Study and Analysis of Body-Related Idioms in the Talysh Language of the Anbaran Region [In Persian]

Oral literature is an essential means of transmitting cultural and moral messages to future generations. Among these rich linguistic traditions, the Talysh language stands out, divided into three main dialects: Northern Talysh (Republic of Azerbaijan), Central Talysh (between the Shafarud River in the south and the Navrud River in the north), and Southern Talysh (from Shafarud to the Sefidrud region, including the dialects of Khushabari, Masali, Masuleh, Siahmezgi, and other plains of Gilan). The Talysh language belongs to the northwestern branch of Iranian languages and is rich in ancient vocabulary and expressions, including Avestan, Old Persian, and Middle Persian words. The Talysh-speaking areas extend from the beginning of the Talysh mountain range and its northern slopes in southern Gilan and the western shore of the Sefidrud River, curving northward toward Masuleh, and continuing along the eastern slopes of these mountains (in western Gilan and near the Caspian Sea) to the Kura River and the Caucasus Mountains in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Anbaran region (locally called Amban) is one of the cities in Namin County, known nationwide as the “City of Kilim”, located in Ardabil Province. Idioms are an essential part of the literature of this language, through which various meanings are expressed indirectly by using body-part metaphors. This study examines and analyzes idiomatic expressions related to body parts in Anbaran Talysh, applying content analysis to study their structure, meaning, and usage and to investigate their role in expressing the feelings, beliefs, and social attitudes of Anbaran Talysh speakers. The findings indicate that body parts in these idioms serve not only descriptive functions but also convey cultural and identity-based meanings. For instance, the “eye” in Anbaran Talysh idioms may represent vigilance, accuracy, or even jealousy, while “hand” often signifies strength, dependence, help, and cooperation. The study shows that Anbaran Talysh, like many other languages, uses the human body as a symbolic resource for meaning-making. It also explores how these idioms function in everyday conversation and culture and how they affect interaction and emotional expression.