Logo Medium

Ibn Sina Foundation

«Persophonie». Regionality, identity, linguistic contacts in the history of Asia

Bert G. Fragner

27.12.2018

Abstract

This is the most well-known work of one of the leading Iranologists of our time, Bert Fragner, — “Persophonie”, which gained wide recognition in the international academic community. This book was first published in 1999, and in the span of 15 years it has become one of the classical works on Iranology. The word “persophonie” is used to designate the area of prevalence of the Persian language, which was a lingua franca for the peoples who inhabited the lands extending from Iran to China and from the Caucasus to India. In the Middle Ages this region developed as a whole cultural entity.  Over the years these regions became parts of larger states formed by the Ghaznavid, Ghurid, Ilkhanid, Mughal, Timurid, Safavid, Qajar dynasties. This unity was based on the Persian language.

This translation is primarily meant for historians and experts in Iranian and Oriental studies. It partly closes the gap in the Russian literature, which exists due to the lack of translations of contemporary works on the medieval Muslim East, especially of those written in German. At the same time, the books contains many facts that have not been mentioned in the Russian books so far, and therefore remained unknown to Russian readers. This is why the book will be interesting not only for those who want to get acquainted with the contemporary Oriental studies, but also for those interested in the cultural heritage of Iranian peoples.

Imprint

Fragner, Bert G.  «Persophonie». Regionality, identity, linguistic contacts in the history of Asia = «Persophopnie». Regionalität, Identität und Sprachkontakt in der Geschichte Asiens / Bert G. Fragner; / Bert G. Fragner; [translated from German by E.N. Sagetdinov; edited by P.V. Basharin]. — М.: Marjani Foundation, 2018. — 136 p. — (Western Oriental studies).