When people ask for a translation “into Iranian”, “into Farsi” or “into Persian”, they almost always mean the same language. But if the document is meant for Afghanistan, the right choice may be a different one. In this article we look at the differences between Farsi, Persian and Dari, and at how to state them clearly when you ask for a quote.
Farsi and Persian: two names for one language
Persian is the English name of the language; Farsi (فارسی) is the name its speakers use in Iran. There is no difference between a “Farsi translation” and a “Persian translation”: they are two ways of saying the same thing. “Iranian”, on the other hand, is not the name of a language: Azeri, Kurdish, Arabic, Luri and other languages are also spoken in Iran, but the official language is Persian.
Dari: the Persian of Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, Persian is called Dari and is one of the country’s two official languages, together with Pashto. Iranian Persian and Dari share their grammar and most of their vocabulary, and speakers understand each other easily. There are, however, differences in vocabulary, pronunciation and usage: administrative terms, month names, everyday expressions and writing conventions can differ.
For a text aimed at Afghan readers, the best choice is therefore a translator who knows Dari as a native speaker: the text will read naturally and use the terms readers expect. In the same way, a document for Iran is best entrusted to an Iranian native speaker.
What about Tajik?
In Tajikistan a third variety is spoken, Tajik, which is written in the Cyrillic alphabet. For this reason, in translation practice it is treated as a separate language.
How to state it in your quote request
To receive the most suitable translation, simply tell us who will read the text:
- Iran (or Iranian communities abroad): Persian/Farsi;
- Afghanistan (or Afghan communities): Dari, or Pashto if the reader prefers it;
- a mixed audience: let’s discuss it together, depending on how the text will be used.
If your source document is in Persian or Dari and needs translating into English, Italian or German, it still helps to mention where it comes from: it helps the translator interpret names, dates and local terms correctly.
In short
Farsi and Persian are the same language; Dari is the Persian of Afghanistan. If you tell us the target country, your text will go to the right native linguist. Discover our Persian translation services and our page on Dari translation.
Have a document to translate? Send it with the quote form: a project manager confirms the price and delivery date, with no obligation.