Talishi

Talishi refers to a group of related languages spoken in the Talysh Mountains region of Iran and Azerbaijan. These languages form a distinct branch of the Iranian language family, separate from larger groups like Persian or Kurdish. Speakers of Talishi languages are known as Talysh people. The exact number of speakers is debated, with estimates ranging from a few hundred thousand to over a million.

Historically, Talishi languages were more widespread, but have faced significant pressure from the dominant languages of Iran (Persian) and Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani). This has led to a decline in the number of fluent speakers, particularly among younger generations, and the endangerment of some dialects.

There are several distinct Talishi languages or dialects, often grouped into northern, central, and southern varieties. These varieties can differ significantly, sometimes to the point of mutual unintelligibility. The linguistic characteristics of Talishi include unique phonological and grammatical features that set them apart from other Iranian languages. Efforts are underway by linguists and community members to document and preserve these languages.