Should You Really Learn Persian?

Why learn Persian in India? What are the importance and benefits of studying Farsi, Dari, or Tajik language? I’ve got 12 convincing reasons for you to consider.

Introduction

Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Persian, Arabic, and Turkish are the three most widely spoken languages in West Asia, also known as the Middle East.

All three are distinct, though Arabic and Persian are written in different scripts within the same alphabet. Persian script is also called Perso-Arabic.

Persian is somewhat similar to various languages of Northern India and European languages, as they all belong to the same language family, Indo-European.

Persian is among the most important languages of the Middle East. Pashto, Balochi, Luri, and various Kurdish tongues such as Kurmanji, Sorani, and Palewani are other widely spoken Iranian languages in West Asia.

Persian and Pashto are the most widely spoken Western and Eastern Iranian languages, respectively. Although they belong to the same language family, they are distinct and not mutually intelligible.

Persian is called ‘Farsi’ in Iran, ‘Dari’ in Afghanistan, and ‘Tajik’ in Tajikistan. It is among the world’s 25 most widely spoken languages, with over 62 million Indigenous speakers and about 50 million more who speak it as a second language.

12 Good Reasons to Learn Persian (Farsi) in India

There are plenty of reasons to learn a foreign language. If you’re not sure which language to learn, you can indeed consider Persian!

There are several advantages to learning Persian as a foreign language in India. West Asian languages like Persian (Farsi, Dari, or Tajik) give you an edge in an increasingly competitive world.

Here are 12 reasons why you should learn Persian as a second language.

1. The second most spoken language in West Asia

It is the official language of Iran (the surviving state of the Persian Empire), Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

It is also spoken in various dialects, like Uzbekistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Large communities in Turkey, Europe, Australia, Canada, and the USA use the language.

Historically, Persian was a more widely understood language from the Middle East to India.

Today, roughly 150 million people worldwide speak Persian. This number includes people who speak Persian (Farsi, Dari, or Tajik) as a mother tongue or second language, as well as students who do not live in Persian-speaking countries. It is ranked among the world’s top 25 most widely spoken languages.

2. A language of Historical importance

Persian was once one of the most widely spoken languages in the Middle East. It is a language that evokes ancient civilizations, dating back to Biblical times and the era of empires (such as the Persian Empire) and renowned kings.

Although those times are far gone, you can relive them through the mirror of learning the language itself. Knowing Persian can help you understand specific historical narratives, particularly the Middle East’s political, economic, and socio-economic order.

Scholars, educated rulers, elites, and historians from India, Central Asia, and parts of Iran, Afghanistan, and the Ottoman lands have produced rich literature, historical manuscripts, and lithographically printed books in Persian.

Subjects covered include history, travel, customs, literature, arts, poetry, current events, and traditional topics such as the history of Islamic civilization.

3. Open up new Career and Job Opportunities

One of the most significant benefits of learning less taught languages is providing access to a new world. Career Options in a foreign language is an essential factor.

If you live in Western Europe or America, you will notice that very few people enroll in Persian language classes.

The situation isn’t much different for Indian foreign-language learners either.

Given the scarcity of Persian speakers and the difficulty of finding is on a resume, Proficiency in Persian will help you stand out in job recruitment, including language roles in the region or with companies interested in where it is spoken.

4. A career in Government Agencies

Many government agencies in India, the US, and Europe are in high demand for Farsi Dari or Tajik language speakers, given Iran’s and the Middle East’s geopolitical importance.

The military, intelligence, and diplomatic agencies of India, the US, and others are keen to encourage and recruit people who study Persian.

Indian Government entities, such as the External Affairs Ministry, the Tourism Department, the Intelligence Agency, and the Foreign National Embassy, offer diverse job opportunities for Persian experts.

5. Business opportunities and Huge economic benefits

It is no secret that Iran and the Persian language are rich in crude oil and other natural mineral resources.

Suppose you are in the oil business or work as a rig engineer for oil companies in these places. You can then learn Persian, as it would be an added advantage on your resume and in interacting with society.

If, as an Indian business owner, you want to increase your market share by diversifying your market, your ability to reach the ever-increasing Persian market would create many opportunities.

Besides, the people of Iran are very welcoming and hospitable toward foreigners, especially Indians, so they would be more than glad to help you learn Persian.

With a population of over 100 million speakers, Iran is a significant market you can tap into. Iran is the second-largest economy in the Middle East and holds the fourth-largest oil reserves and the second-largest natural gas reserves.

Given its cultural complexity, your ability to communicate in Farsi will give you a substantial economic advantage, both now and in the future.

