "Azarbaijan". Now it is the new country of "Azerbaijan".
People of any country in the world are called by one name for it. It doesn't mean that all the citizens of that country are ethnically or linguistically from the same background. Nations, the majority of them, select one language as their national language, this does not equate to not recognizing other existing languages in those countries. And they call their country by one name for the sake of unity. Examples "American", "English" and so on (not all Americans are Portugese or from a Portugese background, and not all English are Anglo only or from that background). For the sake of the unity of the country they use one name. In the case of Iran as you know its a very very old nation and I don't have any problems with it being called Iran. And please bear in mind that I have not gone into any laboratory to see what racial and ethnic genetic make-up I personal have. It doesn't matter (case in point, again, "American").
During the years that I lived in Iran (and also in my adult years) I never saw a racial divide among people as a whole (sure there are a minorty of ignorants everywhere and in every country). Friends who were and are Tork are as dear as any frieds who are from other Iranian backgrounds. And during the years in my life abroad I never sensed any prevailing racist positions among Iranians. That is why you see that marriages among Iranians were never based on ethnic lines, at least the distinct majority weren't (I'm sure you have had the same observations in your family or the family of your firends). And this has been the case for a very very long time. It's part of the Iranian character as a whole, and its ancient.
On the country of "Persia", this what Iran has been called for thousands of years in other countries (well most of them haven't existed for 'thousands of years', for centuries). It encompassed * all * Iranians and it didn't mean all Iranians are ethnically the same. Now the name of the country is officially and internationally Iran (and it doesn't mean all Iranians are racially and ethnically from an Aryan background either, let's put the approximate percentages aside for it is irrelvant). We should be aware of this, and if anyone is curious we can explain it and inform them.
We all have more in common that we can build on and live with together, as we have done for a very long time, and be mindful of not falling in the trap of ignorant divisions, and also some who try to maintain and expand it based on political reasons from abroad which is aimed at hurting Iranians, for that doesn't help anyone.
What planet do you live on
by Amazing (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 01:24 PM PSTWhat planet do you live on Farhad 2008???
And certainly, the Sunnis in Iraq and Lebanon, Egypt, Kwait, Bahrain, don't agree with your statement that the Iranians have not been at war with Arabs. You need to educate yourself. Please visit some arab blogs to find out how Arabs feel about Iranian, Safavid.
//www.al-moharer.net/iraqi_files/iraq_iran_co...
The Iranian Regime joined Hezbollah and vowed the destruction of Israel today.
Fars News reported:
A senior Iranian commander said that billions of the oppressed and justice-seeking people worldwide will soon be filled with much joy and happiness when they hear the news of the eventual victory of Islam over the devilish front of Zionism.
In a message to the Lebanese Hezbollah Secretary General Seyed Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday, commander of the General Staff of Iran's armed forces Major General Hassan Firoozabadi expressed his condolences to the Hezbollah chief on the martyrdom of the group's senior commander, Imad Mughniyeh in a car bomb in Damascus on Tuesday.
He further blasted the Israeli regime for Mughniyeh's assassination, and said that the measure was adopted by the Zionist regime in order to take revenge for its humiliating defeat during the 33-day war on Lebanon in summer 2006...
"And the hearts of several billion oppressed and right-supporting people worldwide will soon be filled with overwhelming joy and happiness when they hear the news of the final victory of the front of Islam and destruction of the devilish front of Zionism," the General reiterated.
Gee! How many times have heard Iranian leaders say that they are going to eliminate Israel over the last year? A dozen times? More?
//www.farsnews.com/English/newstext.php?nn=86...
Zionist-Jews, and Israelis just want to be left alone...and they have never threatned Iran. You're spewing vacuous misinformation.
I'm neither Jewish or Arab and have no dog in this fight. I only care about Iran not Islam. Iran and Islam's interests are not one and the same.
Persian
by Surna (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 01:15 PM PSTWell said by Anonymousoo. It is not just about the Persian culture. The Arab destroyed so many beautiful cultures/languages around world. At least we kept a small portion of ours. We have to revive our heritage in order to effectively move forward with technology and modernity. It is so interesting to talk with a typical Arab from UAE or Saudi and test their allegiance to their custom/culture/language. We accept the fact that they must be so fanatics in protecting their convoluted system. However, the moment an Aryan talk about his culture the tendency is to label him/her as raciest. look at Cyrus the Great who included over twenty different cultures in his Empire and himself was a half Persian (from father side)and never converted anybody to a Persian way of living. Most empires have not converted or destroyed other cultures like: Persian, Romans, Mongol, Ottoman, and Russian. The only tribes who insisted on destroying other cultures were Arab and British.
By the way, Surna was a Parthian general of second Persian Empire, who lasted over 470 years, under the Orod the thirteen Ashk, who defeated the barbarian of Rome.
