The Sarawani dialect of Balochi and Persian influence on it

Abstract

The paper describes the Central Sarawani dialect, spoken in Iranian Balochistan. This dialect differs quite markedly from other Balochi dialects spoken in Iran and is more deeply influenced by Persian, e.g. by empolying the ezafe-construction instead of genitive case marking. The phonology, morphology and syntax of the dialect is described and exemplified from data representing 17 informants from Sarawan aged between 13 and 75. Differences in dialect between well educated persons and illiterate persons are also notices. A sample text with translation into English is appended.