- -
+-We find our way to a hostel in Kampala called Bushpig (a good backpacker’s hostel) and from there we take a walk to exchange some money for Ugandan shillings but on the way we get stopped by police who is sitting beside a kiosk and they start shouting at us why are you smoking in the public since my friend was smoking turns out smoking in public is illegal in Uganda and you can be charged for now in this case as I had anticipated they actually wanted a bribe and didn’t really want to take us to be charged legally. In this case we end up paying $100 which is a lot of money specially in Uganda to get away from the situation boards afterwards after talking to an expat from Canada who was living in Uganda for nine years he said that you could have got away with 40,000 shillings which is about $10-$15 in this case we were afraid that they might actually take us to be charged and we didn’t want that to happen. The advice from the expat was that once you give them a little bit of money then you can just leave because if they try to stop you and actually take you to court or something then you can counter them by saying that they took a bribe and in reality they really just want to a bribe, they do not really want to act on the law. +We find our way to a hostel in Kampala called Bushpig (a good backpacker’s +hostel) and from there we take a walk to exchange some money for Ugandan +shillings but on the way we get stopped by police who is sitting beside a kiosk +and they start shouting at us why are you smoking in the public since my friend +was smoking turns out smoking in public is illegal in Uganda and you can be +charged for now in this case as I had anticipated they actually wanted a bribe +and didn’t really want to take us to be charged legally. In this case we end up +paying $100 which is a lot of money specially in Uganda to get away from the +situation boards afterwards after talking to an expat from Canada who was living +in Uganda for nine years he said that you could have got away with 40,000 +shillings which is about $10-$15 in this case we were afraid that they might +actually take us to be charged and we didn’t want that to happen. The advice +from the expat was that once you give them a little bit of money then you can +just leave because if they try to stop you and actually take you to court or +something then you can counter them by saying that they took a bribe and in +reality they really just want to a bribe, they do not really want to act on the +law. -We were going to have transport from Kabale to a lodge in a village close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rubuguri village. When we asked our contact he said $150 per person, however after haggling and clarifying that we want to do a budget trip, we ended up with the price of $35 per person! This price was not exactly the same service of a full private-car hire from Kampala to Rubuguri, instead we would take the private car to Kabale town, a town close to Rubuguri, and from there we would take a boda boda (Mororcycle taxi) to Rubuguri. This boda boda leg of the trip was not easy, but we were happy to do it even if hard. +We were going to have transport from Kabale to a lodge in a village close to +Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rubuguri village. When we asked our contact +he said $150 per person, however after haggling and clarifying that we want to +do a budget trip, we ended up with the price of $35 per person! This price was +not exactly the same service of a full private-car hire from Kampala to +Rubuguri, instead we would take the private car to Kabale town, a town close to +Rubuguri, and from there we would take a boda boda (Mororcycle taxi) to +Rubuguri. This boda boda leg of the trip was not easy, but we were happy to do +it even if hard. -The lesson is, make sure you clarify you are not going to pay for “luxuries” if that’s what you want, and haggle until you get a sensible price. +The lesson is, make sure you clarify you are not going to pay for “luxuries” if +that’s what you want, and haggle until you get a sensible price. -We went to the art craft market in Kampala, which was amazing, and bought some Ugandan crafts and some Congolese masks. If we had more space we would buy even more of the masks, they are amazing! +We went to the art craft market in Kampala, which was amazing, and bought some +Ugandan crafts and some Congolese masks. If we had more space we would buy even +more of the masks, they are amazing!  # Road to Rubuguri -We had already seen Ugandan driving in Kampala, which in a way is similar to Iranian driving but I would say a bit worse and challenging, but we saw more of it on the way with trucks coming towards us on the our lane and motorcyclists going in all directions. +We had already seen Ugandan driving in Kampala, which in a way is similar to +Iranian driving but I would say a bit worse and challenging, but we saw more of +it on the way with trucks coming towards us on the our lane and motorcyclists +going in all directions. -On the road to Rubuguri our car had a small failure and we stopped in a roadside town to get it sorted by a mechanic. While we were stopped for that, two young boys who also worked with the mechanic came to me and told me I look like Mohammad Salah the football player because I have a beard. 😂 +On the road to Rubuguri our car had a small failure and we stopped in a roadside +town to get it sorted by a mechanic. While we were stopped for that, two young +boys who also worked with the mechanic came to me and told me I look like +Mohammad Salah the football player because I have a beard. 😂 -We saw the equator line on the way which was interesting! You can pass through the equator. They told us compasses have some weird behaviour on either side of this line but we didn’t see it ourselves. +We saw the equator line on the way which was interesting! You can pass through +the equator. They told us compasses have some weird behaviour on either side of +this line but we didn’t see it ourselves.  -On the way, specially close to Kampala there were tons of shops and houses just beside the road with some space between them, and if you stop in those places chances are you will be brought some fruit or food or something to be sold to your car window. +On the way, specially close to Kampala there were tons of shops and houses just +beside the road with some space between them, and if you stop in those places +chances are you will be brought some fruit or food or something to be sold to +your car window. -We arrived at night at our lodge and went to sleep, the place to sleep was nice. We met the other volunteers on the next day as well as the lovely staff that worked there, Kajura and Tabitha. They were both very good to us. +We arrived at night at our lodge and went to sleep, the place to sleep was nice. +We met the other volunteers on the next day as well as the lovely staff that +worked there, Kajura and Tabitha. They were both very good to us. # Dance with Batwa -I expressed a lot of interest in learning the local dances and dancing with the people, and so our host arranged for some of the Batwa people (a community of people who used to live in the Bwindi forest but since the conservation programs were started, they were evicted and marginalised) to come and dance for (and with) us. This dance was easily one of the most amazing nights of our lives, such a lovely group of people with such a good energy, and we got that energy as well and joined them and had a great time! +I expressed a lot of interest in learning the local dances and dancing with the +people, and so our host arranged for some of the Batwa people (a community of +people who used to live in the Bwindi forest but since the conservation programs +were started, they were evicted and marginalised) to come and dance for (and +with) us. This dance was easily one of the most amazing nights of our lives, +such a lovely group of people with such a good energy, and we got that energy as +well and joined them and had a great time! - - +  -
- +
