Semnani
Geographic
distribution		Iran
Linguistic classificationIndo-European
Subdivisions
Glottologsemn1249  (Semnani–Biyabuneki)
komi1276  (Komisenian)

The Semnani languages or Komisenian languages are a group of Northwestern Iranian languages,[1] spoken in Semnan province (only 68,700 native speakers in 2019[2]) of Iran that share many linguistic features and structures with Iranian languages. These languages are also called "dialects" in some sources. The Semnani languages are descendants of the extinct Parthian whereas the Caspian languages are descended from the extinct Median.[3]

There are six Semnani languages named in the literature. Some may be dialects, but there is little published work on their relationships.[4]

Cognate sets

English Sorkhei Lasgerdi Sangsari Aftari Biyabunaki Kurdish
horse esbā esbe esbe espa esba hesp
girl dukkey dot döt dut dut dot
blood xün xün xwîn
large masīn masīn mas/yale masīn mazin
nose ven vinī xunī vinī vēnī vinī, bêvil
snow vār var varf var vefr, berf
serpent mohur mahar mār
moon mūng māye māng, mah
woman žiki žaki žekeyn džek džinakā dženī, žen

Notes

  1. ^ Ethnologue listing for Semnani languages
  2. ^ "Semnani | Ethnologue".
  3. ^ Lecoq, pg. 297
  4. ^ C.F. & F.M. Voegelin, Classification and Index of the World's Languages (1977) lists them as dialects of Persian (pg. 185).
    Lecoq, pg. 297 lists them as "dialects" as well.
    Ethnologue lists Semnani, Sorkhei, Lasgerdi, and Sangsari as languages with Biyabunaki as a possible dialect of Semnani and Aftari as a dialect of Sorkhei.
    Linguasphere lists them together in an outer language called Semnani+Sangisari [58-AAC-f] with Semnani and Sangisari listed as inner languages.
    Merritt Ruhlen, A Guide to the World's Languages, Volume 1: Classification (1991) lists Semnani and Sangisari as languages in the Semnani subgroup.
  5. ^ Lecoq, pg. 310.

Bibliography


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