The Dialect of Mashhad's Jewish Community:

The Dialect of Mashhad's Jewish Community: A Blend of Persian, Turkic, Russian, Hebrew, and Arabic Influences

Historical Context and Linguistic Origins

The dialect spoken by the Jewish community of Mashhad, Iran, seems to be relatively recent compared to those of other Jewish communities in the country. Research indicates that the formation and usage of the specific vocabulary and phrases characteristic of this dialect began in the mid-19th century, becoming prominent among families during that period.

While the core of this dialect is rooted in ancient Persian, it has also absorbed influences from various other languages, reflecting the historical and cultural interactions of the Mashhad Jewish community. These influences include Turkic, Russian, Hebrew (Bukharan), and Arabic.

Innovation and Adaptation

In addition to adopting words from these external languages, the Mashhad Jewish dialect features a significant number of original terms and expressions. These innovations, coined over time, often draw inspiration from Hebrew roots, similar to other Jewish dialects collectively known “La Torai” (non-Torah).

Preservation and Documentation

To preserve and promote understanding of this unique dialect, a comprehensive dictionary of Mashhad Jewish vocabulary, titled “Vajehay-e Yahudian-e Mashhad” (i.e. The Words of Mashhad's Jews), has been compiled and published. This makes the dialect accessible to those interested in exploring this linguistic heritage.

Examples of the dialect