The Avestan language is one of the oldest languages of civilization, a dead representative of the Iranian languages today. It is known to us mainly thanks to the preserved ancient monument of this writing under the beautiful name "Avesta" (which is translated from the Middle Persian language as "code"). Already in the 4th-6th century AD, the language was so archaic that it was used exclusively in the worship of the Zoroastrians. Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest world religions, based on the message of the prophet Zarathustra (or, in a different transcription, Zoroaster), who received it from God himself. At the heart of the teachings of this religion is the free choice of the good (deeds, words and thoughts) by a person. In this religious environment, the language is still used today. It is especially popular in countries such as India and Iran.
From the history of language
As mentioned above, in the 4th-6th centuries, the use of the Avestan language is gradually fading away. But when did he show up? Historical information tells us that in the III-IV centuriesit was created artificially for the purpose of recording the hymns of the already mentioned prophet Zoroaster. The reason for the decline in the use of the language lies in the adoption of Islam (7th century), when Avestan was replaced by Arabic, the language of Muslim worship and religious literature.
Being an East Iranian language by its structure and nature, Avestan has obvious connections with Sanskrit and Old Persian. Linguists-specialists can trace them through the preserved monuments of writing.
Features of the Avestan language
Among the characteristic features of this language, it is worth noting first of all the composition of its phonemes. So, there are 38 consonant sounds in the language, 16 vowels. At the same time, the letter in the language is produced, as in Arabic, from right to left, in a horizontal direction. Given that the language is dead, it is possible (theoretically) to learn it if desired, but rather difficult. Often, when learning, the similarity of a language with any of the existing ones, even better - with the one you speak yourself (there is also the opposite effect: for example, it is much easier to learn Romance languages, especially Italian, if you know Latin).
Does Avestan have anything in common with Russian?
However, of the similarities between the Avestan language and the Russian language, perhaps only alphabetic writing and the division of words into certain, universal for many languages in general, grammatical categories can be noted. It will not force you to adapt to a fundamentally new typelanguage thinking, but, alas, will not help at all in mastering the phonetic system
Grammar and vocabulary of Avestan
One of the main features of the grammar of the Avestan language, which unites it with other languages, is, as already mentioned, the division of words into grammatical categories. So, you can isolate verbs, adjectives, nouns, service parts of speech, numerals, and so on. Verbs, adjectives, and nouns also have specific conjugation and declension paradigms. Adverbs are invariable.
There is also a gender category (male, female and neuter); in addition to the plural and singular, there is also a dual number (characteristic of many archaic languages; for example, it took place in the Old Slavonic and Old Russian languages). Case endings are determined either by function words or by inflections (endings). Declension of nouns occurs in eight cases: Nominative, Vocative, Accusative, Instrumental, Dative, Delay, Genitive and Local.
Active and passive forms are distinguished in verbs; the category of verb tense turns out to be secondary in relation to the category of the verb form (perfect, aorist and Praesens). You can also distinguish verb moods, such as indicative, optative, injunctive, subjunctive and imperative (familiar to most as "imperative").
The vocabulary of the Avestan language is mainly of common Aryan origin. At the same time, this one had a significant impact on the languages of many peoples and cultures professing Zoroastrianism, or having some other relation to it. For example, such connections can be traced in the modern Persian language, especially in the vocabulary of the so-called high, poetic style: the words "paradise", "fire" and many others have their roots in the Avestan language.
