Gilbert Lazard
Translated from the French by Shirley A. Lyon
The Persian
language has up to the present been described principally in its classical form. Persian
as it occurs today in an abundant literature is not identical with the classical language.
Colloquial language diverges from it appreciably more; it merits all the more attention
since not only is it the common language of the day-to-day relations of all classes of
society, but also because the recent literary rebirth has caused it to penetrate ever
further into the literature. This is why it is only legitimate to attempt a description of
the grammatical system of contemporary Persian as it is written and spoken, based on the
usage of Tehran. It is hoped that this grammar may be useful to those who teach or who
study Persian, as well as to linguists wishing to get detailed information on the language
of contemporary Iran.
The French version of this grammar was first published in 1957. In the meantime progress
has been made in the analysis of Persian grammar. The author has since carried out some
necessary changes in the original text.
Shirley A. Lyon's skillful translation of the original text into English renders this
volume useful for all scholars and students of the Persian language.
Specifications:
1992:xi+303 pp., text in English and Persian.
Persian Studies Series, No. 14
ISBN:0-939214-85-7 (cloth): $35.00
Now $15.00
ISBN:0-939214-11-3 (paper): $19.95 [Out of print]
The Persian
language has up to the present been described principally in its classical form. Persian
as it occurs today in an abundant literature is not identical with the classical language.
Colloquial language diverges from it appreciably more; it merits all the more attention
since not only is it the common language of the day-to-day relations of all classes of
society, but also because the recent literary rebirth has caused it to penetrate ever
further into the literature. This is why it is only legitimate to attempt a description of
the grammatical system of contemporary Persian as it is written and spoken, based on the
usage of Tehran. It is hoped that this grammar may be useful to those who teach or who
study Persian, as well as to linguists wishing to get detailed information on the language
of contemporary Iran.
