Linguistic Composition of Iran

نقشه زبان در ایران

Language •
by Rezwan on 11/28 at 09:20 AM
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Here’s a map showing the distribution of languages spoken in Iran by MESH, Middle East Strategy at Harvard. 

Synonym

Words • Vocabulary • Spelling •
by Rezwan on 07/14 at 10:32 PM
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International Phonetic Association

?بینالمللی

Letters • Phonemes • Transliteration •
by Rezwan on 04/04 at 11:46 PM
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You may be wondering why this site chooses not to use the International Phonetic Association (IPA)'s notation to transliterate Persian text.
The main reason is that we want to keep things simple.

We can't be bothered to find the keystroke combination to type up the special characters needed for phonetic representation of sounds.

We figure none of our users will be able to either. So we use a simple system that, if you follow it consistently, will give you the ability to read and figure out Persian words written in English.

Bonus value: Our system is practical and easy for text-messaging.

We do, however, encourage you to look into the international phonetic methods on your own. Knock yourself out.

Below is an example of the IPA's notation for vowels. Click on the image to go to their page and download the entire chart.

The Language Instinct:  How the Mind Creates Language

ترجمه لطفا

Language • Grammar • Academic Language • Basic Communication • Creativity •
by Rezwan on 03/27 at 08:17 AM
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Following fast on the heels of Joel Davis’s Mother Tongue ( LJ 12/93) is another provocative and skillfully written book by an MIT professor who specializes in the language development of children. While Pinker covers some of the same ground as did Davis, he argues that an “innate grammatical machinery of the brain” exists, which allows children to “reinvent” language on their own. Basing his ideas on Noam Chomsky’s Universal Grammar theory, Pinker describes language as a “discrete combinatorial system” that might easily have evolved via natural selection. Pinker steps on a few toes (language mavens beware!), but his work, while controversial, is well argued, challenging, often humorous, and always fascinating. Most public and academic libraries will want to add this title to their collections.
- Laurie Bartolini, Lincoln Lib., Springfield, Ill.

Steven Pinker

Paradoxical Commandments - use of adverb “anyway”.

فرمانهای متناقض

Grammar • Parts of speech • Adverbs •
by Rezwan on 06/14 at 01:19 AM
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Here is a text that highlights one of my favorite Adverbs, “Anyway”.  We have translated it into “به هر حال” in Persian.  Here, then, is the translation of Kent Keith’s “Paradoxical Commandments” in Persian!  Translated with the help of Dr. Razani and Ms. Javadpour.

Here are the commandments in English:

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Kent M. Keith

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
   Love them anyway.


2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
   Do good anyway.


3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
   Succeed anyway.


4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
   Do good anyway.


5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
   Be honest and frank anyway.


6. The biggest men with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men with the smallest minds.
   Think big anyway.


7. People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs.
   Fight for a few underdogs anyway.


8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
   Build anyway.


9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
   Help people anyway.


10. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
    Give the world the best you have anyway.

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001.

Below in Persian: