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Spoken living languages
AIMAQ
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[AIQ] 170,000 (1993 Johnstone). Mazanderan Province. Dialects:
TEIMURI (TEIMURTASH). Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian.
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ALVIRI-VIDARI
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[AVD] Near Saveh. Dialects:
ALVIR (ALVIRI), VIDAR (VIDARI). Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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ARABIC, GULF SPOKEN
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[AFB] 200,000 in Iran (1993). Southern coast. Alternate
names: KHALIJI, GULF ARABIC. Dialects:
AL-HASAA. Classification:
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic.
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ARABIC, MESOPOTAMIAN SPOKEN
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[ACM] 1,200,000 in Iran. Khuzestan Province,
southwest side of Zagros Mts., along the bank of the Shatt al Arab and the
Tigris. Alternate names:
MESOPOTAMIAN GELET ARABIC. Classification:
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic.
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ARMENIAN
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[ARM] 170,800 in Iran (1993). Northern Iran,
Azerbaijan around Khoi, Shahpur, Ahar, Tabriz, Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz. Alternate
names: HAIEREN, SOMEKHURI, ERMENICE, ARMJANSKI. Dialects:
EASTERN ARMENIAN, AGULIS, ASTRAKHAN, EREVAN, JOLFA (DZHULFA), KARABAGH
SHAMAKHI, TBILISI (TIFLIS), ARTVIN, KHOI-SALMST (KHVOY), URMIA-MARAGHEH. Classification:
Indo-European, Armenian.
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ASHTIANI
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[ATN] Tafres area. Alternate
names: ASTIANI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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ASSYRIAN NEO-ARAMAIC
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[AII] 10,000 to 20,000 in Iran (1994) out of a
reported population of 80,000. Reza'iyeh (Rizaiye, Urmia, Urmi). Most in
Tehran. Dialects: IRANIAN KOINE
(GENERAL URMI). Classification:
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern.
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AZERBAIJANI, SOUTH
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[AZB] 23,500,000 in Iran (1997), or 37.3% of the
population (1997), including 290,000 Afshar, 5,000 Aynallu, 7,500 Baharlu,
1,000 Moqaddam, 3,500 Nafar 1,000 Pishagchi, 3,000 Qajar, 2,000 Qaragozlu,
130,000 Shahsavani (1993). Population total all countries 24,364,000. Alternate
names: AZERI. Dialects:
AYNALLU (INALLU, INANLU), KARAPAPAKH, TABRIZ, AFSHARI (AFSHAR, AFSAR),
SHAHSAVANI (SHAHSEVEN), MOQADDAM, BAHARLU (KAMESH), NAFAR, QARAGOZLU,
PISHAGCHI, BAYAT, QAJAR. Classification:
Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani.
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BALOCHI, SOUTHERN
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[BCC] 405,000 in Iran. Southern Baluchistan Province.
Alternate names: BALUCHI, BALUCI,
BALOCI. Dialects: MAKRANI (LOTUNI).
Classification: Indo-European,
Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi.
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BALOCHI, WESTERN
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[BGN] 451,000 in Iran, 1% of the population (1986).
Northern Baluchistan Province. Half are settled in cities and villages,
half are nomadic. Alternate names:
BALUCHI, BALUCI, BALOCI. Dialects:
RAKHSHANI (RAXSHANI), SARAWANI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi.
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BASHKARDI
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[BSG] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi.
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BRAHUI
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[BRH] 10,000 in Iran (1983). Eastern. Alternate names: BRAHUDI, BIRAHUI, KUR GALLI. Dialects:
JHARAWAN, KALAT, SARAWAN. Classification:
Dravidian, Northern.
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DARI
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[GBZ] 8,000 to 15,000 (1999). Yezd and Kerman areas. Alternate
names: 'GABRI', 'GABAR'. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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DOMARI
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[RMT] 80,000 in Iran (1929). Population total all
countries 500,000 (1980 Kenrick). Alternate
names: MIDDLE EASTERN ROMANI, TSIGENE, GYPSY. Dialects: KURBATI (GHORBATI), QINATI, YÜRÜK, KOLI, KARACHI, LULI,
MAZNOUG, NAWAR. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Dom.
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DZHIDI
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[DZH] (60,000 in Israel; 1995). Alternate names: JUDEO-PERSIAN, DJUDI, JUDI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western,
Southwestern, Persian.
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ESHTEHARDI
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[ESH] Eshtehard and environs, Karaj District, Central
Province. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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FARS
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[FAC] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Fars.
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FARSI, WESTERN
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[PES] 22,000,000 in Iran, or 35.92% of the population
(1997), including 800,000 Dari in Khorasan, Gilan, Tat, Bakhtiyari, Lor.
