Significance of Translation in Documents of Ancient Iranian Languages

Abstract

: Based on the existing documents remained from Iranian Languages, the present study aims at investigating the significance of translation through the three historical epochs of Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid dynasties in Ancient Persia. The results indicated that the geographical extension of each empire along with existence of variations in population, language and traditions as well as the diversity of economic, social and political relations had made the use of both written and oral translations inevitable for their citizens. Such documents and the historical analyses around them reveal that the majority of translations of the era were the Royal Orders, religious and scientific texts and deeds related to commerce and families to fulfill the requirements and goals of the era. Moreover, some measures taken byShapur I, Shapur II and Khosrow Ito develop translation and interpretation were so vast and influential to be named “the movements of translation”. Studying translation products made in the era also revealed that there existed several languages simultaneously but with different ranks. The results of the present study can be of use to researchers in fields such as history, history of science, archeology, historical linguistics, Iranian studies as well as Iranian Culture and Literature.