-We would go for walks on the next days and people had different reactions, some kids would just greet us with a “Hellooooo” and a hand wave 👋🏼 which was nice, but sometimes they would outright come and ask for money or “sweetie”s. We were advised by our host not to give them money or anything to avoid encouraging this behaviour. +We would go for walks on the next days and people had different reactions, some +kids would just greet us with a “Hellooooo” and a hand wave 👋🏼 which was nice, +but sometimes they would outright come and ask for money or “sweetie”s. We were +advised by our host not to give them money or anything to avoid encouraging this +behaviour. -Sometimes people would smile at us, at other times they would stare at us with a hard-to-read expression, but in most cases if you smiled at them, their stare would turn into a smile. +Sometimes people would smile at us, at other times they would stare at us with a +hard-to-read expression, but in most cases if you smiled at them, their stare +would turn into a smile. -While at the lodge we started slowly by slowly asking about the local language, Rukiga, and I ended up compiling some words and phrases and put them in a blog post: [Rukiga: An African Language](/rukiga-african-language/) +While at the lodge we started slowly by slowly asking about the local language, +Rukiga, and I ended up compiling some words and phrases and put them in a blog +post: [Rukiga: An African Language](/rukiga-african-language/) # Gorillas -The lodge we stayed in is originally a lodge that does tourism, specially around Bwindi Imepenetrable national park with the main activity of gorilla trekking, where you get to walk with mountain gorillas in a distance as close as 10 meters (officially), although practically you are sometimes 3 metres away from them! The trek is relatively expensive since there is a permit required for this trek which costs about $700 for a one-day activity (compare with a 3-day Safari that can be done for $570), however it was a unique experience to see the gorillas so close and watch them, specially the children, play and eat and move around! +The lodge we stayed in is originally a lodge that does tourism, specially around +Bwindi Imepenetrable national park with the main activity of gorilla trekking, +where you get to walk with mountain gorillas in a distance as close as 10 meters +(officially), although practically you are sometimes 3 metres away from them! +The trek is relatively expensive since there is a permit required for this trek +which costs about $700 for a one-day activity (compare with a 3-day Safari that +can be done for $570), however it was a unique experience to see the gorillas so +close and watch them, specially the children, play and eat and move around! - - - +   -One thing that made me think was the children gorillas, two boys, fighting! The guides told us the baby boys start fighting each other early to start learning how to fight for when they grow up and need to compete and challenge other gorillas, and be able to protect their families. It makes me think because of how relevant it seems to how boys are brought up in our societies, sent to military service and expected to protect society during war. +One thing that made me think was the children gorillas, two boys, fighting! The +guides told us the baby boys start fighting each other early to start learning +how to fight for when they grow up and need to compete and challenge other +gorillas, and be able to protect their families. It makes me think because of +how relevant it seems to how boys are brought up in our societies, sent to +military service and expected to protect society during war. # Village  -We went to a Batwa village nearby where they were building houses for them, and we stayed there for 2 nights and helped the construction of the houses for the three days we were there. We learned from the engineer and workers there about their methods of building their houses with local material. +We went to a Batwa village nearby where they were building houses for them, and +we stayed there for 2 nights and helped the construction of the houses for the +three days we were there. We learned from the engineer and workers there about +their methods of building their houses with local material. - - +  -On the first night we went to a nearby tiny town where we were looking for food, and we found a tiny *restaurant* which had only one food they could serve us, we didn’t even ask what it was and after sitting in the dark, smoke-filled corner of the room, with a drunk man talking to us in a language we did not understand, we got goat intestines and matooke (green bananas). Can’t say the intestines tasted good but the experience was pretty cool and interesting. +On the first night we went to a nearby tiny town where we were looking for food, +and we found a tiny *restaurant* which had only one food they could serve us, we +didn’t even ask what it was and after sitting in the dark, smoke-filled corner +of the room, with a drunk man talking to us in a language we did not understand, +we got goat intestines and matooke (green bananas). Can’t say the intestines +tasted good but the experience was pretty cool and interesting. -The first called morning we were given the local porridge called Buhunga, which is made it maize flour, mixed with hot water and some sugar. In Iran we have a similar food called Fereni which is made of rice starch, hot water or milk and sugar, so the food tasted familiar and satisfying. +The first called morning we were given the local porridge called Buhunga, which +is made it maize flour, mixed with hot water and some sugar. In Iran we have a +similar food called Fereni which is made of rice starch, hot water or milk and +sugar, so the food tasted familiar and satisfying. -The main problem for us was that we were sleeping on the ground with no net, and so we got bitten mercilessly by mosquitos and bed bugs and everything in between! +The main problem for us was that we were sleeping on the ground with no net, and +so we got bitten mercilessly by mosquitos and bed bugs and everything in +between! -An interesting experiment of this section was my friend building a water collection point using a simple plastic bag and water bottle to collect rainwater, and it worked very well! +An interesting experiment of this section was my friend building a water +collection point using a simple plastic bag and water bottle to collect +rainwater, and it worked very well! # Some weird events -Once we went back to the lodge, one of girl the volunteers staying at the lodge who had been at the lodge longer than anyone else (about one and a half months) told us that she was not being treated well and that the host was growing mean, and at times threatening to her, specially after she had mentioned she wants to leave and do her internship/volunteering elsewhere. We had plans to leave the next day but she wanted to leave on that day, the trouble was she had bought a motorcycle in Uganda in the hopes of using it but given the state of the roads she ended up not using it at all, and now she wanted to sell it! +Once we went back to the lodge, one of girl the volunteers staying at the lodge +who had been at the lodge longer than anyone else (about one and a half months) +told us that she was not being treated well and that the host was growing mean, +and at times threatening to her, specially after she had mentioned she wants to +leave and do her internship/volunteering elsewhere. We had plans to leave the +next day but she wanted to leave on that day, the trouble was she had bought a +motorcycle in Uganda in the hopes of using it but given the state of the roads +she ended up not using it at all, and now she wanted to sell it! -So we arranged for a car to take us and our luggage, and a motorcycle driver so that we can take all we had to a nearby town, Kabale. Once there, we asked the driver to stay the night with us and help us sell the motorcycle in this town. The same evening and the next day we were trying to sell the motorcycle by riding it to places, asking people and haggling our way, but in the end we ended up selling it for half its price. Unfortunately she had bought a new motorcycle, from a brand that was not the people’s favourite, and most people were not interested in it. It also seemed like they had sold it to her at a much higher price than it really was worth! So she ended up losing about $700 because of that… The lesson was, buy second-hand, buy cheap and buy the favourite! +So we arranged for a car to take us and our luggage, and a motorcycle driver so +that we can take all we had to a nearby town, Kabale. Once there, we asked the +driver to stay the night with us and help us sell the motorcycle in this town. +The same evening and the next day we were trying to sell the motorcycle by +riding it to places, asking people and haggling our way, but in the end we ended +up selling it for half its price. Unfortunately she had bought a new motorcycle, +from a brand that was not the people’s favourite, and most people were not +interested in it. It also seemed like they had sold it to her at a much higher +price than it really was worth! So she ended up losing about $700 because of +that… The lesson was, buy second-hand, buy cheap and buy the favourite! -I and my friend wanted to go to Lake Bunyonyi from Kabale but our new friend wanted to go back to Kampala, so we asked the driver about it and he said it would be $300 to go to Kampala from Kabale! This was a crazy price given that I and my friend had got transport from Kampala to Kabale for much less! She ended up staying at the hostel and finding a cheaper deal at $200, but the prices are just crazy. They keep saying it’s because of fuel costs but in reality it doesn’t cost more than $80, and that’s pessimistic! For us, we used public taxis (matatu) and boda bodas to get around so we ended up spending a