Judeo-Isfahani, Judeo-Hamedani, Judeo-Kashani, Judeo-Yazdi, and other Judeo-Median Languages of Iran

Jews in Iran historically spoke many languages - from Persian, Semitic, and Median language families. The languages of Jews in different cities and towns were so different that their speakers often could not understand each other. Now these longstanding Jewish languages are endangered, as most Jews shifted to standard Persian in Iran or to Modern Hebrew, English, and other languages after emigrating. This short film by Alan Niku is a historical and linguistic introduction to Jewish Median languages, such as Judeo-Isfahani (Esfahani) Judeo-Hamedani (Hamadani), Judeo-Kashani (Kashi), and Judeo-Yazdi. It explains how these languages developed and how they differ from Persian. Viewers learn about the urgent work that the Jewish Language Project, Wikitongues, and the Endangered Language Alliance are doing to interview elderly speakers before it’s too late. Learn more and donate to this important work at