Why Learning the Persian Alphabet Matters

Why Learning the Persian Alphabet Matters: A Journey into Language and Cultural Identity

When I was preparing my Baraye To e-handbook and video series, I faced a tough choice: Should I include Persian script transcription or keep things simple for learners focused on love expressions? It felt like choosing between offering a deeper, more enriching experience with Persian or prioritizing ease and accessibility.

Starting my public Persian teaching journey with Baraye To was meaningful, but my heart has always been drawn to the Persian alphabet. I believe understanding it connects us to our roots, ancestors, and the richness of Persian culture in a way that transcends mere language learning.

Why the Persian Alphabet Saved Iran’s Culture

The Persian alphabet is more than just a collection of letters; it’s a guardian of stories, poetry, and values passed down through generations. There were times when it faced threats—after the fall of the Qajar dynasty, modernization efforts aimed to replace the script, much like Atatürk did in Turkey. However, thanks to cultural advocates like Reza Shah and others, the Persian script survived.

This survival is crucial. The script carried our culture through centuries, safeguarding a treasure trove of manuscripts, poetry, and oral stories. Even when physical records were lost or destroyed, poetry and storytelling preserved our values, faith, and resilience. The Persian alphabet is a window into the heart of our heritage, allowing us to experience the soul of Persian life.

What the Persian Alphabet Brings to Language Learners

Learning the Persian script connects you to the language in a way that transcends memorizing phrases. Some argue it’s unnecessary for beginners, but I challenge that view. Your unique lived experiences, combined with Persian knowledge, create something magical and new.

Learning the script doesn’t mean becoming a native speaker—it means bringing your unique experiences to Persian and creating something new and meaningful.

Imagine reading Rumi, Hafez, or Saadi in their original form. The subtle expressions, rhythms, and cultural nuances are most vividly experienced through the written word. Without the script, you miss a layer of beauty that spoken language alone can’t convey.

Yes, learning the script has its challenges, especially with short vowels. But those challenges pale in comparison to the rewards. I’ve seen students who initially skipped the script only to find themselves limited as they advanced. They mastered grammar but couldn’t read poetry, look up words independently, or truly engage with Persian literature.

Why settle for limits when you can immerse yourself fully?

Decide for Yourself

Learning the Persian alphabet may seem daunting, but its benefits are profound. It’s not just about reading; it’s about connecting with a culture, a people, and a history that has endured for centuries. Through the script, you anchor yourself in a tradition of resilience and beauty.

Ask yourself: Do I want to experience Persian in its fullness? If the answer is yes, let the Persian alphabet guide you into a deeper understanding of this rich culture.

With Love,

Shirin

🦉🔍For curious fellows:

Defenders of the Persian Script

• Reza Shah Pahlavi: Resisted switching to Latin script, recognizing its role in preserving Iranian identity. Passed away in exile
• Ali Akbar Dehkhoda: First Iranian Scholar who authored the Most Extensive & Comprehensive Farsi Dictionary. He spent some years of his life in exile in Europe. 
• Sadeq Hedayat: Celebrated Persian culture through literature, supporting the script’s cultural importance. He is widely remembered as "a major symbol of Iranian nationalism.Left Iran overwhelmed by despair, to Paris, and ended his life.
• Mohammad Ali Foroughi: Valued Persian heritage and advocated for retaining the script as part of Iran’s cultural richness.

Advocates for Script Change

• Seyyed Hasan Taqizadeh: A Constitutional Revolution figure advocating for modernization, including a switch to a Latin-based script. I could not find any resurce proving that he had changed his mind before he passes away  in Tehran whiel he was 91 years old. 
• Mirza Malkom Khan:  Malkom Khan did not propose a complete switch to the Latin alphabet for Persian. Instead, he aimed to simplify the Persian script by creating a more streamlined version of the existing characters, without changing the letters themselves. He published his modified script in the Rasaleh Namuneh Khatt-e Adamiyat in 1303 AH.(+)
• Mirza Fatali Akhundov: Akhundzadeh was one of the advocates for replacing the Persian script with the Latin alphabet. He only visited Istanbul once and, unlike Malkom, did not have direct exposure to the West, was an ardent supporter of Western civilization. He spent over twenty years of his life advocating for the change of the Persian script, urging the adoption of a new alphabet.
• Ahmad Kasravi: A historian who sought to purify(!) Persian of Arabic influences, though he didn’t advocate a full script change.