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Glite Dictionary
Pahlavi language

Pahlavi language

1 9.9
An old Iranian language used in Zoroastrian religious books from the 3rd to 10th centuries
  • noun
  • Specialized
: idioma pahlavi
  • The Pahlavi language is essential for the study of early Zoroastrian scriptures.

Examples

  • Scholars have translated many ancient texts from the Pahlavi language into modern Persian.

  • Few people today can read the Pahlavi language fluently.

  • The Pahlavi language is rich in Zoroastrian texts.

  • Many scholars study the Pahlavi languages for historical insights.

  • Few people today can read the Pahlavi language fluently.

  • Scholars have translated many ancient texts from the Pahlavi language into modern Persian.

  • The Pahlavi language is essential for the study of early Zoroastrian scriptures.

Synonyms

Pahlavi
vsPahlavi language
  • Specialized
1 9.9

An old form of Persian used in Zoroastrian religious books

is the full formal description rather than the short name
Zend
vsPahlavi language
1 9.9

An ancient Iranian language used in Zoroastrian religious books

focuses on later Zoroastrian literature from the 3rd to 10th centuries
Pehlevi language
vsPahlavi language
  • Literature
9.9

A language used in religious books of ancient Persia

is the same language but named Middle Persian in some sources
Pehlevi
vsPahlavi language
  • Literature
9.9

An old Iranian language used for Zoroastrian religious writing from the 3rd to the 10th centuries

refers to the same language but differs by spelling or variant name
Zend language
vsPahlavi language
9.9

An old Iranian language used in Zoroastrian religious texts

is centred on Middle Iranian writings from a later historical period

Surface Forms

Pahlavi language singular
Pahlavi languages plural

Morphology

Pahlavi + language

The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'Pahlavi' names a particular variety (Middle Persian used in Zoroastrian literature) and 'language' denotes a linguistic system, so the combined meaning 'the language called Pahlavi' is directly derivable from its parts. This follows common noun-noun naming patterns across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Pahlavi language likely comes from an old word for the people called 'Parthian'. Those people gave their name to the special writing used in Zoroastrian books, so Pahlavi language now means the old Iranian language used in those religious books.