Linguistic Insights from a Bilingual Letter: The Malati Dialect of Zoroastrian Dari in Yazd

Abstract This article presents a comprehensive analysis of a rare written example of Zoroastrian Dari (Behdini), a traditionally spoken language, featured in a bilingual letter composed in the Perso-Arabic script. The linguistic evidence indicates that the dialect of this letter is the Malati dialect of Zoroastrian Dari, primarily spoken in the Priests’ quarter of Yazd. The article provides a detailed examination of the phonological, morphological, and syntactic features. Furthermore, it explores the challenges of using the Perso-Arabic script to capture the phonetic nuances of Zoroastrian Dari and analyses the adaptations made by the writer to overcome these obstacles. Through a combined historical and linguistic approach, the article offers valuable insights into the language contact and script practices in Zoroastrian communities. This research contributes to the broader understanding of endangered languages and the complexities of multilingualism in written texts.