Updated: 8 July 2019
Farsi? Persian? Iranian? Iran? Persia? There are a lot of terms floating out there. At the end of the day, we pretty much know the country and culture that all of these terms refer to. Nevertheless, it can sometimes get confusing, and questions pop up about, for instance, the difference between Persian and Farsi, if any, or uses of one over the other. So here’s a brief guide to the terminology related to Iran.
Country: Iran or Persia?
In a word: Iran. In the western world, Iran was always known as “Persia.” It wasn’t until 1935 when Reza Shah Pahlavi asked that Persia be called by its endonym, Iran, in all official foreign correspondence. Then, of course, after the Revolution of 1979, it became “the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Today, Persia may not exist by name anymore, but it lives on in the form of historical sites. If you come to Iran, you’re guaranteed to see Persia. That’s probably one of the main reasons, if not the reason, you’re coming to Iran, isn’t it? (Just please, oh, please for the love of God, don’t call it “
People: Iranian or Persian?
“Iranian” and “Persian” are often used interchangeably. If you have friends from Iran, I’m sure some of them say they’re “Iranian” while others say they’re “Persian.” On My Persian Corner, you’ll notice I always use the term “Iranian.” Why? Because “Persian” relates to ethnicity while “Iranian” encompasses a nationality. You can be Iranian and not necessarily be Persian. You can be Iranian and be Mazandarani, Gilaki, Kurdish, Lur, Baloch, Azeri, Turkmen, Arab or another ethnicity. You can be Iranian and not speak Persian.
Some Iranians outside Iran prefer to say they are “Persian” for whatever reason, but I’m guessing it’s mostly to avoid certain “looks”, assumptions, and stereotypes that come with saying “Iranian”. Like Maz Jobrani says, “Persian” sounds so much “friendlier.” And no one gets that more than me. Growing up in Alabama, I got my fair share of ridiculous comments. There was even a lot of BS to deal with in other countries. I’ve certainly called myself “Persian” or said I was from the officially non-existing country of “Persia” in the past because I knew the person I was talking to would look at me with glazed eyes (perhaps while a thought bubble appeared above their head that said, “Did she pronounce “Iraq” with an “n” at the end?”). But I no longer do that. The way I see it, if anyone has a problem with Iran or Iranian, that’s their issue, not mine.
Language: Farsi or Persian?
Again, you’ll notice that on My Persian Corner, I always refer to the language as Persian. “Farsi” is the, well, Persian word for the language. “Persian” is the English word. Saying “I speak Farsi” is like saying “I speak español” or “I’m learning
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