lot less money, but it’s understand that one may not feel safe as a solo female traveller to take such means over long distances, not to mention she had a lot more luggage than us. +I and my friend wanted to go to Lake Bunyonyi from Kabale but our new friend +wanted to go back to Kampala, so we asked the driver about it and he said it +would be $300 to go to Kampala from Kabale! This was a crazy price given that I +and my friend had got transport from Kampala to Kabale for much less! She ended +up staying at the hostel and finding a cheaper deal at $200, but the prices are +just crazy. They keep saying it’s because of fuel costs but in reality it +doesn’t cost more than $80, and that’s pessimistic! For us, we used public taxis +(matatu) and boda bodas to get around so we ended up spending a lot less money, +but it’s understand that one may not feel safe as a solo female traveller to +take such means over long distances, not to mention she had a lot more luggage +than us. # Bunyonyi, the boat hire and work  -With the troubles behind us, we left to go to lake bunyonyi and stay there for a week with our host, Tutamuzongoza. We had to take a boat for about 20 minutes to cross the lake and land on the southern part of the lake at Kashenyi village. +With the troubles behind us, we left to go to lake bunyonyi and stay there for a +week with our host, Tutamuzongoza. We had to take a boat for about 20 minutes to +cross the lake and land on the southern part of the lake at Kashenyi village. -Our host welcomed us and we had a room there in their house, and we found ourselves helped a lot by our lovely host family. They provided us with their amazing local food (and in large quantity!) and a room to stay in. +Our host welcomed us and we had a room there in their house, and we found +ourselves helped a lot by our lovely host family. They provided us with their +amazing local food (and in large quantity!) and a room to stay in. -On our first day, Tutamuzongoza and his brother Tumwijukye briefed us on their plans to build a library, a playground and guest houses for their community, and explained how we could help and of course we were excited about it! Tutamuzongoza also prepared a timetable for us which was great, gave us more clarity on what we would be doing. +On our first day, Tutamuzongoza and his brother Tumwijukye briefed us on their +plans to build a library, a playground and guest houses for their community, and +explained how we could help and of course we were excited about it! +Tutamuzongoza also prepared a timetable for us which was great, gave us more +clarity on what we would be doing. -That same night we had some children coming to our house and doing a dance to Christian songs and no doubt we joined them and had a great time. +That same night we had some children coming to our house and doing a dance to +Christian songs and no doubt we joined them and had a great time. -
- -
+-Since we had arrived on Saturday, and on Sunday there was church service, we didn’t work on Sunday but instead I joined Tutamuzongoza to go to church to experience their religious experience. This Protestant church was much more interesting than I had anticipated, there was a lot of dancing and singing and laughter! The preacher would crack jokes in between his preach and people would chuckle, which I found to be nice. Tutamuzongoza taught me how to introduce myself with these phrases: +Since we had arrived on Saturday, and on Sunday there was church service, we +didn’t work on Sunday but instead I joined Tutamuzongoza to go to church to +experience their religious experience. This Protestant church was much more +interesting than I had anticipated, there was a lot of dancing and singing and +laughter! The preacher would crack jokes in between his preach and people would +chuckle, which I found to be nice. Tutamuzongoza taught me how to introduce +myself with these phrases: Eizina ryangye Mahdi: My name is Mahdi @@ -126,59 +262,101 @@ Nashemererwa kubanimwe: I’m happy to be here Webare munonga: Thank you very much -I got a round of claps (a very rhythmic one!) from the people once I introduced myself as was the custom for them to clap in this rhythm when people spoke and during transitions. +I got a round of claps (a very rhythmic one!) from the people once I introduced +myself as was the custom for them to clap in this rhythm when people spoke and +during transitions. -With the help of Tutamuzongoza and Tumwijukye, I was able to expand my Rukiga dictionary and finalise a first version of my blog post: [Rukiga: An African Language](/rukiga-african-language). +With the help of Tutamuzongoza and Tumwijukye, I was able to expand my Rukiga +dictionary and finalise a first version of my blog post: [Rukiga: An African +Language](/rukiga-african-language). -Starting on Monday we helped on the site to prepare the land for construction by digging, slashing and uprooting, we had a great time and it was a good exercise. +Starting on Monday we helped on the site to prepare the land for construction by +digging, slashing and uprooting, we had a great time and it was a good exercise. - - +  -We also hired a motor boat and went on exploring the lake, first together with our hosts and then just the two of us. We ended up diving and swimming and having dinner in one of the islands and just lying down at night under the moon. +We also hired a motor boat and went on exploring the lake, first together with +our hosts and then just the two of us. We ended up diving and swimming and +having dinner in one of the islands and just lying down at night under the moon.  -On Tuesday evening, the children of the village invited me to play football with them so we joined and had an amazing time, playing football with the kids is always great. Once we were done I saw some of the kids doing some handstand practice and one of them suddenly did a back handspring!! At this, I knew I had to give them something from my parkour practice, so we ended up improvising and finding a bump and doing some parkour vaults and some basic flip practice, and it was great fun. The children were really talented all of them! +On Tuesday evening, the children of the village invited me to play football with +them so we joined and had an amazing time, playing football with the kids is +always great. Once we were done I saw some of the kids doing some handstand +practice and one of them suddenly did a back handspring!! At this, I knew I had +to give them something from my parkour practice, so we ended up improvising and +finding a bump and doing some parkour vaults and some basic flip practice, and +it was great fun. The children were really talented all of them! -
- -
+-On the last day I asked our hosts if they knew of any books in their language about their culture, and they introduced us to one of their legendary writes, Festo Karwemera, so we set on a search to find his books when we were back in Kabale and we ended up in the writer’s house, and his wife came to us and allowed us to see the library and buy the books even though the librarian wasn’t there, it took some persistence! She was lovely and ended up giving us her signature on the books! I hope to expand my Rukiga understanding through the books and share them on my blog. +On the last day I asked our hosts if they knew of any books in their language +about their culture, and they introduced us to one of their legendary writes, +Festo Karwemera, so we set on a search to find his books when we were back in +Kabale and we ended up in the writer’s house, and his wife came to us and +allowed us to see the library and buy the books even though the librarian wasn’t +there, it took some persistence! She was lovely and ended up giving us her +signature on the books! I hope to expand my Rukiga understanding through the +books and share them on my blog. -On a last note, I found Tutamuzongoza on BeWelcome, but it was a much better experience than our host that we found on Workaway. +On a last note, I found Tutamuzongoza on BeWelcome, but it was a much better +experience than our host that we found on Workaway. # Safari  -After Bunyonyi and Kabale we went to Queen Elizabeth National park to do a safari and our first awe was the sunrise of the savannah. +After Bunyonyi and Kabale we went to Queen Elizabeth National park to do a +safari and our first awe was the sunrise of the savannah. -We started driving through the park and saw a lot of buffalos and antelopes and birds at first, and at some point we saw some hippos in the river. We stopped at Kasenyi village, a community inside the park beside the lake and there we got to see a lot of hippos basking in the beach, and we got to get as close as 5-7m from there, they are pretty cool animals. +We started driving through the park and saw a lot of buffalos and antelopes and +birds at first, and at some point we saw some hippos in the river. We stopped at +Kasenyi village, a community inside the park beside the lake and there we got to +see a lot of hippos basking in the beach, and we got to get as close as 5-7m +from there, they are pretty cool animals.   -We then drove to the Kazinga channel to do a boat cruise and some some animals in the water, predominantly hippos, and a lot of them! We also got to see some elephants and a crocodile and some birds and lizards including a fish eagle. +We then drove to the Kazinga channel to do a boat cruise and some some animals +in the water, predominantly hippos, and a lot of them! We also got to see some +elephants and a crocodile and some birds and lizards including a fish eagle.     -After the boat cruise we went back to the park in search for lionesses, but instead we found a leopard resting on a tree, it was hard to see the leopard without a camera or binoculars but it was amazing nevertheless. We unfortunately didn’t get to find a lioness, apparently they were hard to spot during some periods. - +After the boat cruise we went back to the park in search for lionesses, but +instead we found a leopard resting on a tree, it was hard to see the leopard +without a camera or binoculars but it was amazing nevertheless. We unfortunately +didn’t get to find a lioness, apparently they were hard to spot during some +periods.  -The most fun part of this safari was being able to sit on top of the car, on a very uncomfortable top rack. Me and my friend usually find satisfaction and fun when things are a bit harder than the usual! +The most fun part of this safari was being able to sit on top of the car, on a +very uncomfortable top rack. Me and my friend usually find satisfaction and fun +when things are a bit harder than the usual!  -At night we went to another small resort to have our dinner, and as we were sitting beside the campfire, a hippo casually started walking towards us, hippos were like stray dogs in that park, they were everywhere! +At night we went to another small resort to have our dinner, and as we were +sitting beside the campfire, a hippo casually started walking towards us, hippos +were like stray dogs in that park, they were everywhere! -On another note, Queen Elizabeth passed away on the day we were in Queen Elizabeth National park. Oops. +On another note, Queen Elizabeth passed away on the day we were in Queen +Elizabeth National park. Oops. -The next day we took a few matatus back to Kampala, and on the first matatu, at some stage there were 22 people inside a minivan with 13 seats, it was quite an authentic experience! Apparently if you take matatus from official taxi parks, they do not overfill their van and it’s more comfortable but the first one we got was just one going past us. +The next day we took a few matatus back to Kampala, and on the first matatu, at +some stage there were 22 people inside a minivan with 13 seats, it was quite an +authentic experience! Apparently if you take matatus from official taxi parks, +they do not overfill their van and it’s more comfortable but the first one we +got was just one going past us. # Final Words -This first trip to Africa did not disappoint at all, we had a lot of fun and we were really happy to have experienced the country together with the local people, and we learned a lot from them and we got to see some animals for the first time. This trip only makes me want to visit Africa more, and I’m sure I will! You can find more pictures of my trip on my [pictures](/art) page. +This first trip to Africa did not disappoint at all, we had a lot of fun and we +were really happy to have experienced the country together with the local +people, and we learned a lot from them and we got to see some animals for the +first time. This trip only makes me want to visit Africa more, and I’m sure I +will! You can find more pictures of my trip on my [pictures](/art) page. diff --git a/_posts/2022-09-15-pahlavi-avestan-intro.md b/_posts/2022-09-15-pahlavi-avestan-intro.md index fe7902f..0128440 100644 --- a/_posts/2022-09-15-pahlavi-avestan-intro.md +++ b/_posts/2022-09-15-pahlavi-avestan-intro.md @@ -9,15 +9,32 @@ author: Mahdi custom_head: --- -[Middle Persian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Persian), the successor of [Old Persian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Persian) from [Achaemenid Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achaemenid_Empire), was used by the [Sassanian Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasanian_Empire) of Iran, and is the ancestor of Modern Persian, which is currently the official language of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. This language has been written using multiple scripts, including [Pahlavi script](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pahlavi_script), [Manichaean script](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manichaean_script) and [Pazend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pazend). This blog post is the most brief introduction to Middle Persian using Pahlavi script, a script derived from [imperial Aramaic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Aramaic). +[Middle Persian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Persian), the successor of +[Old Persian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Persian) from [Achaemenid +Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achaemenid_Empire), was used by the +[Sassanian Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasanian_Empire) of Iran, and +is the ancestor of Modern Persian, which is currently the official language of +Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. This language has been written using multiple +scripts, including [Pahlavi +script](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pahlavi_script), [Manichaean +script](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manichaean_script) and +[Pazend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pazend). This blog post is the most brief +introduction to Middle Persian using Pahlavi script, a script derived from +[imperial Aramaic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Aramaic). -This language is written and read right-to-left, however in this blog post because the main body of text is English, the text is aligned on the left-side. +This language is written and read right-to-left, however in this blog post +because the main body of text is English, the text is aligned on the left-side. -This blog post requires a browser that supports custom fonts, since I am using the [Khusro Pahlavi font](http://avesta.org/iranian-font/pahlavi.html). If you cannot see this blog post properly, a PDF version of this blog post is available [here](/files/pahlavi/Middle Persian & Pahlavi script.pdf). +This blog post requires a browser that supports custom fonts, since I am using +the [Khusro Pahlavi font](http://avesta.org/iranian-font/pahlavi.html). If you +cannot see this blog post properly, a PDF version of this blog post is available +[here](/files/pahlavi/Middle Persian & Pahlavi script.pdf). # Alphabet -There are 14 primary letters in Pahlavi, some of which are used for multiple sounds. First, let's look at each letter of the alphabet individually. The content of this section is derived mostly from {% cite kapadia1953glossary %}. +There are 14 primary letters in Pahlavi, some of which are used for multiple +sounds. First, let's look at each letter of the alphabet individually. The +content of this section is derived mostly from {% cite kapadia1953glossary %}. # n @@ -25,7 +42,11 @@ Sound: n, v, r, u, û, o, ô, rarely l Modern Persian equivalents: ن، و، ر، گاهی ل -Notes: Joins with preceding f, gE, s, a, l, Z and G, but not with any succeeding letter. Pahlavi words ending with t, c, p, k and n, can optionally add an extra final n. +Notes: Joins with preceding f, gE, s, a, l, Z and +G, but not with any succeeding letter. Pahlavi +words ending with t, c, p, k and n, can optionally add an extra final n. Examples: 1. n (û): a conjunction, meaning and, or; و. @@ -41,17 +62,38 @@ Sound: i, y, e, d, j, g Modern Persian equivalents: ی، د، ج، گ Notes: -1. In the body of a word it retains its form f before n, i, b, k as y, I!, __B!, q and H!; in all other cases it lapses into i. -2. f (ê or î): used as an izâfat اضافت to show relation between two words, as possessor and the person or a thing possessed, in which case f shows the genitive case. -3. Combines with all preceding letters except n,\_ b,\_k,\_t,\_c and with all succeeding letters except n,\_ b,\_Ë where it takes the forms y, \_\_B!,\_M!. -5. f used as the numeral "one" when it follows a substantive, e.g. f_aB! (gabrâ-ê) a man; f_TlË (mart-ê) a man; مردی. -6. i used to represent numeral "one", e.g. ZLi (ê-raz): one hundred; یک صد, KLi (ê-rag): one thousand; یک هزار. +1. In the body of a word it retains its form f + before n, i, b, k as y, + I!, __B!, q and H!; in all other cases it + lapses into i. +2. f (ê or î): used as an izâfat اضافت to show + relation between two words, as possessor and the person or a thing possessed, + in which case f shows