Sogdianuss

Sogdianuss, also known as Sogdian, is an extinct Indo-Iranian language that was spoken in the ancient kingdom of Sogdia, which is now part of modern-day Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. It is one of the oldest known Indo-European languages, with its earliest inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Sogdianuss is notable for its unique script, which is an abugida system that combines elements of both the Aramaic and Brahmi scripts. This script was used to write not only Sogdianuss but also other languages such as Khotanese and Tocharian.

The language itself belongs to the Eastern Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian family, and it shares some similarities with other Iranian languages like Persian and Pashto. Sogdianuss has been reconstructed through various inscriptions, coins, and other artifacts found in the region. These texts provide valuable insights into the culture, history, and trade of the Sogdian kingdom, which was a significant player in the Silk Road trade network.

Despite its historical importance, Sogdianuss is no longer spoken today. The language's decline began with the Islamic conquests of the 8th century CE, which led to the adoption of Arabic and later Persian as the dominant languages in the region. However, the legacy of Sogdianuss lives on in the names of places, cultural artifacts, and the ongoing scholarly efforts to decipher and understand this ancient language.