The Western Iranic languages are a branch of the Iranic languages, attested from the time of Old Persian (6th century BC) and Median. Languages The traditional Northwestern branch is a convention for non-Southwestern languages, rather than a genetic group. The languages are as follows: Old Iranian period Southwest: Old Persian†, etc. Northwest: Median†, etc. Middle Iranian period Southwest: Middle Persian†, etc Northwest: Parthian†, etc. Modern period (Neo-Iranian) Northwestern Iranian Balochi (incl. Koroshi) Caspian Gilaki (incl. Rudbari, Taleqani) Mazandarani (incl. Tabari, Shahmirzadi) Gorgani† Semnani Semnani Sangisari Lasgerdi-Sorkhei (incl. Aftari) Kurdic (acc. Anonby) Kurdish Northern Kurdish (Kurmanji) Central Kurdish (Sorani) Southern Kurdish (incl. Laki and Kurdali) Zaza-Gorani Zazaki Gorani (incl. Hawrami, Sarli, Shabaki, Bajalani) Adharic Old Adhari† Tatic Talysh (north-central) Gozarkhani (Alamuti) North: Harzandi, Karingani (Kalasuri, Khoynarudi) Kho'ini South Alviri-Vidari (Alviri, Vidari) Ashtiani (Amora’i, Kahaki, Tafreshi), Vafsi Razajerdi, Eshtehardi, Takestani (Ramandi, Kharaqani) Central Khalkhalic: Kajali, Koresh-e Rostam (Karani), Shahrudi (incl. southern Talysh) Maraghei Upper Taromi, Kabatei Khuri (Kavir) Central Plateau Sivandi Judeo-Hamadani, Judeo-Borujerdi NW = Khunsari (Judeo-Khunsari, Judeo-Khomeini, Vanishani, Mahallati, Vanishani, Judeo-Golpaygani, etc.) NE = Kashanic: Soi (incl. Abuzaydabadi), Natanzi SW = Gazi (many dialects) Southeastern: Zoroastrian Dari (Zoroastrian Yazdi, Judeo-Kermani), Nayini Southwestern Iranian Bashkardi (Southern Bashkardi) Garmsiri (Northern Bashkardi, Bandari, Minabi/Minowi–Hormozi: Hormozgan) Kumzari Achomi (Larestani) Caucasian Tat (SW Tat): Tat, Judeo-Tat Persian (dialects: Iranian Persian & Judeo-Persian, Dari (incl. Madaglashti), Tajik & Judeo-Bukharic, Hazaragi, Aimaq, Sistani, Pahlavani Persian†) Persid Shushtari–Dezfuli Luri (incl. Bakhtiari) Kuhmareyi (incl. Davani) (see also Persid dialects of Khuzestan) Fars (numerous SW Fars dialects: Heshnizi, Gavbandi, Dashtini, Kangani, Jami, Bardesuni (Bardestani), Khenesiri, Bordekhuni, Dashtiyati (Dashti), Tangesiri (incl. Delvari), Khormuji, Khayizi, Ahrami, Bushehri, Bandar Rig (Fars of Bandar Rig), Genaveyi, Deylami (Liravi)†, Dashtesuni (Dashtestani), Judeo-Shirazi, etc.) There is also a recently described, and as yet unclassified, Batu'i language that is presumably Western Iranian. Extinct Deilami is sometimes classified in the Caspian branch. An Iranian Khalaj language has been claimed, but does not exist; the Khalaj speak a Turkic language. Many of the languages and dialects spoken in Markazi and Isfahan provinces are giving way to Persian in the younger generations. It is to note that the Caspian languages (incl. Adharic), the central dialects, and the Zaza-Gorani languages are likely descended from a later form of Median with varying amounts of Parthian substrata, whereas the Semnani languages were likely descended from Parthian. See also Eastern Iranian languages References Bibliography Pierre Lecoq. 1989. "Les dialectes caspiens et les dialectes du nord-ouest