the genitive case. +3. Combines with all preceding letters except n,\_ + b,\_k,\_t,\_c and with all succeeding letters except n,\_ b,\_Ë where it takes the forms y, \_\_B!,\_M!. +5. f used as the numeral "one" when it follows a + substantive, e.g. f_aB! (gabrâ-ê) a man; f_TlË (mart-ê) a man; مردی. +6. i used to represent numeral "one", e.g. ZLi (ê-raz): one hundred; یک صد, KLi (ê-rag): one thousand; یک هزار. Examples: -1. N\_gE (dîv): satan, Dev, a demon, an evil spirit; دیو. -2. rFnp\_f\_rTXË (mâtar-î-pûsar): mother of the boy; مادرِ پسر. -3. Using izâfat is optional, and when it is dropped, it is necessary that the qualifying adjective or the thing possessed must precede the thing possessed or qualified; e.g. rTXË\_rFnp (pûsar mâtar), and it is the rule that a Q (zak) or fQ (zak-î) is added before the two words, so: rTXË\_rFnp\_fQ (zak-î pûsar mâtar) -4. It is also used as a rendering of Avesta relative pronouns OvjE, WvjE, TavjE, who, which and what. +1. N\_gE (dîv): satan, Dev, a demon, an evil + spirit; دیو. +2. rFnp\_f\_rTXË (mâtar-î-pûsar): mother of the + boy; مادرِ پسر. +3. Using izâfat is optional, and when it is dropped, it is necessary that the + qualifying adjective or the thing possessed must precede the thing possessed + or qualified; e.g. rTXË\_rFnp (pûsar mâtar), and + it is the rule that a Q (zak) or fQ (zak-î) is added before the two words, so: rTXË\_rFnp\_fQ (zak-î pûsar mâtar) +4. It is also used as a rendering of Avesta relative pronouns OvjE, WvjE, TavjE, who, which and what. # gE / F @@ -60,13 +102,29 @@ Sound: s Modern Persian equivalent: س Notes: -1. The gE form of this letter is used when it is the final word of a simple word, or when that simple word is part of a compound word, e.g. gEAr (râs), gEann (vînâs), Rak_gEann (vînâs-kâr) -2. The gE form of this letter is also used when before B,\_Ë,\_n, e.g. t_gE (sût), vH_gEA (asmân) -3. The gE form of this letter is also used to represent the numerical cipher 40, forty J\_\_\_A\_jEc (chêhal); چهل +1. The gE form of this letter is used when it is + the final word of a simple word, or when that simple word is part of a + compound word, e.g. gEAr (râs), gEann (vînâs), Rak_gEann + (vînâs-kâr) +2. The gE form of this letter is also used when + before B,\_Ë,\_n, e.g. t_gE (sût), vH_gEA + (asmân) +3. The gE form of this letter is also used to + represent the numerical cipher 40, forty J\_\_\_A\_jEc (chêhal); چهل Examples: -1. s|rF (srôsh): one who obeys or hears; the name of the angel who protects mankind by night and day against the attacks of the Daevas, and guards the souls of the dead for the first three nights. He may be compared with Gabriel of Semitic mythology, as a principle messenger of God. He is always styled as n b|rsA\_=\_s|rF (srôsh-î-ahlôb): holy srosh; metaphorically means "obedience", "humility".; سروش. -2. nvjXpF (spâhân): The city of Ispahan, former capital city of Iran; اصفهان. +1. s|rF (srôsh): one who obeys or hears; the name + of the angel who protects mankind by night and day against the attacks of the + Daevas, and guards the souls of the dead for the first three nights. He may + be compared with Gabriel of Semitic mythology, as a principle messenger of + God. He is always styled as n b|rsA\_=\_s|rF + (srôsh-î-ahlôb): holy srosh; metaphorically means "obedience", "humility".; + سروش. +2. nvjXpF (spâhân): The city of Ispahan, former + capital city of Iran; اصفهان. # s @@ -75,12 +133,15 @@ Sound: š (sh) Modern Persian equivalent: ش Notes: -1. In Indian manuscripts this letter is generally given as DE, which can be read as š, dâ, gâ, jâ, yâ, ih. +1. In Indian manuscripts this letter is generally given as DE, which can be read as š, dâ, gâ, jâ, yâ, ih. Examples: 1. ivjX (šûi): a husband; شوی، شوهر. -2. nnTFvjX (šôstan): to wash, to cleanse, to purify; شستن. -3. anks (šikôh): pomp, grandeur, majesty, dignity; شکوه. +2. nnTFvjX (šôstan): to wash, to cleanse, to + purify; شستن. +3. anks (šikôh): pomp, grandeur, majesty, dignity; + شکوه. # a @@ -89,12 +150,15 @@ Sound: a, â, kh, h Modern Persian equivalents: آ، خ، ه Notes: -1. Can be used as a prefix, denoting "not" or negation, e.g. gEA_nv (a-vînâs): sinless. +1. Can be used as a prefix, denoting "not" or negation, e.g. gEA_nv (a-vînâs): sinless. Examples: -1. v (hû): a prefix indicating "good", "well"; opposite of sy (dûš) bad +1. v (hû): a prefix indicating "good", "well"; + opposite of sy (dûš) bad 2. tËy (hû-mat): good thought -3. nvL_Ia (aîrân): the home of the Aryans, the Iran proper; ایران. +3. nvL_Ia (aîrân): the home of the Aryans, the Iran + proper; ایران. 4. DEnTEa (aêtîh): existence, being; هستی. # B @@ -104,13 +168,18 @@ Sound: b, ê Modern Persian equivalents: ب، ی Notes: -1. Can be added to words to mean "one", e.g. f_TlË (mart-ê) a man; مردی. -2. Does not combine with any succeeding letter, and only combines with preceding i,\_s,\_a,\_r,\_Z. +1. Can be added to words to mean "one", e.g. f_TlË + (mart-ê) a man; مردی. +2. Does not combine with any succeeding letter, and only combines with preceding + i,\_s,\_a,\_r,\_Z. Examples: -1. nn B (bûn): basis, root, beginning, bottom, foundation, extremity, end, origin; بن. -2. En B (bôî): to smell, fragrance , smell, perfume, scent; بو، بوی. -3. nTFbM! (ham-bast): bound together, connected together; همبست. +1. nn B (bûn): basis, root, beginning, bottom, + foundation, extremity, end, origin; بن. +2. En B (bôî): to smell, fragrance , smell, + perfume, scent; بو، بوی. +3. nTFbM! (ham-bast): bound together, connected + together; همبست. 4. rTXrb / TXrb (brâtar / brât): brother; برادر. # r @@ -120,16 +189,21 @@ Sound: r, l Modern Persian equivalents: ر، ل Notes: -1. Sometimes l is written as J to distinguish it from r, specially in Pazend. -2. At the end of some Semitic words it is written as O, e.g. ODX (akhar). +1. Sometimes l is written as J to distinguish it + from r, specially in Pazend. +2. At the end of some Semitic words it is written as O, e.g. ODX (akhar). 3. Used as the numerical cypher for number 20 (li = bist); بیست. 4. Used as the first person singular pronoun (li=men): I, me, my, mine; من. Examples: 1. f|r (rûi): face, feature, countenance; رو، روی. -2. ODX_ny|r (levîn-û-âkhar = pêš-pas): more or less, before and after, first to the last; کم و بیش، پیش و پس، اول تا آخر. -3. Tl (rat): lord, master, spiritual chief, principal, a Dastur or high priest; -4. KR (lagh / ragh): the numerical cypher for 1000; one thousand; هزار. +2. ODX_ny|r (levîn-û-âkhar = pêš-pas): more or + less, before and after, first to the last; کم و بیش، پیش و پس، اول تا آخر. +3. Tl (rat): lord, master, spiritual chief, + principal, a Dastur or high priest; +4. KR (lagh / ragh): the numerical cypher for 1000; + one thousand; هزار. # Z @@ -138,14 +212,28 @@ Sound: z Modern Persian equivalents: ز Notes: -1. Does not combine with any preceding letter but combines with all succeeding letters. +1. Does not combine with any preceding letter but combines with all succeeding + letters. Examples: -1. |Z (zan): a woman, a female, a wife; زن. The word is probably from the corresponding زادن or زائيدن (to give birth) from Avesta. +1. |Z (zan): a woman, a female, a wife; زن. The + word is probably from the corresponding زادن or زائيدن (to give birth) from + Avesta. 2. i^|Z (zand): great, vehement, powerful; زند. -3. ajEqnyjz (zîvandakîh): Abstract; life, existence; زندگی. +3. ajEqnyjz (zîvandakîh): Abstract; life, + existence; زندگی. 4. RZ (zar): gold; زر. -5. kz (zak): A semitic particle, extensively used in Pahlavi and signifying a Demon. Adjective and pronoun singular & plural: that, that one, also used in third personal pronouns: he, she or it, sometimes as a relative pronoun: that, which, who. The word is of frequent occurence and invariably replaces Iranian word nv (ân) آن. Also, as explained before, kz and f_kz are used in the beginning of a genitive construction where the izafat اضافت "f" is dropped and the thing possessed or qualified is placed after the possessor or the qualifying adjective, e.g. n|rh\_r\_f\_kz (zak-î-li-môrv): my bird. +5. kz (zak): A semitic particle, extensively used + in Pahlavi and signifying a Demon. Adjective and pronoun singular & plural: + that, that one, also used in third personal pronouns: he, she or it, + sometimes as a relative pronoun: that, which, who. The word is of frequent + occurence and invariably replaces Iranian word nv (ân) آن. Also, as explained before, kz and f_kz are used in + the beginning of a genitive construction where the izafat اضافت "f" is dropped and the thing possessed or qualified is + placed after the possessor or the qualifying adjective, e.g. n|rh\_r\_f\_kz (zak-î-li-môrv): my bird. # k @@ -154,17 +242,27 @@ Sound: k, rarely g and y Modern Persian equivalents: ک، گاهی گ، ی Notes: -1. Generally used as a sign of past participle at the end of a verb in preterite form, e.g. ktnk کرده or kTlB برده. -2. It is also used as a diminutive suffix, e.g. kR_Fnp (pûsarak) پسرک. +1. Generally used as a sign of past participle at the end of a verb in preterite + form, e.g. ktnk کرده or kTlB برده. +2. It is also used as a diminutive suffix, e.g. kR_Fnp (pûsarak) پسرک. Examples: 1. nnk (kanû): now, at present, yet, still; کنون. -2. Tlaktnk (kûtak-khrat): short-witted, foolish, silly; کوته خرد. -3. nnTEyk (kînîtan): Denominative verb from nyk (kîn) malice; to bear malice to, to take revenge on; کین گرفتن. -4. akk (kakâ): a tooth, teeth; Semitic equivalent of nvjEy (dandân) دندان. -5. Gk (kam): less, little, small, a few, scarce, deficient; کم. -6. knvb_ktk (katak-banûk): the mistress of the house, mater-familias. کد بانو. -7. wtv_ktk (katak-khûtâi): the master of the house, pater-familias, a chief. کد خدا. +2. Tlaktnk (kûtak-khrat): short-witted, foolish, + silly; کوته خرد. +3. nnTEyk (kînîtan): Denominative verb from nyk (kîn) malice; to bear malice to, to take revenge + on; کین گرفتن. +4. akk (kakâ): a tooth, teeth; Semitic equivalent + of nvjEy (dandân) دندان. +5. Gk (kam): less, little, small, a few, scarce, + deficient; کم. +6. knvb_ktk (katak-banûk): the mistress of the + house, mater-familias. کد بانو. +7. wtv_ktk (katak-khûtâi): the master of the house, + pater-familias, a chief. کد خدا. # G @@ -173,15 +271,23 @@ Sound: m Modern Persian equivalents: م Notes: -1. Does not combine with preceding n,\_ B,\_k,\_t\_,\_p,\_c,\_K -2. Even in its combined form, it keeps its full form, and it combines with all succeeding letters except K +1. Does not combine with preceding n,\_ + B,\_k,\_t\_,\_p,\_c,\_K +2. Even in its combined form, it keeps its full form, and it combines with all + succeeding letters except K Examples: 1. f|_G (mûy): hair; مو، موی. -2. E*|_G (mang): a narcotic drug made from hemp-seed, hen-bane, a drug used for abortion, Cannabis Sativa; منگ، بنگ، بنج. -3. EnyG (mînôy / mînúg): spiritual, heavenly, invisible, a spirit, a spiritual being; مینو، مینوی. -4. nvMajX_G (mâhmân): a guest, a visitor, one who is entertained; as adjective satisfied, pleased, gratified, agreeable, welcome; مهمان. -5. nntG (Mitra): the name of an Yazat: Meher Yazad; presiding over light, also over faith, friendship and contracts; مهر. +2. E*|_G (mang): a narcotic drug made from + hemp-seed, hen-bane, a drug used for abortion, Cannabis Sativa; منگ، بنگ، + بنج. +3. EnyG (mînôy / mînúg): spiritual, heavenly, + invisible, a spirit, a spiritual being; مینو، مینوی. +4. nvMajX_G (mâhmân): a guest, a visitor, one who + is entertained; as adjective satisfied, pleased, gratified, agreeable, + welcome; مهمان. +5. nntG (Mitra): the name of an Yazat: Meher Yazad; + presiding over light, also over faith, friendship and contracts; مهر. # t @@ -190,15 +296,21 @@ Sound: t, d Modern Persian equivalents: ت، د Notes: -1. Does not join any succeeding letter, and does not join with preceding n,\_f,\_k,\_t,\_p,\_c,\_K. +1. Does not join any succeeding letter, and does not join with preceding n,\_f,\_k,\_t,\_p,\_c,\_K. 2. Always appears whole in any formation. Examples: -1. nnt (tan): body, person, the corporal body as distinguished from prk the spiritual body; تن. -2. E^nnt (tanand): a spider, a cobweb; تتنده، تنندو. -3. nnTEcnt (tôjîtan): to atone for a sin, to expiate, to undergo punishment, to plunder, to assault; توزیدن. -4. rkvbnt (tûbânkar): rich, powerful, able, opulent, competent; توانگر. -5. ajEvjfct_nv (khûn-tachišnîh): flowing out of blood. +1. nnt (tan): body, person, the corporal body as + distinguished from prk the spiritual body; تن. +2. E^nnt (tanand): a spider, a cobweb; تتنده، + تنندو. +3. nnTEcnt (tôjîtan): to atone for a sin, to + expiate, to undergo punishment, to plunder, to assault; توزیدن. +4. rkvbnt (tûbânkar): rich, powerful, able, + opulent, competent; توانگر. +5. ajEvjfct_nv (khûn-tachišnîh): flowing out of + blood. # p @@ -207,31 +319,53 @@ Sound: pa, pha (if initial, also: cha, ja, za) Modern Persian equivalents: پ، ف (اگر در ابتدا، همچنین: و، چ، ت، ز) Notes: -1. Appears either as a whole, or as P when joining the previous letter. +1. Appears either as a whole, or as P when joining + the previous letter. Examples: -1. nnp (pavan = pa, pat): a semitic particle, used extensive as a preposition with meanings: to, by, from, through, according to, in, into, on, upon, with, among, about, at, for, as, as to, as if. It corresponds to Modern Persian پ، بر. It is the prefix for instrumental & genetive cases. e.g. ODX_nnp (pavan-âkhar = pa-pas): in the end, at last; پا پس. -2. TFnp (pûst): the skin, a hide, a covering, a coating; پوست. -3. PXnp (frâz): A preposition with the meaning of: forth, further, forthwith, on, upon, above, upwards, aloft, back, down, after, again, opposite, contrary, before, near, forward, together; فراز، فرا. -4. E^|Znp (frazand): an offspring, child, son, progeny; فرزند. -5. nvGtp (patmân): measure, standard, regulation, moderation, plan, design, rule, proportion, estimate, compact, agreement, (golden) mean, metrical measure; پیمان. +1. nnp (pavan = pa, pat): a semitic particle, used + extensive as a preposition with meanings: to, by, from, through, according + to, in, into, on, upon, with, among, about, at, for, as, as to, as if. It + corresponds to Modern Persian پ، بر. It is the prefix for instrumental & + genetive cases. e.g. ODX_nnp (pavan-âkhar = + pa-pas): in the end, at last; پا پس. +2. TFnp (pûst): the skin, a hide, a covering, a + coating; پوست. +3. PXnp (frâz): A preposition with the meaning of: + forth, further, forthwith, on, upon, above, upwards, aloft, back, down, + after, again, opposite, contrary, before, near, forward, together; فراز، فرا. +4. E^|Znp (frazand): an offspring, child, son, + progeny; فرزند. +5. nvGtp (patmân): measure, standard, regulation, + moderation, plan, design, rule, proportion, estimate, compact, agreement, + (golden) mean, metrical measure; پیمان. # c Sound: ch, if initial: j, if medial or final: ch, j, z, zh, p, f, v -Modern Persian equivalent: چ، اگر ابتدا: ج، اگر میان یا انتها: چ، ج، ز، ژ، پ، ف، و +Modern Persian equivalent: چ، اگر ابتدا: ج، اگر میان یا انتها: چ، ج، ز، ژ، پ، ف، +و Notes: 1. Does not combine with any of the succeeding letters -2. Combines with preceding E,\_a,\_r,\_G as PE,\_Pl,\_PX,\_PG +2. Combines with preceding E,\_a,\_r,\_G as PE,\_Pl,\_PX,\_PG Examples: -1. c (cha): an enclitic particle, meaning: and, also, likewise, even, too, yet, else, always, added to the word it connects; when it follows a word ending in a consonant, the vowel (i) is conveniently added to the consonant, e.g. (nari-cha), (kasi-cha); sometimes the vowel (a) is added to the consonant (hasta-cha). -2. E^nc (chand): how much, how many, how long, of what length or duration, some, any indefinite quantity; چند. -3. rA_yc (chînâr): the poplar tree, plane tree, the sycamore; چنار. -4. DEn_gEc (chûnîh / chêgûnîh): abstract noun from n_gEc (chûn): quality, qualification, description, whereabouts, peculiarity; چگونگی = کیفیت. +1. c (cha): an enclitic particle, meaning: and, + also, likewise, even, too, yet, else, always, added to the word it connects; + when it follows a word ending in a consonant, the vowel (i) is conveniently + added to the consonant, e.g. (nari-cha), (kasi-cha); sometimes the vowel (a) + is added to the consonant (hasta-cha). +2. E^nc (chand): how much, how many, how long, of + what length or duration, some, any indefinite quantity; چند. +3. rA_yc (chînâr): the poplar tree, plane tree, the + sycamore; چنار. +4. DEn_gEc (chûnîh / chêgûnîh): abstract noun from + n_gEc (chûn): quality, qualification, + description, whereabouts, peculiarity; چگونگی = کیفیت. # K @@ -240,30 +374,53 @@ Sound: gh Modern Persian equivalent: ق Examples: -1. KR (lagh / ragh): the numerical cypher for 1000; one thousand; هزار. -2. KG (magh): a pit, a hole, a row or line of stones on which a "riman" or "contaminated" person sits successively during the ceremony of purification; مغاک، مغ. -3. KG (mogh / magh): a magi, a mobed, one who pratises magism; مغ. -4. bDlKa (aghriya / aghrâya): this word is derived from B!rKa meaning: top, head, summit, pertaining to top, pertaining to summit, topmost, of the first quality, the principal one. -5. nvtKn (vaghtân): a head (of a good being), as opposed to rA__Gk (kamâr) head of an evil being. +1. KR (lagh / ragh): the numerical cypher for 1000; + one thousand; هزار. +2. KG (magh): a pit, a hole, a row or line of + stones on which a "riman" or "contaminated" person sits successively during + the ceremony of purification; مغاک، مغ. +3. KG (mogh / magh): a magi, a mobed, one who + pratises magism; مغ. +4. bDlKa (aghriya / aghrâya): this word is derived + from B!rKa meaning: top, head, summit, + pertaining to top, pertaining to summit, topmost, of the first quality, the + principal one. +5. nvtKn (vaghtân): a head (of a good being), as + opposed to rA__Gk (kamâr) head of an evil being. ## Letters mixed -The table below shows how different letters mix together {% cite kapadia1953glossary %}: +The table below shows how different letters mix together {% cite +kapadia1953glossary %}:  # Phrases & Words -1. a_Gvv (Aûhr-mazd): The Supreme Creator, Lord Ormazd, of