6. You can benefit more from travel experiences

Iran is a stunningly beautiful country with a diverse, vibrant, unique, and long history. The nation has many historic sites and some of the friendliest people in the world. Iran is home to more than 17 UNESCO heritage sites.

These include a bazaar complex, monastic ensembles, a palace, an old hydraulic system, and more. Iran is a geographically diverse place of indescribable beauty. Over 5 million people visit this country annually, supporting the tourism and travel industry.

You, too, can enjoy the best of your leisure and holiday time. Traveling will become more comfortable for you when you start speaking Farsi.

Read → (i) Should I Learn Turkish? (ii) Learn Persian in Delhi (iii) Arabic Classes in Delhi (iv) Benefits of Arabic (iv) Top Arabic Films (v) Best Persian Movies (vi) Movies to Learn Turkish.

7. India-Iran relations

A reliable and stable historical relationship between India and Iran spans centuries. There is also an active trade relationship, with people-to-people links, between the Persian Gulf and India. Iran is strategically crucial for India in many ways.

For instance, India is currently constructing a 560-mile railroad that will link the Iranian port and, together with Afghanistan, provide access to iron ore. This venture is designed to address a significant strategic and geopolitical need.

Once completed, the track will enable India to bypass Pakistan’s influence and open the door for Indian companies to explore and gain from Afghanistan. It is worth $3 trillion in minerals, including an improved bilateral trade route with Iran.

With many of these opportunities in place, learning Persian (Farsi) will always be an excellent way to strengthen ties with Iran.

8. Persian Historic Influence in India

The impact of the Persian language on India cannot be overemphasized. Before the British took over and colonized India’s subcontinent, Persian was the region’s lingua franca and was widely used as an official language.

During the Gurkani dynasty, many Iranian authors, poets, and intellectuals emigrated to India, contributing to the growth of the national language.

Hundreds of ancient books on geography, geology, medicine, chemistry, philosophy, and mysticism were written in Persian and kept in museums in India.

The Indian bureaucratic system also used Persian in schools, official documents, and correspondence. Studying Persian will enable Indians to get the most out of ancient literature, which is rich in information.

9. A rich culture

Proficiency in Persian broadens your awareness of a rich, diverse culture.

Centuries-old and modern Persian literature, including the works of Rumi, Hafez, and Ferdowsi, prominent Sufi and epic poets, has inspired creators and writers across the globe.

Persian literature continues to attract a foreign audience.

Iran is also a significant producer of high-quality, internationally renowned films that have received Oscars, Bodils, Césars, and many other awards.

Persian culture is also famous for its tile work, intricate mosaics, and miniature paintings. Their finely woven carpets and rugs, with breathtaking colors, are classic examples of Persian culture, and the language can help you enjoy them.

10. A bridge between other tongues

Persians have lived in India, Turkey, Armenia, and other places for many years. Thus, most native languages in these places have incorporated and used more than a handful of Persian words in their everyday use.

Persian tongues have greatly influenced Turkish, Armenian, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, and more. Therefore, learning Persian will broaden your knowledge of these other languages.

If you’re fluent in English, you already know a slew of Persian words, including a bazaar, candy, caravan, caviar, lemon, kebab, naan, orange, pajama, paneer, pashmina, pistachio, samosa, shawl, sitar, spinach, sugar, tambourine, and typhoon, among others.

11. Interpretation and Translation

Are you interested in a career in Translation and Interpretation? If you dream of working in this field, learning and understanding Persian will further enhance your qualifications.

It is one of the most valuable languages in the world because learning Persian is challenging. However, the number of people proficient in the corresponding language is much lower.

Given the considerable number of Persian speakers, demand for interpretation and translation services is consistently strong, especially in the freelance language market.

You can work from home as a translator or get employed as an interpreter for various governments, corporations, and private agencies/organizations.

12. Persian is Difficult, but you can learn

Persian is undoubtedly a tricky language to learn. But if you put in enough effort, you will find a straightforward tongue to acquire.

The language has not changed significantly over the last millennium. The basic grammar for the classical and contemporary forms has not changed, and it’s simple to learn and understand.

Persian grammar is simple, with few exceptions and rules. However, it takes time to reach upper-intermediate proficiency due to unique pronunciation and writing structures.

Mastering a foreign language takes time, and Persian is no exception. Are you convinced now to learn Persian? It is not hard to master.

Final thought

Persian is one of many overlooked but richly essential languages of the 21st century. Since very few people speak the language fluently in India, employers in the region highly value candidates with proficiency in the language.

Learning Persian is a smart move given the ongoing growth of the global economy.