Long live the land of Aryan
Reply: ISlam Bein wrappend in
by Farhad2008 (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 01:02 PM PSTI dont think irans biggest problems, are arabs.. Israel is more dang. to Iran than arabs. Iran has NOT been in any war with arabs in 13 centuries, until 1980! and it was a war with Iraq not all arabs!
What you say is like asking european how christionary came to europe? Of course With force! Changing persian to farsi was not Arabs wordk! it happened in US. Why having such a hatefull attitude to arabs..we should love all humankind.. also semetics like arabs and jews:)
To Persian: Persian is orginally Parsi, not Farsi ( according ferdosi)....we cant use jews lang. to johoodi as we cant say farsi to Persian. In this case the same ting would happen to all other languages Dutch to Germany, Svenska to swedish, but when only Farsi changed to Perian then ..
There is not such a language called Azeri
by Aydin (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:32 PM PSTMr. Sattarhan , our language is Turkish not Azeri.To distinguish it from other Turkish languages which are spoken in Turkey , Turkemenistan,.. you can refer to it as Azeri Turkish. Azeri term was invented in Fascist Reza Khan era to destroy our Turkic identity and to execute their chovounistic policy of creating a nation in Iran with just one ethnic ,one language (Persian).
nowdays majority of Azerbaijanies in Iran are more concerned about their identity and their language(specially after that offensive cartoon). So , be optimistic about the future of turkic language in Iran and contribute to awakening people and promoting this rich and beautiful language.We are gonna persuade chovounist and arrogant persians that Iran is not equal to Persian and as much as they like and care about their langauge we Azerbaycanies love and care about our labguage and culture and TURKIC identity.
Yashasin Azerbaican
I see as usual, this topic
by Abadani (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:25 PM PSTI see as usual, this topic got railraoded by some, into the land of extremes. And of course some taking advantage and try to create more division and hatred among Iranians, also. As for the comments by the writer of this thread, it requires a lengthy response and explanation which I for one am not going to make. However here are some thoughts.
Extreme positions, any and all of them, do not help, but hurt. “Persian” (the name of a specific language in English), should be kept out of such harming positions. This name does not imply one is against such and such or is for another extreme position. Many who do not want this name to be changed are not of extreme positions, the distinct majority are not “ultra-nationalists”, as a matter of fact they are people who do not let emotions to the extreme affect their thought process and opinion. Such has been the case of many renowned scholars who wrote their opinion on this topic, and they are from different Iranian ethnic backgrounds. On this topic, I think there exists an innocent misunderstanding for some in the Iranian-American community.
On the alphabet, in my opinion to change the alphabet lends itself to more harm than good, and therefore I disagree with it. I do not think your reasoning is based on common sense, I think it is affected by your ideology and political views. Also, many Iranians are devout muslims and would disagree with any such change (and they are the majority, regardless if anyone here likes it or not, it is a fact). Forceful actions as a general rule, by their nature receive a forceful reaction. An example, the forceful unveiling of women in Iran, and then later the forceful veil laws for women in Iran.
Perhaps, there is some value for the middle road, in life.
And here’s my thoughts on two comments made by the writer:
1. Quote “Those Iranians who speak modern languages know better that our current language, in its current stagnation, is scientifically poor. In many domains of modern sciences, it is not sufficiently expressive. Developing a modern language in high levels of proficiency, particularly in higher education, will require significantly greater resources than are at hand.” J.
I respectfully do not consider this a convincing argument to go to any extreme, in changing words or changing the alphabet as a whole. The reason it is scientifically poor with new scientific names is because there has been an inadequate effort in creating new names (just like how it is consistently done in English and some other languages). How old are the nouns helicopter, supersonic, satellite, submarine, beltway, and thousands of other new names in the English language? All are less than 100 years old. They are made (created) as a necessity, and most times just on a whim and very simply. There isn’t any strong reasoning as to how they are created. This is not the problem with Persian, the problem stems from not recognizing the importance of this matter, and the lack of a consistent effort in creating new names for new scientific applications and purposes. Yes one sees some new words, raayaaneh, narmafzaar etc., but more recognition and effort is required for this issue.
2. Quote “In essence, the new alphabet must be simple and avoid composed letters and irregularities which appear in the history of any language. It should consider two main elements:
• The modernisation and adaptation of the society to the modern needs.
• The purification of our language from the backward Arabio-Islamic culture.” J.
