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 from a subgroup of 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 or the Middle East.

All three are different, though Arabic and Persian are written in other versions of the same alphabet. Persian script is also called Perso-Arabic.

Persian is somewhat similar to various tongues of Northern India and European languages since 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 spoken Western and Eastern Iranic languages. While all belong to the same language family, they are different 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 popularly spoken languages, boasting over 62 million Indigenous speakers, and about 50 million more 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 multiple advantages associated with 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. 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 a second language and 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 popular tongues in the Middle East. It is a language that evokes ancient civilization—back to Biblical times and the era of empires (like the Persian Empire) and kings of renowned historical antecedents.

Although those times are far gone, you can relive them through the mirror of learning the language itself. Knowing the Persian language can help you understand the concept of a particular historical narrative, 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 absence of Persian speakers and how difficult it is to find on a resume, Proficiency in Persian will make you stand out from the crowd during job recruitment, including language job recruitment including language in the region or among companies interested in where it is spoken.

4. A career in Government Agencies

Many government agencies in India and places like the US and Europe highly demand Farsi Dari or Tajik language speakers if we consider Iran and the Middle East’s geopolitical importance.

The military, intelligence, and diplomatic agencies of India, the US, and more are keen on encouraging and recruiting people who study Persian.

Indian Government entities, such as the External Affairs Ministry, Tourism Department, Intelligence Agency, Foreign National Embassy, etc., offer varied job opportunities to 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, you are into a business and want to increase your market share by diversifying your marketplace, Then your ability to market to the ever-increasing Persian world would open many opportunities for you.

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 one hundred million speakers, Iran is a tremendous potential market you can tap into. Iran is the second-largest economy in the Middle East, and the country holds the fourth-largest reserves of oil and the second-largest of natural gas.

Considering its complex idiosyncrasies and 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 plenty of historic places 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 from the Persian Gulf to 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, 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 reliance and open the door for Indian companies to explore and make gains from Afghanistan. It is $3 trillion worth of minerals, including an improved bilateral trade route with Iran.

With many of these opportunities in place, learning Persian or Farsi will always be an excellent choice to encourage stronger 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 nation’s language growth.

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

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

9. A rich culture

Proficiency in Persian opens up your awareness of a rich and uniquely diverse culture.

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

Literature in the Persian language continues to attract a foreign audience.

Iran is also a significant producer of high-quality, internationally renowned films that have received Oscar, Bodil, Cesar, 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 rich culture the language can help you to enjoy.

10. A bridge between other tongues

Persian Persians have lived in India, Turkey, Armenia, and other places for many years. Thus, most native languages in these places have picked up and used more than a handful of Persian words in their daily native language 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 the beauty of 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.

Since there is a considerable size of Persian speakers, the demand for interpretation and translation jobs always exists, especially in the freelance language market.

You can work from home as a translator or get employed as an interpreter for various governments, corporate, 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 elementary and without many exceptions and rules. However, it takes time to achieve upper intermediate competency due to some unique and different 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 fluently in India, employers with interests in the region highly seek out those with proficiency in the language.

Learning how to speak the Persian language is taking advantage of the continuous growth of the global economy.