Iranian Languages

Iranian languages is a branch of our own language family, the Indo-European, and is currently spoken not only in Iran but also in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and several other countries in Central Asia and the Near East. Courses in Iranian languages are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It includes courses in Persian, Balochi and Kurdish, among others.

Persian

The main modern Iranian language is Persian (New Persian), which is the official language of Iran and now also one of Sweden's most important immigrant languages. The main aim of the basic course is to provide a good knowledge of Persian through the study of grammar and modern and classical texts. Speaking and writing exercises are also included.

Apart from language, the studies also include courses in Iranian culture, religion and history. They present the 2,500-year history of the Iranian cultural community in a perspective that integrates linguistic, political, religious and literary developments. Persian literature is very rich. Poetry in particular contains many of the masterpieces of world literature. The reading of Persian prose and poetry is included in the course at all levels.

Kurdish

Kurdish is currently spoken by around 30 million people in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Kurdish is one of two official languages in Iraq under the new Iraqi constitution and the official language of the Kurdistan Region.

The written language can be divided into two main dialects, Southern Kurdish (Sorani) and Northern Kurdish (Kurmanji). Kurdish literature began to develop in the 16th century in semi-autonomous Kurdish emirates under Ottoman or Iranian rule. The basic courses in first-cycle studies aim to provide good knowledge of Kurdish through the study of grammar and texts. Speaking and writing exercises are also included as well as courses on Kurdish realia, i.e. the religious, political, cultural and social conditions of Kurdistan. The first semester focuses mainly on the study of Southern Kurdish, but in the following semesters, both dialects are studied in parallel and comparatively.

Balochi

Balochi is spoken by more than 10 million people in Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Oman, Turkmenistan, East Africa and other nearby countries. The language can be divided into three main dialects, Western, Eastern and Southern Balochi. Balochi has a rich oral literature, while written literature and a standard language are still at a nascent stage. Courses are given at first cycle level.