Literature in Persian Language Pedagogy: Lyrical Language Learning

The Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies in collaboration with the Department of Middle Eastern Studies and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, University of Chicago jointly present "Lyrical Language Learning: A Multisensory Approach to Teaching Persian Language through Literature and Music" on Saturday, February 1, 2025, 12 pm (Eastern Time: Canada and US).

Abstract:
This talk investigates the pedagogical potential of integrating Persian literature and music in teaching Persian. It begins by examining the rationale behind incorporating music in language instruction. Studies highlight music’s effectiveness in facilitating foreign language learning, enhancing memorization, pronunciation, rhythm, cultural immersion, and emotional engagement. Persian, however, presents a unique case. Historically, Persian poetry and music have been intertwined, forming a cornerstone of Persian culture. Poet-musicians like Bārbad, the Sassanian chief minstrel-poet; Rūdakī; and Ḥāfiẓ exemplify the profound synergy between these art forms, which enriched Persian as a cultural and literary language. The presentation also considers the historical and cultural dimensions of Persian as a classical language. For centuries, Persian functioned as the lingua franca of the Persianate world, spanning Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Ottoman Empire. It served as the primary language of administration, literature, and intellectual exchange, transcending local languages and religious boundaries. Its prestigious status as the language of high culture, with an extensive literary tradition, underscores its significance in language instruction today. Finally, this talk highlights how the integration of music and poetry enhances language learning by fostering a deeper connection to the rhythm, structure, and expressive nuances of Persian. This multisensory approach not only aids in developing linguistic skills but also cultivates an appreciation for the artistic dimensions and cultural context that shape the language.

Bio:
Behzad Borhan is a course lecturer in Persian language at McGill University’s Institute of Islamic Studies. He earned his first Ph.D. in Persian Language and Literature from the University of Tehran in 2020, where he also served as a visiting professor in Persian literature. He has previously served as a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Religious Studies at Yale University (2017–2019) and is currently pursuing a second Ph.D. at McGill.  His interdisciplinary research focuses on Persian and Arabic mystical literature and Sufism, particularly emphasizing the concept of karāmat (miracles). His forthcoming book, “Among Our Shaikh’s Karāmāt,” explores this theme within the broader context of Persian mystical traditions. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Borhan has a long-lasting connection to Persian traditional music, having practiced both vocal and instrumental forms. He is also the author of the annotated edition of Rumi’s Mathnawi, Laṭāyif al-Ma‘nawī (2017), which was awarded the Best Student Book of the Year in Iran. Dr. Borhan’s research has been published in respected journals such as Iranian Studies, the British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, and Adab-e Fārsī.

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