PRONUNCIATION.

A little attention to the diacritical points will enable the reader to readily pronounce the proper names in Persian literature.

These points, however, have been largely omitted in the foot-notes, the system of pronunciation being fully indicated in the body of the book.

A—a is pronounced as in rural.

Ā—ā ” ” tar, father, etc.

I—i ” ” fill.

Ī—ī ” ” police.

U—u ” ” full.

Ū—ū ” ” rude.

Ṛi—ṛi ” ” merrily.

Ṛī—ṛī ” ” marine.

Ṉ—ṉ ” ” like n in the French mon.

Ṇ—ṇ ” ” none (ṇuṇ).

Ḥ—ḥ is a distinct aspirate.

Kh—kh sounded like ch in church.

Kh—kh pronounced as in inkhorn.

Ć—ć ” ” as ch in church.

Ćh—ćh ” ” churchhill.

Ṭ—ṭ ” ” true

Ṭh—ṭh ” ” anthill.

Ḍ—ḍ ” ” drum.

Ḍh—ḍh ” ” red haired.

Ś—ś ” ” sure.

xvii

Fac Simile of a Portion of a Page of the Oldest Zend Manuscript. (See Page 117.

1PERSIAN LITERATURE.