How Do You Spell AVESTAN LANGUAGE?

Pronunciation: [ˈavɪstˌan lˈaŋɡwɪd͡ʒ] (IPA)

The Avestan language is an ancient Iranian language used for writing sacred texts, such as the Zoroastrian scripture. The spelling of "Avestan" follows the International Phonetic Alphabet system, where the "A" is pronounced as "ə" (the schwa sound), the "v" is pronounced as "v", the "e" is pronounced as "ɛ", the "s" is pronounced as "s", the "t" is pronounced as "t", the "a" is pronounced as "æ", and the "n" is pronounced as "n." Therefore, the correct phonetic transcription of Avestan is /əˈvɛstən/

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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AVESTAN LANGUAGE Meaning and Definition

  1. The Avestan language refers to an ancient language that was used in the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, known as the Avesta. This language is considered to be one of the oldest known Iranian languages and is associated with the ancient Iranian tribes that inhabited the region around present-day Iran and Afghanistan.

    The Avestan language originated in the 2nd millennium BCE and was primarily spoken in the areas where Zoroastrianism was prevalent. The texts written in Avestan were composed by the followers of Zoroaster, the prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism. These texts contain hymns, prayers, rituals, and philosophical discourses that form the basis of the religious and cultural traditions of ancient Iran.

    The Avestan language has a complex grammar and phonetic structure, featuring a distinct alphabet known as the Avestan script. This script consists of characters derived from the ancient Aramaic alphabet and is written from right to left. The grammar of Avestan involves intricate declensions, verb conjugations, and a vast vocabulary.

    Today, the Avestan language is no longer spoken as a vernacular language, but its importance lies in its role as the sacred language of Zoroastrianism. Scholars and linguists who study ancient Iranian languages or ancient religious texts often learn and decipher Avestan to better understand the religious and cultural heritage of ancient Iran.

Etymology of AVESTAN LANGUAGE

The word "Avestan" refers to the ancient language that is primarily known from the Avesta, the sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism. The etymology of the word "Avestan" can be traced back to the Avestan language itself.

The Avestan language is believed to have been spoken in ancient Iran, predominantly during the 2nd and 1st millennia BCE. The term "Avestan" is derived from the Avesta's own appellation of its language. In Avestan, the language is referred to as "Avesta", meaning "sacred texts" or "praise". This term is thought to have originated from the Indo-Iranian root word "av-" meaning "to praise" or "to invoke".