If the alphabet is changed it will cut off people from many centuires of their past. I disagree with this for it is very harmful. I also am of the opinion that the possibility of this ever happening in Iran is close to none. I disagree with your specific manner of “purification” for I consider it very reactionary and on the extreme, I think it is affecting your opinion on this topic. Case in point, somewhere in your opinion you mentioned anyone who refers to past literary masters for the reason for not changing the alphabet, and/or not being able to read the holy Koran are using it as an excuse and belong to such and such positions and/or views. This statement too, was very illogical and on the extreme (it sounded like a deliberate intimidating and hushing tactic). Any language requires one to learn it, the same is true for the English language. The English language has its own specific idiosyncratic characters. Modern Persian has Arabic in it, yes I agree if we have words that are closer to Iranians, maybe they should be used more. Delaavar or beebaak for rashid and shojaa (whereas rashid and shojaa are also in the Persian language and are used). To use naam more for esm, these are reasonable, but to deliberately try to go and change all words into something alien and new and to cut off the past, I like many disagree with.
The middle road, not the extremes, is the most beneficial and helpful.
And for what it's worth, my position is sincerely not for the sake of any political, ethnic, religious, or ideological influences and preferences. It's just based on common sense and what I think is best for Iranians.
……
Ahvazi, my tone in my previous comment was wrong and my apologies. : )
Islam being wrapped in
by Anonymousoo (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:26 AM PSTIslam being wrapped in deception as a spiritual dogma or religion or ideology is more dangerous than Nazism, Communisms, and Fascism of any other kind.
Because unlike non-religious dogmas and other totalitarian systems, the emotional and the so-called spiritual appeal of this fanaticism (infidel vs. ummah, God’s Devine Agents and rulers on earth, blind faith to authoritarian clergy and their dogma) is pervasive and a potent and a dangerous brew that lasts centuries (as we have seen) and we see the end results in every Muslim country. And that is precisely why no other power good or bad has been able to penetrate this pestilence brought about by a bunch of Bedouins.
Iran and all other "Arab" states - including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, as well as the entity under the Palestinian Authority - were originally non-Arab nations that were conquered by the Muslim Arabs when they spread out from the Arabian peninsula in the first great wave of jihad in the 7th century, defeating, killing, enslaving, dispossessing, converting, or reducing to the lowly status of dhimmitude millions of Christians and Jews, Zoroastrian exodus to India, and destroying their language (Phoenicians in Lebanon didn't speak Arabic)(Iran is the only country that was able to sustain its own language thanks to our brave poet, Ferdowsi) ancient and flourishing civilizations.
Prior to being Christian, of course, these lands had even more ancient histories. Phraonic Egypt, for example, was not an Arab country through its 3,000-year history.
We need to work on Islamic de-colonization of mind and souls and identify the devastating Pathological affect of this totalitarian ideology
Indisputably, the biggest
by Anonymous on Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:03 AM PSTIndisputably, the biggest contribution is from Islam.
Dear Islamist-Jihadist brother: Did you learn this information in seminary in Quom?
The Islamic-Arab conquerors because of the savagery and all the land grabbing ,and lootings of the treasury of other civilizations had the capital to hire non-arab scholars and invest in art, science, literature, etc. Non-Arabs even Jews (e.g. the great jewish philosopher, Mamonaidis wrote in Arabic) had to write in Arabic to get paid because they were dihmmis under the mercy of Islamic Caliphate.
//plato.stanford.edu/entries/maimonides/
The non-arabs have contributed to civilization and the Islamic world despite Islam not because of it. Unfortunately, in the great tradition of Taqiya, most Islamist-Arabs would lie and call those scholars "Islamic"..
Exposing the Myth of an Islamic Golden Age
//www.americanthinker.com/2006/06/islam_chris...
The Myth of the Golden Age of Tolerance in Medieval Muslim Spain
//www.newenglishreview.org/custpage.cfm?frm=4...
Somehow related
by Kamangir on Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:50 AM PST//www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2F3yDPTN7Q&mode=related&search
Response to Arabzadeh!
by Immortal Guard (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:46 AM PSTHey Arabzadeh we Persians are real men. We fought the Arabs represented by Iraq in a long war despite sanctions. Right now not only Iraq but Lebanon and to some extent Syria are under our Persian boots.
I know of some rich people who suck Arabs and pay them on top of that and they have got the nerve to call us Arabs. They are only anatomically male and are nothing but rich pussies.
They ain't got any balls to fight the Arabs. Their appeasement of Arabs is like Chamberlain's appeasement of Hitler. It won't get them anywhere.
At the end of the day they will end up conceding all they have if they don't wake up!
Persian Ok!! What About Azeri?
by SattarHan (not verified) on Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:17 AM PSTSure,Farsi is not correct.
I agree with Mrs Jahanshah.As an ethnic Azeri i am worring about the my own language.Apart from the persian azeri is not taught in schools.Many azeris even dont know write and speak correctly.Personally i am not optimistic about the future of Azeri language!!!
I am even not talking about the academic language,there lack of scienctific terms.
So we must also think about all citizens of Iran,and create equal environment for every language.