Zoroastrian philosophy. Formerly read as Anhômâ. -2. @ (Aharman) اهرمن، اهریمن, is the destructive / evil spirit in Zoroastrianism. The name is traditionally written upside down. -3. rDX|rp (frôhâr): the guardian angel or spirit, a spiritual prototype, traditionally nvb|r (rûbân) soul, and rDX|rp (frôhâr) are quite distinct. Ravan passes the Chinvat Bridge according to his or her deeds in this world, whilst fravashi is the sublime spirit which protects its counterpart in this world as a guardian angle. It is the highest of the five spiritual entities of which the human being is made up (ahu, daena, baodhang, urvan and fravashi). Also written sa|rp, Ra|rp; فروهر. -4. N\_gE (dîv): satan, Dev, a demon, an evil spirit; دیو. -5. nvjfPE (yazišn): to worship, part of Zoroastrian sacred texts known as Yasna: a sacrifical prayer with offerings of Hom; یسنا. -6. ajEIaRDX (ahlâyîh = aša): abstract noun for (ahlôb) righteous, i.e. truth, righteousness, holiness, sanctity, Asha; آشا. +1. a_Gvv (Aûhr-mazd): The Supreme Creator, Lord + Ormazd, of Zoroastrian philosophy. Formerly read as Anhômâ. +2. @ (Aharman) اهرمن، اهریمن, is the destructive / + evil spirit in Zoroastrianism. The name is traditionally written upside down. +3. rDX|rp (frôhâr): the guardian angel or spirit, a + spiritual prototype, traditionally nvb|r (rûbân) + soul, and rDX|rp (frôhâr) are quite distinct. + Ravan passes the Chinvat Bridge according to his or her deeds in this world, + whilst fravashi is the sublime spirit which protects its counterpart in this + world as a guardian angle. It is the highest of the five spiritual entities + of which the human being is made up (ahu, daena, baodhang, urvan and + fravashi). Also written sa|rp, Ra|rp; فروهر. +4. N\_gE (dîv): satan, Dev, a demon, an evil + spirit; دیو. +5. nvjfPE (yazišn): to worship, part of Zoroastrian + sacred texts known as Yasna: a sacrifical prayer with offerings of Hom; یسنا. +6. ajEIaRDX (ahlâyîh = aša): abstract noun for + (ahlôb) righteous, i.e. truth, righteousness, holiness, sanctity, Asha; آشا. ### The Threefold Path of Asha -The three ethical pillars of Zoroastrianism, mentioned in Yasna Haptaŋhāiti یسنا هفت هات (Y. 35.4) are rendered in Pahlavi as such: +The three ethical pillars of Zoroastrianism, mentioned in Yasna Haptaŋhāiti یسنا +هفت هات (Y. 35.4) are rendered in Pahlavi as such: nvjfyGv (humînišn): good thought (منش نیک) @@ -271,122 +428,215 @@ The three ethical pillars of Zoroastrianism, mentioned in Yasna Haptaŋhāiti ی nvjfiyv (hugôîšn): good speech (گویش نیک) -Also see [HUMATA HŪXTA HUVARŠTA](https://iranicaonline.org/articles/humata-huxta-huvarsta) for more information. +Also see [HUMATA HŪXTA +HUVARŠTA](https://iranicaonline.org/articles/humata-huxta-huvarsta) for more +information. # Common Persian Names -M_AR_DXn (vahârâm): name of the angel of victory, popularly known as Behram Yazat; also the name of the 20th day of the Zoroastrian month, over which Behram Yazat presides; the planet Mars is also known by the same name; بهرام. +M_AR_DXn (vahârâm): name of the angel of victory, +popularly known as Behram Yazat; also the name of the 20th day of the +Zoroastrian month, over which Behram Yazat presides; the planet Mars is also +known by the same name; بهرام. -s|rF (srôsh): one who obeys or hears; the name of the angel who protects mankind by night and day against the attacks of the Daevas, and guards the souls of the dead for the first three nights. He may be compared with Gabriel of Semitic mythology, as a principle messenger of God. He is always styled as n b|rsA\_=\_s|rF (srôsh-î-ahlôb): holy srosh; metaphorically means "obedience", "humility"; سروش. +s|rF (srôsh): one who obeys or hears; the name of +the angel who protects mankind by night and day against the attacks of the +Daevas, and guards the souls of the dead for the first three nights. He may be +compared with Gabriel of Semitic mythology, as a principle messenger of God. He +is always styled as n b|rsA\_=\_s|rF +(srôsh-î-ahlôb): holy srosh; metaphorically means "obedience", "humility"; سروش. -n|r_G (Marva): name of the third of the goodly created places by Ahura Mazd according to Vendidad I: the modern "Marv", "Margvan" of the clasics; مرو، مهرو. +n|r_G (Marva): name of the third of the goodly +created places by Ahura Mazd according to Vendidad I: the modern "Marv", +"Margvan" of the clasics; مرو، مهرو. -PFIa_G (mahest): the greatest, the grandest, the highest, the longest; میهن. +PFIa_G (mahest): the greatest, the grandest, the +highest, the longest; میهن. -EnyG (mînôy / mînúg): spiritual, heavenly, invisible, a spirit, a spiritual being; مینو، مینوی. +EnyG (mînôy / mînúg): spiritual, heavenly, +invisible, a spirit, a spiritual being; مینو، مینوی. nvLp (frakh / frakho): prosperous, auspicious; فرخ. -G_YEajE (yâsmen): a jasmine or jassemine, a kind of flower; یاسمن. +G_YEajE (yâsmen): a jasmine or jassemine, a kind of +flower; یاسمن. -nnTefn (vištâsp): one whose wealth consists of horses; name of the king of the Kananian dynasty, during whose reign Zoroaster propagated the Mazdayasnan religion; گشتاسپ. +nnTefn (vištâsp): one whose wealth consists of +horses; name of the king of the Kananian dynasty, during whose reign Zoroaster +propagated the Mazdayasnan religion; گشتاسپ. -|_Gvn (vohûman): of good mind, the supreme intelligence, the Angel or personification of the good mind, Behman Ameshaspend; بهمن. +|_Gvn (vohûman): of good mind, the supreme +intelligence, the Angel or personification of the good mind, Behman Ameshaspend; +بهمن. -nvjfiDXn (nîyânišn): praise, thanksgiving, adoration, benediction, bowing to salutation, obligation; نیایش. +nvjfiDXn (nîyânišn): praise, thanksgiving, +adoration, benediction, bowing to salutation, obligation; نیایش. nvLan (vârân): rain; باران. -nvjeEi (gêhân): the world, the earth, the material world, property, estate, also sometimes used in the sense of man-folds or settlements; جهان، گیتی، گیهان. +nvjeEi (gêhân): the world, the earth, the material +world, property, estate, also sometimes used in the sense of man-folds or +settlements; جهان، گیتی، گیهان. kajeEi (sâyak): shade, shadow; سایه. nvjfiaTF (stâyišn): to praise, to glorify; ستایش. -TeEnpF (spêndât): name of the son of King Vištâp (Gustâsp), the Kiyanian king during whose reign Prophet Zoroaster flourished and proclaimed the religion; اسفندیار. +TeEnpF (spêndât): name of the son of King Vištâp +(Gustâsp), the Kiyanian king during whose reign Prophet Zoroaster flourished and +proclaimed the religion; اسفندیار. rTF (star): a star, a constellation; ستاره. -ajeE (yazdân): an epithet of God, one worthy of worship, praise, or sacrifice; یزدان. +ajeE (yazdân): an epithet of God, one worthy of +worship, praise, or sacrifice; یزدان. -ajfyLi^ (daryûš): poor, indigent, a darvish, a monk, a mendicant; درویش. +ajfyLi^ (daryûš): poor, indigent, a darvish, a +monk, a mendicant; درویش. rkkanv (khunâkgar): singer, a minstrel; خنیاگر. -nvH_gEa (âsmân): the sky, the heavens, the firmament; آسمان. +nvH_gEa (âsmân): the sky, the heavens, the +firmament; آسمان. -nyjEaH_gEIa (âsîm-âyîn): pertaining to silver; سیمین. +nyjEaH_gEIa (âsîm-âyîn): pertaining to silver; +سیمین. -PlnB__Ra (Albôrz): name of the celebrated lefty mountain-range of Persia, whose highest peak is Mt. Damavand, south of Caspian Sea; may be read as (harburz); البرز. +PlnB__Ra (Albôrz): name of the celebrated lefty +mountain-range of Persia, whose highest peak is Mt. Damavand, south of Caspian +Sea; may be read as (harburz); البرز. -nvTeE~ab (bâmdâtân): of the family of Bam-dat; Bamdat was the ancestor of the family to which Mazdak, the notorious minister of Kobad belonged, from (bâmdât) meaning day-break, dawn; بامداد. +nvTeE~ab (bâmdâtân): of the family of Bam-dat; +Bamdat was the ancestor of the family to which Mazdak, the notorious minister of +Kobad belonged, from (bâmdât) meaning day-break, dawn; بامداد. -nvjfr (Rašna): The angel Rašna presiding over truth & justice and dealing cut reward and punishment at the chinvat Bridge; رشن، رشنا. +nvjfr (Rašna): The angel Rašna presiding over truth +& justice and dealing cut reward and punishment at the chinvat Bridge; رشن، +رشنا. -nnTFM_Ar (ramišn): verb, to give joy, delight, pleasure, cheer, joy, merriment; رامشن، رامش. +nnTFM_Ar (ramišn): verb, to give joy, delight, +pleasure, cheer, joy, merriment; رامشن، رامش. -i^|Z (zand): great, vehement, powerful; a village, a town, or a city, a borough, a district; a heretic, a non-believer in Zoroastrian religion, a revolter against true religion; meaning or interpretation of a text, commentary of Avesta text in Pahlavi, explanation, interpretation; زند. +i^|Z (zand): great, vehement, powerful; a village, +a town, or a city, a borough, a district; a heretic, a non-believer in +Zoroastrian religion, a revolter against true religion; meaning or +interpretation of a text, commentary of Avesta text in Pahlavi, explanation, +interpretation; زند. -TefnTlZ (zartûšt): name of the prophet of ancient Iran, whose creed is followed upto this day by Zoroastrians