Which is the better literary language: Arabic, Persian or Urdu?

Question

I feel Urdu is the most evolved language as it combines the best of Arabic and Persian. Moreover, it's easier for Arabic/Persian speakers to understand Urdu than it is the other way around?

Mikehunt you're damn ignorant I don't care if you living in Pakistan - all three langauges are steeped in rich cultural history.

Ever heard of Firdausi, Rumi (Persian), Ghalib, Kabir (Urdu) or Beruini (Arabic)? You probably didn't - I think you can read the English translations which aren't capable of capturing the profound intellectual wisdom in these verses.

And think before you use your brains next time.

Answer 1

Of course there is no "best"; they all have their strengths.

For poetry, Persian (yes "Persian", Gabz. "Farsi" is just showing off. We don't call Spanish "Español" when we are talking about it in English, do we?) has an advantage in that the word order is quite free, and it is also free of encumberances like pronouns. It doesn't require gender agreement, which also makes it flexible.

On the other hand, the structured grammar of Urdu which does have strict gender and number agreement allows the word order to be even more free (because of grammatical clues). Plus in Urdu you can kinda shift into a Persian mode when you need to, and get the best of both worlds.

The phonology of Arabic is very elegant. To some people's ears though, it is not as nice as the Persian (or Urdu is "Persian mode").

You may be on to something with Urdu! Keep in mind that Punjabi can also do what Urdu can, and sounds even "softer" on the ears, IMHO

Answer 2

I am not really up on Urdu, but if you say it borrows heavily from the Arabic and Persian traditions then it probably is the best.

Of the other two I would choose Arabic for poetry and Persian (Farsi) for story telling as high Arabic is rather long winded!

Answer 3

I am Persian and I think Persian is a language that is very rich in literacy. Most of great poems and stories were created one of the poem is used to grace the entrance to the Hall of Nations of the UN building in New York with this call for breaking all barriers:
بنى آدم اعضاء يك پیکرند، که در آفرينش ز يك گوهرند

چو عضوى به درد آورد روزگار، دگر عضوها را نماند قرار

تو که از محنت دیگران بیغمی، نشاید که نامت نهند ادمی
"Of one Essence is the human race,
Thusly has Creation put the Base;
'
One Limb impacted is sufficient,
For all Others to feel the Mace.

To answer to people above that they think Persian Language is at danger they are wrong. Persian will never be at danger because we Iranians and other countries that use Persian wont allow it. You know why because Persian is the language of our culture, History and our ancestors. Arabs think that they can change our culture and our beliefs like few centuries ago but they never succeeded.

Answer 4

Persian.
Don't forget Urud is one of the Farsi dialects which is speaking in Pakistan, like some other Farsi dialects such as:
Pashtoo, Dari, etc.

Persian language is one of the rich languages around the world and learning this language is easier than Arabic and other Farsi dialects.
Also Persian language is using in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, some parts of Torkiministan, some parts of Iraq, etc.
In compare with arabic, Persian language is less usage around the world but this depends on your aim for learning a language.

Answer 5

I'm sorry, but your question really doesn't make much sense. Which one is "better"? Just because one language combines elements of two others doesn't make it more evolved, or better, in any sense. There just aren't any objective criteria by which to judge such a thing.

And, Muhammad Ishfaq A: I'm afraid you're talking rubbish. How can Urdu not "fulfil the basic requirements of a language by definition"!? Of course it does!

Do any of you people know anything at all about language and linguistics?

Answer 6

Urdu is my language and I've learnt Arabic by living in Middle East. I've also lot of information about Persian.
Urdu cannot fulfil the basic requirements of a language by definition, as it is just growing, not a fully matured language, like Arabic and Persian.
When Urdu has borrowed so many words from Persian and Arabic, but it failed to capture their use grammatically, and feelings culturally.
Persian is a rich and better literary language but now its future is in danger.
So I recommend Arabic as the answer of your question.

Answer 7

Its probably Persian due to its obvious influence on Urdu (script and loan words) as well as other languages in N. India. Arabic is quite unlike Persian, although it uses a scrpt based on Arabic (after the spread of Islam)

BTW Gabz - its Farsi :)

Answer 8

The Arabic is the language of the glorious Qur'an
Iran & Pakistan are Islamic countries and their
languages,and they are using Arabic alphabets for writing and very much affected by the Qur'an.they can read each other's text but
they don't understande ! just like the German,
British,French,and Spanish. but they share their religious belief which is Islam

Answer 9

Im pakistani i think urdu is better for poetry but arabic nasheeds sounds nice on the ear, but their is nothing better than quran.

Answer 10

i think you've touched a personal point with your question, it's like saying what's the best type of chochlate or, name, etc...

Cause everyone will choose according to their personal preference. with all do respect,that is!

when it comes to languages i don't think there should be a level of preference, because a language is a language and it represents a nation, culture, religion, etc...

For my point of view, however; i'd go for the eldest! ;)