Population total all countries 24,280,000. Alternate names: PERSIAN, PARSI. Dialects: QAZVINI, MAHALLATI, HAMADANI, KASHANI, ISFAHANI, SEDEHI,
KERMANI, ARAKI, SHIRAZI, JAHROMI, SHAHRUDI, KAZERUNI, MASHADI (MESHED),
BASSERI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian.
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GAZI
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[GZI] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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GEORGIAN
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[GEO] 1,000 to 10,000 in Iran. Alternate names: KARTULI, GRUZIN. Dialects: FEREYDAN (FEREJDAN). Classification: South Caucasian, Georgian.
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GILAKI
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[GLK] 3,265,000 (1993), including 2,000 Galeshi (1991
WA). Gilan region, coastal plain, south of Talish. Galeshi is a mountain
dialect. Alternate names: GELAKI,
GILANI, GUILAKI, GUILANI. Dialects:
GALESHI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Caspian.
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GOZARKHANI
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[GOZ] Alamut area. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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HARZANI
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[HRZ] West Azerbaijan Province, Qalingie, betweenf
Marand and Jolfa, northwest of Tabriz. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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HAWRAMI
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[HAC] West part of Kordestan Province, near Iraq
border. Alternate names:
HAWRAMANI, GURANI, GORANI, MÂCHO MÂCHO. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Zaza-Gorani.
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HAZARAGI
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[HAZ] 283,000 in Iran (1993). Alternate names: HAZARA, HEZAREH, HEZARE'I. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western,
Southwestern, Persian.
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HERKI
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[HEK] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish.
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JADGALI
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[JAV] Alternate
names: JATGALI, JATKI, JAT. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Sindhi.
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KABATEI
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[XKP] Rudbar District, Gilan Province. Dialects:
KALAS, KABATE. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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KAJALI
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[XKJ] Khalkhal District in Eastern Azerbaijan
Province, Kaqazkonan District, Kajal. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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KARINGANI
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[KGN] East Azerbaijan Province, Dizmar District,
Keringan village, and Hasanu District, northeast of Tabriz. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western,
Northwestern, Talysh.
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KAZAKH
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[KAZ] 3,000 in Iran (1982 estimate). Gorgan City,
Mazandaran Province. Alternate
names: KAZAK, KAZAKHI, GAZAQI. Classification:
Altaic, Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian.
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KHALAJ
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[KJF] Also spoken in Azerbaijan. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western,
Northwestern.
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KHALAJ
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[KLJ] 17,000 and decreasing (1968). Northeast of Arak
in Central Province. Classification:
Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani.
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KHOINI
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[XKC] Khoin District, Zanjan Province. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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KHORASANI TURKISH
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[KMZ] 400,000 possibly (1977 Doerfer). Northeast
Iran, in the northern part of Khorasan Province, especially northwest of
Mashhad. West dialect in Bojnurd region; north dialect in Quchan region
(probably the largest), south dialect around Soltanabad near Sabzevar. Alternate names: QUCHANI. Dialects:
WEST QUCHANI (NORTHWEST QUCHANI), NORTH QUCHANI (NORTHEAST QUCHANI), SOUTH
QUCHANI. Classification: Altaic,
Turkic, Southern, Turkish.
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KHUNSARI
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[KFM] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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KORESH-E ROSTAM
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[OKH] Eastern Azerbaijan Province, Koresh-e Rostam
District. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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KOROSHI
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[KTL] 160 to 200, or 40 to 50 families (Mohamedi). Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi.
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KURDI
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[KDB] 3,250,000 in Iran. Northwest Iran, primarily
Kordestan, Kermanshahan, West Azerbaijan provinces; also a large number in
northeast Iran, in the very north of Khorasan Province. Alternate names: KURDY, SOUTHERN KURDISH, SORANI, KORKORA, WÂWÂ.
Dialects: KERMANSHAHI, MUKRI,
JAFI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish.
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KURMANJI
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[KUR] 200,000 in Iran (1983 estimate). Mountain
villages along the Turkey border region in the west of West Azerbaijan
Province. Alternate names:
NORTHERN KURDISH, KERMANJI, KIRMANJI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish.
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LARI
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[LRL] Alternate
names: LARESTANI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Fars.
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LASGERDI
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[LSA] In Lasgerd. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Semnani.
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LURI
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[LRI] 4,280,000 in Iran (1993) including 680,000
Bakhtiari (1989). Population total all countries 4,280,000 or more. Alternate
names: LUR, LOR, LORI. Dialects:
LURI, FEYLI, LEKI (LAKI, ALAKI), BAKHTIARI, KELHURI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Luri.
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MANDAIC
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[MID] 800 to 1,000 speakers in Iran, out of an ethnic
group of 5,000 in Khuzistan, Iran who speak Western Farsi. 23,000 ethnic
Mandaeans in Iraq all speak Arabic (1994 H. Mutzafi), but some people are
reported to be bilingual in Mandaic. Population total both countries 800
to 1,000. Alternate names:
MANDAEAN, NEO-MANDAIC, MODERN MANDAIC, MANDA:YI, MANDI, SUBBI, SA'IBA. Dialects:
AHWAZ (AHVAZ), SHUSHTAR, IRAQI NEO-MANDAIC. Classification:
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Mandaic.