in India (Parsees) and Iran, the prophet flourished during the reign of the old Kyanian monarch Gushtaspa, who with his family was the first to accept Zoroastrianism; زرتشت، زردشت. +TefnTlZ (zartûšt): name of the prophet of ancient +Iran, whose creed is followed upto this day by Zoroastrians in India (Parsees) +and Iran, the prophet flourished during the reign of the old Kyanian monarch +Gushtaspa, who with his family was the first to accept Zoroastrianism; زرتشت، +زردشت. -gEkvk (kâûs): King Kaus, the second King of Kayanian Dynasti; کاوس، کی کاوس. +gEkvk (kâûs): King Kaus, the second King of +Kayanian Dynasti; کاوس، کی کاوس. -inyG (mînôy): spiritual, heavenly, invisible, a spirit, a spiritual being; مینو، مینوی. +inyG (mînôy): spiritual, heavenly, invisible, a +spirit, a spiritual being; مینو، مینوی. TERa|rG (morvârît): a pearl; مروارید. -pFs|rnp (Pôrûšasp): a proper name, the name of the father of Zarathustra, composite word of s|rnp full, leaden with + pFa (asp) horse, that is to mean, having a large flock of horses; پوروشسپ. +pFs|rnp (Pôrûšasp): a proper name, the name of the +father of Zarathustra, composite word of s|rnp +full, leaden with + pFa (asp) horse, that is to +mean, having a large flock of horses; پوروشسپ. -kgX|rnp_/_w|rnp (pûrnây / pûrnâîk): a full grown young man, a young man of full age; بُرنا. +kgX|rnp_/_w|rnp (pûrnây / pûrnâîk): a full grown +young man, a young man of full age; بُرنا. -TeEsip (Pêšdât): the title of Hoshang, the King next to Gayomard, whence his successors were called Pesdatyans until the accession of Kari-Kavat, the founder of Kai or Kayanian dynasty. The word may mean from sip before + TeE created, or justice or creed-- those believing in the creed, in vogue previous to that of Zoroaster, or previous rulers or administrators, or first established (rulers); پیشداد. +TeEsip (Pêšdât): the title of Hoshang, the King +next to Gayomard, whence his successors were called Pesdatyans until the +accession of Kari-Kavat, the founder of Kai or Kayanian dynasty. The word may +mean from sip before + TeE created, or justice or creed-- those believing in the +creed, in vogue previous to that of Zoroaster, or previous rulers or +administrators, or first established (rulers); پیشداد. -C|rip (pîrûz): Successful, victorious; فیروز، پیروز. +C|rip (pîrûz): Successful, victorious; فیروز، +پیروز. -gERap (Pârs): The provice of Fars in Persia (Iran); پارس. +gERap (Pârs): The provice of Fars in Persia (Iran); +پارس. -rsa|rp (frôhâr): the guardian angel or spirit, a spiritual prototype; فروهر. +rsa|rp (frôhâr): the guardian angel or spirit, a +spiritual prototype; فروهر. -Efrp (parîk): a winged figure, a fairy, a witch, a sorceress; in Avesta it means a demoness, a creature of Angra-Mainyu, whilst div is Masculine; پری. +Efrp (parîk): a winged figure, a fairy, a witch, a +sorceress; in Avesta it means a demoness, a creature of Angra-Mainyu, whilst div +is Masculine; پری. -nnTErp (Frêtûn): Feredun (proper name), the name of an illustious monarch of the Pisdatyan family; فریدون. +nnTErp (Frêtûn): Feredun (proper name), the name of +an illustious monarch of the Pisdatyan family; فریدون. nvrp (frakh): prosperous, auspicious; فرخ. -PeEFDlp (Frâsîâp): name of an unjust and tyrannical Turanian King, who incessantly troubled Iran, and had an hereditory enmity with the Kings of Iran; افراسیاب. +PeEFDlp (Frâsîâp): name of an unjust and tyrannical +Turanian King, who incessantly troubled Iran, and had an hereditory enmity with +the Kings of Iran; افراسیاب. -DEvjelp (frâhang): wisdom, learning, science, knowledge, intellect; فرهنگ. +DEvjelp (frâhang): wisdom, learning, science, +knowledge, intellect; فرهنگ. -kvPlp (farjânak): wise, learned, noble, a wise man, an honourable man; فرزانه. +kvPlp (farjânak): wise, learned, noble, a wise man, +an honourable man; فرزانه. -nvGtp (patmân): measure, standard, regulation, moderation, plan, design, rule, proportion, estimate, compact, agreement, golden mean, metrical measure; پیمان. +nvGtp (patmân): measure, standard, regulation, +moderation, plan, design, rule, proportion, estimate, compact, agreement, golden +mean, metrical measure; پیمان. # Persian Calendar Month Names -nyjEl|rp (Farvardîn): same as nyTl|rp (farvartîn), belonging to Farvar or Fravashi, the name of the 1st month & 19th day of every month of Zoroastrian Year; فروردین. +nyjEl|rp (Farvardîn): same as nyTl|rp (farvartîn), belonging to Farvar or Fravashi, the +name of the 1st month & 19th day of every month of Zoroastrian Year; فروردین. -tsfPXanatra (arta vahišt): name of the second Amahraspand (divine deity) in Zoroastrianism, "right"; اردیبهشت. +tsfPXanatra (arta vahišt): name of the second +Amahraspand (divine deity) in Zoroastrianism, "right"; اردیبهشت. -ta#r|_Ga (amôrtat): immortal, name of the sixth Amahraspand (divine deity) in Zoroastrianism; مرداد. +ta#r|_Ga (amôrtat): immortal, name of the sixth +Amahraspand (divine deity) in Zoroastrianism; مرداد. -naba (âbân): eighth month of the Zoroastrian calendar; آبان. +naba (âbân): eighth month of the Zoroastrian +calendar; آبان. -|_Gvn (vohûman): of good mind, the supreme intelligence, the Angel or personification of the good mind, Behman Ameshaspend; بهمن. +|_Gvn (vohûman): of good mind, the supreme +intelligence, the Angel or personification of the good mind, Behman Ameshaspend; +بهمن. -tGynpF (spend-armat): name of an Amesha-spenta who has special charge of the Earth and women: sometimes it is the mother Eart, it is also the name of the 12th month of the year and also the fifth day of the month of Zoroastrian Calendar; اسفند، اسپندارمد. +tGynpF (spend-armat): name of an Amesha-spenta who +has special charge of the Earth and women: sometimes it is the mother Eart, it +is also the name of the 12th month of the year and also the fifth day of the +month of Zoroastrian Calendar; اسفند، اسپندارمد. # Additional resources -- [Introduction to Pahlavi by Prods OKTOR SKJÆRVØ](/files/pahlavi/Pahlavi Primer - Prods Oktor Skjaerv.pdf): a great resource with introduction to grammar, a lot of words and full text translations. -- [Avestan Digital Archive](https://ada.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/): a search engine for manuscripts -- [Avesta - Zoroastrian Archives](avesta.org/): has some of the texts and other resources related to Avesta and Zoroastrianism -- [Persian to Pahlavi Dictionary by Bahram Farehvashi](/files/pahlavi/Persian-Pahlavi-Dictionary.pdf): a dictionary from modern Persian to Pahlavi (only includes transliterated Pahlavi) -- [Bundahiśn Dictionary by Mehrdad Bahar](/files/pahlavi/GL-bundahisn.pdf): a dictionary from Pahlavi to Modern Persian -- [Name'e Pahlavi: Self-taught Pahlavi by Fereydoon Janidi](/files/pahlavi/NPrg.pdf): A book for self-taught Pahlavi in Persian -- [Small Dictionary of Middle Persian](/files/pahlavi/ParsiMianeh.pdf): A small dictionary of Middle Persian words, along with their Modern Persian equivalent and transliteration -- [A Concise Pahlavi Dictionary by McKenzie](/files/pahlavi/A-Concise-Pahlavi-Dictionary.pdf): A small dictionary of Middle Persian words, along with their Modern Persian equivalent and transliteration -- [An Old Zand-Pahlavi Glossary by Hoshang Jamaspji Asa](/files/pahlavi/An-Old-Zand-Pahlavi-Glossary.pdf): An Avestan to Pahlavi dictonary -- [Parsi Anjoman](https://parsianjoman.org/): a website and community full of resources dedicated to preservation of Persian language +- [Introduction to Pahlavi by Prods OKTOR SKJÆRVØ](/files/pahlavi/Pahlavi Primer + - Prods Oktor Skjaerv.pdf): a great resource with introduction to grammar, a + lot of words and full text translations. +- [Avestan Digital Archive](https://ada.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/): a search + engine for manuscripts +- [Avesta - Zoroastrian Archives](avesta.org/): has some of the texts and other + resources related to Avesta and Zoroastrianism +- [Persian to Pahlavi Dictionary by Bahram + Farehvashi](/files/pahlavi/Persian-Pahlavi-Dictionary.pdf): a dictionary from + modern Persian to Pahlavi (only includes transliterated Pahlavi) +- [Bundahiśn Dictionary by Mehrdad Bahar](/files/pahlavi/GL-bundahisn.pdf): a + dictionary from Pahlavi to Modern Persian +- [Name'e Pahlavi: Self-taught Pahlavi by Fereydoon + Janidi](/files/pahlavi/NPrg.pdf): A book for self-taught Pahlavi in Persian +- [Small Dictionary of Middle Persian](/files/pahlavi/ParsiMianeh.pdf): A small + dictionary of Middle Persian words, along with their Modern Persian equivalent + and transliteration +- [A Concise Pahlavi Dictionary by + McKenzie](/files/pahlavi/A-Concise-Pahlavi-Dictionary.pdf): A small dictionary + of Middle Persian words, along with their Modern Persian equivalent and + transliteration +- [An Old Zand-Pahlavi Glossary by Hoshang Jamaspji + Asa](/files/pahlavi/An-Old-Zand-Pahlavi-Glossary.pdf): An Avestan to Pahlavi + dictonary +- [Parsi Anjoman](https://parsianjoman.org/): a website and community full of + resources dedicated to preservation of Persian language # References