This popular introduction to Dari, one of the official languages of Afghanistan, is now accompanied by an audio CD! The book follows a step-by-step format. The first part teaches who to read, write, and pronounce the 32 letters of the Dari alphabet, Detailed explanations of grammar and syntax follow. Each of the 33 lessons include exercises and vocabulary words to reinforce the covered material. Expressions and phrases are also included, enabling users to communicate on a basic level with other Dari speakers.

The Pearl of Dari takes us into the heart of Afghan refugee life in the Islamic Republic of Iran through a rich ethnographic portrait of the circle of poets and intellectuals who make up the "Pearl of Dari" cultural organization. Dari is the name by which the Persian language is known in Afghanistan. Afghan immigrants in Iran, refugees from the Soviet war in Afghanistan, are marginalized and restricted to menial jobs and lower-income neighborhoods. Ambitious and creative refugee youth have taken to writing poetry to tell their story as a group and to improve their prospects for a better life. At the same time, they are altering the ancient tradition of Persian love poetry by promoting greater individualism in realms such as gender and marriage. Zuzanna Olszewska offers compelling insights into the social life of poetry in an urban, Middle Eastern setting largely unknown in the West.

Dari Grammar and Phrasebook is the result of many years of research and teaching. It has two parts. Part one (grammar) is a systematic presentation of Dari sound system (phonology, word formation (morphology) and sentence structure (syntax). Each chapter begins with an introduction. This is followed by analysis of the new concepts providing plenty of examples and illustrations. Next comes the chapter summary. Each chapter in part one ends with exercises. Part two (phrasebook) is about how to communicate with Afghans on a variety of situations (topics). This part first discusses language functions such as asking, ordering, requesting, apologizing, persuading, and so on. The second part is about topics or situations involving shopping, health, transportation, security, government and so on. The relevant vocabulary under each topic is listed into nouns, verbs and adjectives. The topics also include cross-cultural notes and proverbs.

Recommended for: Students of Dari/Farsi language, and Afghan Children living abroad who want to be able to read and write in Dari/Farsi. Dari, which is also referred to as Farsi by speakers of this language, is one of the two official languages of Afghanistan. It is a dialect of Persian widely spoken in Afghanistan. The majority of the people in Afghanistan can speak Dari/Farsi. The difference in the Farsi spoken in Afghanistan and Iran is somewhat like the differences in British and American English, so if one speaks Dari he/she will be able to understand and speak the Farsi in Iran and Tajiki, which is the official language of Tajikistan and a dialect of modern Persian, spoken in Tajikistan. This book is designed to teach Dari/Farsi from the beginner's level to the advanced level. It starts with very basic vocabulary and structures and ends with the advanced level. The first part of the book includes transliteration and does not require you to be able to read the Dari script; this part of the book will also teach you how to read and write in Dari/Farsi script, and the rest of the book will require you to know how to read and write in Dari/Farsi.a good source of essential vocabulary, grammar, and Conversation. The conversation is also transliterated which doesn't require you to read in Dari. The Conversation is searchable by topic therefore a good help for beginners to start speaking faster.

Dari Grammar and Phrasebook is the result of many years of research and teaching. It has two parts. Part one (grammar) is a systematic presentation of Dari sound system (phonology, word formation (morphology) and sentence structure (syntax). Each chapter begins with an introduction. This is followed by analysis of the new concepts providing plenty of examples and illustrations. Next comes the chapter summary. Each chapter in part one ends with exercises. Part two (phrasebook) is about how to communicate with Afghans on a variety of situations (topics). This part first discusses language functions such as asking, ordering, requesting, apologizing, persuading, and so on. The second part is about topics or situations involving shopping, health, transportation, security, government and so on. The relevant vocabulary under each topic is listed into nouns, verbs and adjectives. The topics also include cross-cultural notes and proverbs.

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An ethnographic study of poetry and its place among young Afghan refugees living in urban regions of Iran. The Pearl of Dari takes us into the heart of Afghan refugee life in the Islamic Republic of Iran through a rich ethnographic portrait of the circle of poets and intellectuals who make up the “Pearl of Dari” cultural organization. Dari is the name by which the Persian language is known in Afghanistan. Afghan immigrants in Iran, refugees from the Soviet war in Afghanistan, are marginalized and restricted to menial jobs and lower-income neighborhoods. Ambitious and creative refugee youth have taken to writing poetry to tell their story as a group and to improve their prospects for a better life. At the same time, they are altering the ancient tradition of Persian love poetry by promoting greater individualism in realms such as gender and marriage. Zuzanna Olszewska offers compelling insights into the social life of poetry in an urban, Middle Eastern setting largely unknown in the West. Praise for The Pearl of Dari “The Pearl of Dari offers the reader the precious pearl of a genuine reading and learning experience. Zuzanna Olszewska combines solid scholarship with uplifting sensitivity to create a lively narrative replete with joyful discoveries of genuine personhood, agency, and humanity in the midst of multiple marginalities, an account of growing up amid layer upon layer of tension, bravely defying overwhelming odds.” —Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak, University of Maryland “Olszewska’s virtuoso study explores how young progressive Afghan intellectuals use the writing and performance of poetry as a prestigious discourse, to sustain community and claim dignity in exile. Her work makes an essential new contribution in Persian literary studies, ethnolinguistics, and refugee cultural studies worldwide.” —Margaret A. Mills, Professor Emerita of Persian and Folklore, Ohio State University