The Gorani language of Zarda, a village of West Iran

The Gorani language of Zarda, spoken by the inhabitants of the village of Zarda in western Iran's Kermānšāh province, is a distinct variety within the larger Gōrānī linguistic group. This study highlights Zardayāna as a significant yet understudied North-West Iranian language with historical prestige, serving as a literary language for the Ardalān rulers from the 14th to 19th centuries. Despite its cultural importance, Zardayāna lacks an estimated number of speakers, contrasting with broader Gōrānī speaker estimates of 200,000–300,000. The research contextualizes Zardayāna within the region's linguistic diversity, including Kurdish and Persian, while emphasizing its unique identity amid common mislabeling as 'Kurdī'. Additionally, it underscores the village's tragic history, notably the 1988 chemical weapons attack during the Iran-Iraq war. The study leverages scholarly literature to clarify nomenclature inconsistencies and situates Zarda within the rich cultural and natural heritage of western Iran, including proximity to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Bisotun.

Mahmoudveysi, P., & Bailey, D. (2013). The Gorani language of Zarda, a village of West Iran. https://doi.org/10.29091/9783752005356