You might say you speak German, French, or Swahili, but you never say you speak Deutsch, Français, or Kiswahili. This is the logic behind people saying they speak Persian—when saying it in English—as opposed to saying they speak Farsi. Why let logic get in the way of your "feels" though?! You call it what you want! Farsi or Persian, Parsi or Iranian, who cares?! Oh, we do, kinda — enough at least that we'd make a podcast episode about it.
To help us get into this much contested topic, we sought the help of a popular language enthusiast. We called upon Canada-based Iranian, Bahador Alast, to help us clear this one up... for now at least. Since 2013, Bahador has invited many international guests on his YouTube channel to talk with him about similarities between languages. Up until late 2021 these videos have been seen around 45m times.
So is it Farsi, or is it Persian? Listen to this episode to hear our take — then come for us in the comments.
Questions we also get answers to in this episodeFollow Bahador Alast:
https://www.instagram.com/BahadorAlast
https://www.youtube.com/c/BahadorAlast
Music credit: “Mahvash, Parivash”, Jalal Hemmati
Image credit: Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda, Iranian linguist and author of the Dehkhoda dictionary - edited with the tongue of Albert Einstein - Ask An Iranian, some rights reserved – 2021
Read more and find the links on ASKANIRANIAN.COM
Check the merchandise out on ASKANIRANIAN.COM/SHOP
How do I move to Iran?
Are Iranians funny?
What animal will lead the US?
Are Iranian girls players?
Am I also expected to die for an Iranian?
What the f_@k is with that music?
Do Iranians live in a different time?
What should I know before dating a Persian girl?
What does Tehran sound like at 2:22am?
What do Japanese people think of Iranian-made sushi?
How do I spot the Iranians in the room?
Where do I go for a first date in Iran?
Why won’t Iranians take my money?
Is there an underground dance music scene in Iran?
Do Iranians have daddy issues?
How do I make a successful podcast in Iran?
Who are the most famous Iranians?
Why is all Iranian bread flat?
Why do Iranians support Trump?
Why do Iranians think I am tired all of the time?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
If You Give A Dad A Podcast
A RICH COMIC LIFE PODCAST
The BOB & TOM Show Free Podcast
The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster