The People of Iran: “Iranian” or “Persian”?

(or, “What’s in a Name?”)

​In my last blogpost, I introduced you to Rokhsareh Yassi, my niece (daughter of my husband’s sister in the photo) who lives in Saveh, Iran. During my video-taped interview with her (in English), she said, “I like to call Iranian people ‘Persian people’—the old name of us.” So, for those of us who may still wonder what the difference is between “Iranian people” and “Persian people,” what does her statement mean?
 

• Does it mean that the more correct way to refer to the people of Iran is “Persian,” not “Iranian”?
  
• Does it mean that “Iranian” means one thing and “Persian” means another?  
  
• Or does it mean that the term “Persian” is preferable to “Iranian” because there is

            less stigma attached to it?
 
Answer: Both “Iranian” and “Persian” are legitimate terms, and both terms are related—but not everyone considers them interchangeable. The term “Iranians,” quite simply, refers to all people who are native to Iran.
 
That said, there are many different ethnic or tribal groups within the country. The largest and probably best-known group is the Persian Iranians. Their heritage can be traced back to the original inhabitants of the ancient Persian empire (of which modern-day Iran occupies a central portion. For this reason, some Iranians refer to Iran as “Persia,” and prefer to be called “Persians,” like Rokhsareh.) But there are also Azeri Iranians, Golaki Iranians, Kurdish Iranians, and several other Iranian groups in the country. So, in terms of ethnicity, not all Iranians can be said to be Persian. But again, when Rokhsareh said she prefers to call the people of Iran “Persian people,” she is referring to her country’s historical and geographical ties to Persia, and to the inhabitants of Iran by extension.
 
At the same time, it is very important to note that there are many people who identify as Persian who are from other central Asian countries, including Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the Persian Gulf States.
 
But, returning our focus to the people of Iran and what to call them, it can also be said that because of the longtime political tensions between Iran and America, some Iranians are tempted to identify themselves as “Persian” rather than “Iranian” to their non-Iranian contacts. They do so just to avoid dealing with the negative press often associated with “Iranians.” Popular Iranian American comedian Maz Jobrani explains it in his own words in the following comic routine: ​https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxm8WVKtdSAyr2XCWHAYw11a-VEkp3AqEE

Another point of confusion that comes up frequently is the question, What is Iran’s national language—the language most Iranians speak, that is. Do they speak “Farsi,” do they speak “Persian,” do they speak “Iranian” perhaps, or do they speak something else?       

• The simple answer is that while other languages are spoken in Iran, the national language of the Iranians is Farsi. But this is the word that Iranians use, not English speakers, when naming their language.
• On the flip side, the translation of the word Farsi into English is “Persian,” the English equivalent/translation of “Farsi.”
• An interesting detail: Before Persia was invaded by Arabs, the word for “Persian” was parsi. But since the Arabs were unable to pronounce the “p” sound, the word parsi evolved to farsi—and has remained so to this day!

Bottom line: When speaking in their native language, most Iranians will say they speak Farsi. When speaking in English, however, people should say that Iranians speak “Persian.” To say, “People from Iran speak Farsi” (rather than “Persian”) can be compared to saying, “People from Spain speak español” (rather than “Spanish.”) That is why Rokhsareh referred to her language as “Persian” while communicating in English.

The above points are “fun facts” for language nerds like me! At the same time, perhaps the information will come in handy at some point. But for now, the terminology lesson is over!

​And if I may, allow me to remind you to keep an eye out for this month’s new videotaped interview, which I will send you via email. Thank you!

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