Linguistic study of Divan Darwish Abbas Gazi and Ṣāfī ad-Dīn Isḥāq Ardabīli

Saeed Zohrevand[1]
Gazi dialect is one of the most important dialects which lefts from the Parthian or Pahlavanic  in the central regions of Iran and has always been the aim of research by many domestic and foreign scholars. Divan Darwish Abbas Gazi is the oldest and most important literal work in this language that can be an effective source for deeper knowledge in the linguistic studies of this dialect. In this research, the poems of Darvish Abbas Gazi and Fahlaviat of Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili have been studied in three levels: phonological, lexical and syntactic. Old Gazi and Azari languages are the remnants of modern Iranian languages in a linguistic subdivision that can be compared linguistically. The findings of this study show many similarities between the phonetic and lexical quality of the two poets; Like the evolution of the phoneme "ž" to "y" in both of them. However, there are differences in the phonetic and syntactic composition of the poems of Darvish Abbas and Sheikh Safi. The words left by the two thinkers are often in the form of poetry and have poetic logic (rhythm and rhyme). In addition, both poets in these poems are influenced by the structure of the Persian language. So that many words, combinations and grammatical patterns are derived from Persian
Keywords: Dialectology, Gazi dialect, Fahlaviat, Darwish Abbas Gazi, Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili
 
 
Abstract
Gazi dialect is one of the most important dialects which lefts from the Parthian or Pahlavanic in the central regions of Iran and has always been the aim of research by many domestic and foreign scholars. This dialect, which is part of the northwestern branch and among the central dialects of Iran, is a remnant of the modern Iranian languages, whose speakers speak this language in a small town located in the northwest of Isfahan. Barkhar region, which is frequently called "Balkhar", is a vast plain that is limited to the city of Isfahan from the south, Natanz and Mimeh from the north and northwest, Ardestan from the east, and Najaf Abad from the west. . Barkhar Plain, which is mentioned in old sources as a place between Isfahan, Qom, Kashan and Ray, has a semi-desert climate, hot and dry in summer; And it is cold and dry in winter. The population of this city is around 21,911 people and it is located in the north of Isfahan, is considered part of the central part of Shahinshahr and Meymeh according to the country's divisions, and historically it has always been a part of "Barkhar" region, and for this reason it is known as "Gaz Barkhar. The existence of written literature among the dialects and languages, however remote and with few speakers, is considered a precious treasure for linguistic and even anthropological researches, which are fortunately found in the Gazi language. In the past, central dialects were common throughout the Isfahan region and even the city of Isfahan. But apparently, since the Safavid era and with the expansion of the Persian language in the city and surrounding areas, these dialects gradually declined. The residents of this part of Iran, like many villages and small towns in Iran, have preserved their authenticity for centuries and have been spared from the sting of linguistic invasion. In the same way, the preservation of dialects and languages became effective in enriching Iranian literature and culture in such a way that in some of these dialects, precious literary works such as Divan emerged. One of its prominent examples is found in Gazi language. Diwan Darvish Abbas Gazi is the oldest and most important poetic work in this language, a type of Diwan poetry that dates back to the Qajar period. This divan is composed of various poetic forms, it contains more than three hundred ghazals, hundred odes, masnavis, quatrains and other poetic forms. This divan, which is named after its poet, was written by Darvish Abbas about 150 years ago. His poetry book is also called "Arshad Al-Ould". Most of these sonnets have mystical meanings and educational and moral nuances, but most of all romantic and mystical meanings are waved. Humor and jokes are the prominent features of Darvish Abbas Ghazi's poetry, which is the reason why his fellow speakers like his poetry. The importance of this forum is revealed when the researcher can learn many linguistic, historical, cultural, and anthropological points during it. Examining the language used in Divan Darvish Abbas Gazi shows that this dialect has undergone changes over the past hundred years. Among the significant phonetic changes, we can mention the removal of the final consonant of the present participle of the verb "to say", i.e. /vaz -/, and the removal of the abrasive chaknai from the beginning of some words. Another one of these changes is the pronunciation change of relative pronouns.
In this research, the poems of Darvish Abbas Gazi and Fahlaviat of Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili have been studied in three levels: phonological, lexical and syntactic. Old Gazi and Azari languages are the remnants of modern Iranian languages in a linguistic subdivision that can be compared linguistically. The findings of this study show many similarities between the phonetic and lexical quality of the two poets: Like the evolution of the phoneme "ž" to "y" in both. However, there are differences in the phonetic and syntactic composition of the poems of Darvish Abbas and Sheikh Safi. The words left by the two thinkers are often in the form of poetry and have poetic logic (rhythm and rhyme). In addition, both poets in these poems are influenced by the structure of the Persian language. So that many words, combinations and grammatical patterns are derived from Persian.