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MARAGHEI
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[VMH] Upper Rudbar area (Rudbare Alamut). Dialects:
DIKINI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western,
Northwestern, Talysh.
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MAZANDERANI
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[MZN] 3,265,000 or 4.7% of the population (1993).
Northern Iran near Caspian Sea, southern half of Mazandaran Province. Alternate
names: TABRI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Caspian.
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NATANZI
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[NTZ] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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NAYINI
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[NYQ] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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PARSI-DARI
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[PRD] Population total both countries 350,000 or
more. Alternate names:
PARSEE-DARI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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PASHTO, SOUTHERN
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[PBT] 113,000 in Iran (1993). Khorasan on Afghanistan
border east of Qa'en. Alternate
names: PASHTU, PAKTU. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto.
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QASHQA'I
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[QSQ] 1,500,000 (1997), or 2.38% of the population
(1997). Southwestern Iran, Fars Province; southern pasture in winter,
northern in summer. Shiraz is a center. Alternate
names: QASHQAY, QASHQAI, KASHKAI. Classification:
Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani.
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RASHTI
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[RSH] Rasht city, the provincial capital of Gilan. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Caspian.
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RAZAJERDI
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[RAT] Qazvin Kuhpaye area, Razajerd. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western,
Northwestern, Talysh.
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ROMANI, BALKAN
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[RMN] Dialects:
ZARGARI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Romani, Balkan.
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RUDBARI
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[RDB] Sefid Rud Valley. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western,
Northwestern, Talysh.
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SALCHUQ
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[SLQ] Classification:
Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani.
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SANGISARI
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[SGR] Alternate
names: SANGESARI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Semnani.
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SEMNANI
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[SMJ] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Semnani.
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SENAYA
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[SYN] 60 in Iran (1997 H. Mutzafi). Population total
all countries 500. Alternate names:
SENA:YA, CHRISTIAN NEO-ARAMAIC, SHAN SRAY, LSHAN SRAY, SORAY, SRAY, SHAN
GYANAN. Classification:
Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern.
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SHAHMIRZADI
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[SRZ] Shahmirzad. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Caspian.
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SHAHRUDI
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[SHM] Khalkhal District in Eastern Azerbaijan
Province, Shahrud District, Shal, Kolur, Lerd. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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SHIKAKI
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[SHF] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish.
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SIVANDI
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[SIY] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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SOI
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[SOJ] Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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SORKHEI
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[SQO] In Sorkhe. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Semnani.
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TAKESTANI
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[TKS] 220,000. Various towns and villages in the
mainly Azerbaijani-speaking region from Khalkhal to Saveh, especially in
Takestan and villages to the south and southeast. Alternate
names: TAKISTANI. Dialects:
KHALKHAL, TAROM, ZANJAN, KHARAQAN, RAMAND (TAKESTAN). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western,
Northwestern, Talysh.
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TALYSH
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[TLY] 112,000 in Iran (1993). Along the Caspian Sea
up to Kepri-chal, northwest Gilan Province along coastal plain. Northern
Talyshi is centered around Astara and the Caspian littoral in Azerbaijan;
Central Talyshi is centered around the Asalem-Hashtpar area along the
Caspian littoral in northwestern Iran; Southern Talyshi is centered around
Shandermen, Masal, Masule, and surrounding mountainous areas in Gilan
Province. Alternate names:
TALISH, TALESH, TALISHI. Dialects:
NORTHERN TALYSHI, CENTRAL TALYSHI, SOUTHERN TALYSHI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western,
Northwestern, Talysh.
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TAROMI, UPPER
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[TIB] Upper Tarom of Zanjan Province, Hazarrud,
Siavarud. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh.
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TAT, MUSLIM
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[TTT] 8,000 in Iran. Alternate
names: MUSSULMAN TATI. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Tat.
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TURKMEN
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[TCK] 2,000,000 in Iran (1997), or 3.17% of the
population (1997). Northeast, mainly in Mazandaran Province, along the
Turkmenistan border; important centers are Gonbad-e Kavus and Pahlavi
Dezh. Alternate names:
TORKOMANI. Dialects: ANAULI,
KHASARLI, NEREZIM, NOKHURLI (NOHUR), CHAVDUR, ESARI (ESARY), GOKLEN
(GOKLAN), SALYR, SARYQ, TEKE (TEKKE), YOMUD (YOMUT), TRUKMEN. Classification:
Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Turkmenian.
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VAFSI
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[VAF] Central Province, Arak District, Vafs, Tafres
area. Classification:
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Central Iran.
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