MODERN PERSIAN CONVERSATION - GRAMMAR - WITH READING LESSONS, ENGLISH-PERSIAN VOCABULARY AND PERSIAN LETTERS

Oct 1, 2026

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Practical introduction to Modern Persian language learning through conversation-focused grammar, reading lessons, bilingual vocabulary, and Persian letters. The preface explains why antique Persian forms are difficult for travelers to understand in contemporary Persia, and frames the Gaspey-Otto-Sauer method as the basis for a modernized approach. It also describes revisions to stories, different scripts used in exercises, and guidance on using the key for challenging letters until reading proficiency is reached.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages414

Reading Time10 h 38 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Purpose and approach of the volume

Value of modern spoken Persian

Use of stories and revised readings

Scripts and reading guidance (Naskh, Nasta'liq)

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO31761017822503 Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2007 with funding fromMicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/modernpersianconO0tisduoft # MODERN PERSIANCONVERSATION-GRAMMAR WITH # READING LESSONS,ENGLISH-PERSIAN VOCABULARYAND PERSIAN LETTERS BY THE REV.W.ST.CLAIR-TISDALL,M.A. C.M.S.MISSIONABY AT ISFAHAN,PERSIA:AUTHOB OF GRAMMARSOF THE PANJABI AND GUJARATi LANGUAGES. LONDON. DAVID NUTT,57—59 Long Acre.DULAU &Co.,37 Soho Square,SAMPSON LOw,MARSTON &Co.,St.Dunstan's House,FetterLane,Fleet Street. NEW YORK. BBENTANO'S, F.W.CHRISTERN,E.STEIGEB &Co.,81 Union Square.254 Fifth Avenue.25 Park Place.BOSTON.C.A.KOEHLER &Co.,149A Tremont Street. HEIDELBERG.JULIUS GROOS.1902. | The method of Gaspey-Otto-Sauer is my own private property,
having been acquired by purchase from the authors.The text-books
made after this method are incessantly improved.All rights,espe-
cially the right of making new editions,and the right of translation
for all languages,are reserved.Imitations and fraudulent impres-
sions will be prosecuted according to law.I am thankful for com-
munications relating to these matters.
Heideberg.
Julls Groos. | | --- | Preface. Persian,the Italian of the East,has long beenrecognised as one of the most euphonious,expressiveand important of Oriental languages.Unfortunately,however,to most Englishmen who have spent anytime in India,Persian is known only in its antiqueform and pronunciation,which are still in largemeasure retained on the Afghan frontier and in otherparts of India.This prevents the student from beingintelligible to the natives of Persia,should he for anyreason find it desirable to visit that country.Thewriter's own experience enables him to speak withsome little authority on this subject.Having studiedand learnt to speak Persian in the Panjab,he found,on endeavouring to enter into conversation with Shir-azis in Bombay,that he was almost if not quiteunintelligible to them,since many of the words,phrases and idioms he had learnt from the pages ofSa'di and other classical Persian authors have becomeobsolete and have been superseded by others in themodern language as spoken in Persia itself.It wasas if a foreigner,having discovered some corner ofthe world in which English was still spoken by thelearned,just as it occurs in the Elizabethan writersand with the pronunciation of that distant day,hadlearnt the language from them and then tried to con-verse with the English people of to-day.His conver-sation would seem at once stilted and vulgar,and itwould amuse everyone with whom he came in contact. The Civil and Military authorities in Englandand India now,however,seem to have begun to graspthe fact that Indian Persian is somewhat like whatthe French of Stratford atte Bowe'was in olden times,and to feel the desirability of favouring the study ofthe language as actually spoken in Persia itself.In 11 order,possibly,to assist in the attainment of thisobject,the Publisher of this Series of ConversationGrammars(the'Gaspey-Otto-Sauer Method')has done methe honour to entrust me with the preparation of thepresent volume,which I trust will prove useful tostudents and will not be found unworthy of a placeamong the many excellent Handbooks on other lan-guages which have rendered the Series so well knownin many lands. The aim of this Volume is to provide the Studentwith a thoroughly practical and up-to-date Introductionto the study of the Modern Persian Language.There-fore everything obsolete has,whenever it could notbe profitably omitted,been admitted only in such amanner as to shew clearly the changes which haveoccurred in the language in process of time,and towarn the student against using too antiquated wordsand employing modes(')of expression which are notnow used,or are used in a different sense. A residence of more than seven years in Persiaitself (in addition to many years'previous study ofthe language)and c

FAQs

Why does the book emphasize modern Persian instead of antique pronunciation?

The preface notes that English learners previously encountered Persian mainly in antique forms, which can make them unintelligible to people in Persia. It argues that modern spoken Persian is closer to what is actually used in Iran.

What is the aim of the volume for learners?

It aims to provide a thoroughly practical, up-to-date introduction to Modern Persian. It includes obsolete material only when it helps show historical changes and warns learners against outdated words and expressions.

How are the reading lessons and stories organized, and what scripts are used?

The reading lessons draw partly from Sad Hikayat and partly from the Journal of the late Shah’s Third Visit to Europe. The first sixteen stories serve as grammar exercises in standard printing type, while later stories and extracts are presented in specific Persian scripts, with letters requiring careful use of the key.

Oct 1, 2026

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