The Western Iranian languages are a branch of the Iranian languages, attested from the time of Old Persian (6th century BC) and Median.
The traditional Northwestern branch is a convention for non-Southwestern languages, rather than a genetic group. The languages are as follows:
Old IranianSouthwest: Old Persian†Northwest: Median†Middle IranianSouthwest: Middle Persian†Northwest: Parthian†Neo-IranianNorthwestern I (dialects of Kurds)Kurdish: Central Kurdish, Northern Kurdish, Southern Kurdish, LakiZaza–GoraniZaza (dialects: Kirmanjki, Dimli)Gorani (dialects: Hawrami, Bajelan) ? Shabak, SarliNorthwestern II Balochi: Balochi, ?KoroshiKhuri (Kavir)TaticTalyshTati/Azari: Old Azeri†, Harzandi, Karingani, Kho'ini, Khalkhal, Upper Taromi, Rudbari, Southern Tati, Eshtehardi, dialects N/NE of Qazvin ? (Talysh? Tati?): Gozarkhani, Kajali, Koresh-e Rostam, Maraghei, Razajerdi, ShahrudiTafresh (transitional): Ashtiani (Amora’i, Kahaki), Vafsi, Alviri-Vidari (Alviri, Vidari), ?Judeo-HamadaniCentral / Central Plateau (Kermanic)Northwestern: Khunsari, Mahallati, Vanishani, Judeo-GolpayganiSouthwestern: Gazi, Sedehi, Ardestani, Nohuji, Sajzi, Jarquya’i, Rudashti, Kafrudi, Kafruni, Judeo-EsfahaniNortheastern: Arani, Bidgoli, Delijani, Nashalji, Abuzaydabadi, Qohrudi, Badrudi, Kamu’i, Jowshaqani, Meyma’i, Abyana’i, Soi, Badi, Natanzi, Kasha’i, Tari, Tarqi, Judeo-KashaniSoutheastern: Zoroastrian Dari, Nayini, Zefra’i, Varzenei, Tudeshki, Keyjani, Abchuya’iNorthwestern IIISemnani: Semnani, Sangisari, Lasgerdi-Sorkhei (incl. Aftari)Caspian: Gilaki (incl. Taleqani), Mazandarani, Gorgani†, ?DeilamiSouthwestern (cf. dialects of Fars)Persian (dialects: Iranian Persian, Dari Persian (Madaglashti), Tajik Persian, Hazaragi Persian, Aimaq, Sistani, Pahlavani Persian†, Dzhidi Persian (Judeo-Persian), Judeo-Bukharic), Muslim/Christian Tat, Judeo-TatPersidKhuzestani/DezfuliLuri (dialects: Luri, Mamasani, Kohkiluyeh, Bakhtiari)SivandiNorthwestern FarsKuhmareyi (incl. Davani)Larestani–GulfLari (Larestani), Judeo-ShiraziGulf: Bashkardi, Kumzari, Bandari, MinabiAn Iranian Khalaj language has been claimed but does not exist; the Khalaj speak a Turkic language.
The dialects of Central Iran are a geographic rather than genetic grouping. They are spoken mostly in Markazi and Isfahan provinces. Many of them are giving way to Persian in the younger generations.
