Language Studies

Dialect dictionaries of Iran: Diversity and Scope

Document Type : Research original ,Regular Article

Authors

Atoosa Roastambeik Tafreshi 1
Mahdiyeh Shiraj 2

1 Assistant Professor, Linguistics Department, Institute of humanities and cultural studies

2 Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies

https://doi.org/10.30465/ls.2026.53543.2226
Abstract
Abstract
Lexicography is one of the oldest branches of linguistic studies, and dictionaries serve both descriptive and practical functions. This study examines the diversity and scope of dialect dictionaries published in Iran over the past century. To compile the dataset, the reports of the National Library of Iran were searched, and the resulting list was statistically analyzed with respect to publication date and linguistic variety. In total, 360 dialect dictionaries were identified. From 1300 to 1399 (Solar Hijri), the number of publications shows a general upward trend, with a marked rise in the 1380s, when the number of dictionaries tripled compared to the 1370s. The highest publication peaks occurred in 1394 and 1400. A noticeable decline between 1400 and the first half of 1402 appears to be linked to economic pressures on publishers, including increased costs of paper and books. Dictionaries of Kurdish varieties constitute the largest share (15%), followed by Lori (13%), Azari (8%), Mazandarani (6%), Tati (5%), Gilaki (5%), and varieties of Fars Province (5%). Other varieties each account for less than 5%. Given the size of Greater Khorasan and the dialect diversity in provinces such as Hormozgan, Markazi, Hamadan, and Arak, these regions hold considerable potential for further dialect documentation.
Keywords: dialect dictionaries, diversity, scope, time, language variety
Introduction
Lexicographic activity has a long-standing tradition both globally and in Iran. Early lexicographic practices can be traced back to cuneiform tablets from ancient Mesopotamia, while in the Iranian context, lexicography dates at least to Middle Persian works such as Farhang ī Ōīm-ēwak, believed to have been compiled around the third or fourth century AH. However, systematic and theoretically informed lexicography emerged primarily in the twentieth century, alongside the development of modern linguistics. During this period, dictionary types diversified, extending beyond monolingual and bilingual general dictionaries to include specialized dictionaries, learner dictionaries, electronic dictionaries, and, notably, dialect dictionaries.
Traditionally, dictionaries have been conceptualized as repositories of words arranged alphabetically and accompanied by definitions or translations. Later theoretical work in lexicography has emphasized that dictionary entries (headwords) may include not only single words but also multiword expressions, derivational forms, and idiomatic units. Moreover, modern lexicographic theory distinguishes between semasiological (meaning-oriented) and onomasiological (concept-oriented) approaches, with general-purpose monolingual dictionaries typically privileging the former. In contrast, dialect dictionaries often prioritize descriptive and documentary goals, aiming to capture linguistic forms and usages that are absent from the standard language.
 
Materials & Methods
The present research adopts a documentary (library-based) methodology. Data were collected through systematic searches of the website of the National Library of Iran, supplemented by broader online searches using general search engines. Keywords included Persian equivalents of dictionary, lexicon, glossary, and wordlist, as well as the names of specific Iranian languages and dialects. Based on these searches, a comprehensive list of dialect dictionaries published in Iran was compiled.
The resulting dataset consists of 360 dialect dictionaries. Each item was coded according to two independent variables: language/dialect and time of publication. Quantitative analyses were conducted to examine (a) the frequency of published dialect dictionaries across different decades and (b) the distribution of dictionaries across linguistic varieties. Statistical summaries and visualizations were generated using spreadsheet-based analytical tools.
 
Results & Discussion
The diachronic analysis reveals a general upward trend in the publication of dialect dictionaries from the early 1300s to the end of the 1390s (Solar Hijri calendar). A particularly sharp increase is observed in the 1380s, during which the number of published works more than tripled compared to the previous decade. The highest publication peaks occur in 1394 and subsequently in 1400. By contrast, a marked decline is evident from 1400 to mid-1402. This decrease is interpreted as a consequence of external economic factors, including rising publishing costs, inflation, and the increased price of paper, rather than a decline in scholarly interest.
From a linguistic perspective, the findings demonstrate an uneven distribution of dialect dictionaries across Iranian languages. Kurdish varieties account for approximately 15% of the total number of dictionaries, followed by Lori (13%), Azerbaijani (8%), Mazandarani (6%), and Tati and Gilaki (each 5%). Dialects spoken in Fars Province also constitute a notable portion of the dataset. In contrast, several regions with substantial internal dialect diversity—such as Greater Khorasan, Hormozgan, Markazi, and Hamadan—remain underrepresented. This imbalance points to significant gaps in the documentation of Iran’s linguistic diversity.
 
Conclusion
This study provides the first large-scale quantitative overview of dialect dictionaries in Iran based on bibliographic data from the National Library of Iran. The findings demonstrate that dialect lexicography has a long and productive history in Iran, with a clear increase in output over the past century. At the same time, the uneven linguistic and geographical distribution of these works highlights the need for more targeted documentation efforts. Future research should prioritize underrepresented regions and dialects and encourage sustained institutional support for dialect lexicography as a crucial component of linguistic and cultural heritage preservation.
 
Keywords
Dialect dictionaries of Iran; lexicography; linguistic diversity; language variety; diachronic distribution

Keywords

dialect dictionaries of Iran
diversity
scope
time
language variety

Subjects

 
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Language Studies
Volume 16, Issue 1
March 2025
Pages 257-304

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Supplementary File
09 RostamBeyk.pdf

  • Receive Date 24 October 2025
  • Revise Date 21 November 2025
  • Accept Date 03 December 2025

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