Now we all know that "Farsi" is the name of the language when speaking the language.
However, when you are speaking English instead, is it appropriate to use "Farsi" as well in an English sentence or should you use the word "Persian" only?
I think that many of you might find this article interesting, it speaks about the difference between using the word "Persian" and using the word "Farsi" when referring to our language in English.
Quote:
PERSIAN NOT FARSI
As well as being a linguistic nonsense, it has culturally undermining effects to use the word "Farsi" rather than "Persian".
Linguistically, it is widely accepted that native speakers and foreigners use different words to describe the same language. Alex Bellem from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, observes43: ―If we insist on 'Farsi' then shouldn't we insist also on ‗Türkče‘ or ‗Español‘ or ‗Elinici‘,, and so on? Since it is accepted in linguistics as natural that non-native words are adapted to conform to the phonology of the borrowing language (perhaps via an intermediate 'conveyor' language), can we object to 'Persian' on linguistic grounds?‖
Joseph Bell, Professor of Arabic and Middle-Eastern Languages and Cultures at the University of Bergen in Norway is stronger in his condemnation44: ―No one would seriously consider substituting Deutschland for Germany, or Deutsch/Deutscher for German in English. ‗Deutschland‘ exists, of course, in English, but with connotations for which a high price was paid . . But to use the word [Farsi] as the normal term for the national language of Iran has to be classified as one of the greatest affronts to great cultures in our time.‖
He goes on to examine the negative cultural implications of the usage of this term45: ―Saying Farsi instead of Persian robs the language and the culture of all the sense of splendor the name Persian has taken on in western languages through two and a half millennia of war, trade, religious and cultural influence, and other forms of confrontation or subtle interaction‖.
This is underlined by the Academy of Persian Language and Literature (Farhangestān-e Zabān va Adab-e Fārsī) in Iran which clearly advocates the use of the word ‗Persian‘ not ‗Farsi‘46: ―Persian has been used in a variety of publications including cultural, scientific and diplomatic documents for centuries and therefore it connotes very significant and cultural meanings. Hence changing Persian to Farsi is to negate these important established precedents. Changing Persian to Farsi may give the impression that it is a new language, and this may well be the intention of some Persian users.‖
Hossein Samei, Linguistics Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, argues that47: ―Persian, alongside the name of a language, may be used as an adjective for the other aspects of our history and culture. For example, we can speak about ‗Persian Literature‘, ‗Persian Gulf‘, ‗Persian Carpet‘, ‗Persian Food‘. In this way, ‗Persian‘ may be [seen as] a common concept and function as a link between all aspects of Iranian life, including language. ‗Farsi‘ does not have such a characteristic‖.
Franklin Lewis, Professor of Persian Language & Literature at University of Chicago, reaffirms48: ―As there is no such thing as Farsi carpets, Farsi literature, Farsi cats, Farsi food, etc., it seems rather ridiculous to use this English neologism as a general adjective for the language‖.
Hossein Nasr, Professor of Persian literature at George Washington University in the US, asserts that49: ―The synthesis of Persian culture has not changed with the Iranian revolution . . . classical Persian culture, philosophy and religious thought are still intact . . ‖. He also suggests that: ―Persians are aware of their uniqueness in the Islamic world‖. The use of the word ‗Farsi‘, however, dilutes this distinctive quality and undermines Iranian culture.
Kamyar Abdi, Professor of Anthropology at Dartmouth College in the US, emphasises the importance of the Persian language and its association with Iranian national identity and unity50: ―Perhaps the most vital factor in this cultural continuity and the hallmark of Iranian national identity is the Persian language. Having been used in Iran at least since the time of Achaemenids in the sixth century B.C.E., the Persian language has assumed a distinctive Iranian character and become intertwined with Iranian national identity and unity. Not surprisingly, in recent times the Persian language has been one of the most important contexts in which Iranian nationalism has flourished‖.
Professor Ehsan Yarshater, the Editor of Encyclopaedia Iranica, hammers the point home51:
―[The word ‗Farsi‘] has no foundation in the English language and its relationship to the identity of Iranian civilisation and culture – as reflected in phrases such as ‗Persian literature‘, ‗Persian art‘ and ‗Persian poetry‘ – is not at all clear . . .As well as the linguistic points, when the word Farsi is used in English for the Persian language, it ignores all the positive cultural connotations of the word Persian.‖
As well as being a linguistic nonsense, it has culturally undermining effects to use the word "Farsi" rather than "Persian".
Linguistically, it is widely accepted that native speakers and foreigners use different words to describe the same language. Alex Bellem from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, observes43: ―If we insist on 'Farsi' then shouldn't we insist also on ‗Türkče‘ or ‗Español‘ or ‗Elinici‘,, and so on? Since it is accepted in linguistics as natural that non-native words are adapted to conform to the phonology of the borrowing language (perhaps via an intermediate 'conveyor' language), can we object to 'Persian' on linguistic grounds?‖
Joseph Bell, Professor of Arabic and Middle-Eastern Languages and Cultures at the University of Bergen in Norway is stronger in his condemnation44: ―No one would seriously consider substituting Deutschland for Germany, or Deutsch/Deutscher for German in English. ‗Deutschland‘ exists, of course, in English, but with connotations for which a high price was paid . . But to use the word [Farsi] as the normal term for the national language of Iran has to be classified as one of the greatest affronts to great cultures in our time.‖
He goes on to examine the negative cultural implications of the usage of this term45: ―Saying Farsi instead of Persian robs the language and the culture of all the sense of splendor the name Persian has taken on in western languages through two and a half millennia of war, trade, religious and cultural influence, and other forms of confrontation or subtle interaction‖.
This is underlined by the Academy of Persian Language and Literature (Farhangestān-e Zabān va Adab-e Fārsī) in Iran which clearly advocates the use of the word ‗Persian‘ not ‗Farsi‘46: ―Persian has been used in a variety of publications including cultural, scientific and diplomatic documents for centuries and therefore it connotes very significant and cultural meanings. Hence changing Persian to Farsi is to negate these important established precedents. Changing Persian to Farsi may give the impression that it is a new language, and this may well be the intention of some Persian users.‖
Hossein Samei, Linguistics Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, argues that47: ―Persian, alongside the name of a language, may be used as an adjective for the other aspects of our history and culture. For example, we can speak about ‗Persian Literature‘, ‗Persian Gulf‘, ‗Persian Carpet‘, ‗Persian Food‘. In this way, ‗Persian‘ may be [seen as] a common concept and function as a link between all aspects of Iranian life, including language. ‗Farsi‘ does not have such a characteristic‖.
Franklin Lewis, Professor of Persian Language & Literature at University of Chicago, reaffirms48: ―As there is no such thing as Farsi carpets, Farsi literature, Farsi cats, Farsi food, etc., it seems rather ridiculous to use this English neologism as a general adjective for the language‖.
Hossein Nasr, Professor of Persian literature at George Washington University in the US, asserts that49: ―The synthesis of Persian culture has not changed with the Iranian revolution . . . classical Persian culture, philosophy and religious thought are still intact . . ‖. He also suggests that: ―Persians are aware of their uniqueness in the Islamic world‖. The use of the word ‗Farsi‘, however, dilutes this distinctive quality and undermines Iranian culture.
Kamyar Abdi, Professor of Anthropology at Dartmouth College in the US, emphasises the importance of the Persian language and its association with Iranian national identity and unity50: ―Perhaps the most vital factor in this cultural continuity and the hallmark of Iranian national identity is the Persian language. Having been used in Iran at least since the time of Achaemenids in the sixth century B.C.E., the Persian language has assumed a distinctive Iranian character and become intertwined with Iranian national identity and unity. Not surprisingly, in recent times the Persian language has been one of the most important contexts in which Iranian nationalism has flourished‖.
Professor Ehsan Yarshater, the Editor of Encyclopaedia Iranica, hammers the point home51:
―[The word ‗Farsi‘] has no foundation in the English language and its relationship to the identity of Iranian civilisation and culture – as reflected in phrases such as ‗Persian literature‘, ‗Persian art‘ and ‗Persian poetry‘ – is not at all clear . . .As well as the linguistic points, when the word Farsi is used in English for the Persian language, it ignores all the positive cultural connotations of the word Persian.‖
The above text is taken from here (pdf). If you are interested in this subject then there is a lot more to read in that link.
What do you think about this? When speaking English, do you refer to our language as "Persian" or "Farsi"?
Did this article have an impact on you?
