Reading: We are going to read parts from the Persian translation of Yervand Abrahamian’s famous book on the modern history of Iran. The assigned reading is from pages 123 to 131, and the PDF file of the book can be found here.
Listening: For today’s listening practice, we have two documentaries. The first, produced by Manoto TV, focuses on the reign and personality of Reza Shah Pahlavi (the original video on Facebook). The second is a short documentary by Iran International covering the 1953 Coup d’état and the overthrow of Mohammad Mossadegh’s government in Iran.
Subject of Conversation: The US and Iran relations during the last century: a hostile friendship or friendly hostility? (روابط ایران و آمریکا در صد سال گذشته: یک دوستی خصمانه یا دشمنی دوستانه؟)
In this conversation, students will examine the complex and often contradictory relationship between the United States and Iran over the past century. From early diplomatic ties and strategic alliances to periods of deep mistrust and confrontation, this session encourages students to reflect on the shifting dynamics of this relationship. Using key vocabulary from historical and political contexts, students will practice expressing nuanced opinions in Persian while analyzing the nature of what has been described as a “hostile friendship” or a “friendly hostility.”
Homework:
- Read the full material and translate the excerpts assigned by the instructor into English.
- Watch the second documentary about the 1953 Coup d’état. Write a short summary (150–200 words) in Persian, using vocabulary and expressions you’ve heard in the video.
- Make sure to prepare for tomorrow’s discussion.
Vocabulary (Reading):
| Persian Word | Transcription | English Translation |
| سحرگاه | sahargāh | morning twilight, early dawn |
| پادگان | pādegān | garrison, military base |
| مسلسل | mosalsal | machine gun |
| کودتا | kudetā | coup d’état |
| از آن بعدها | az ān ba‘dhā | from then on |
| سلسله مراتب | selsele-marāteb | hierarchy |
| خودآموخته | xodāmuxte | self-taught |
| گریختن | gorixtan | to flee, to escape |
| بی‌سواد | bisavād | illiterate |
| تیول | toyul | fief (historical) |
| حاصل‌خیز | hāselxiz | fertile |
| خویشاوند | xišāvand | relative |
| فوج | fouj | corps, regiment |
| ولایتی | velāyati | provincial |
| محاصره | mohāsere | siege |
| بریگاد قزاق | berigād-e qazāq | Cossack Brigade (historical) |
| شخصاً | šaxsan | personally |
| نام‌نویسی کردن | nāmnevisi kardan | to enlist, to register |
| شایعات (مفرد: شایعه) | šāye’āt (sing. šāye’e) | rumors |
| حاکی از چیزی بودن | hāki az čizi budan | to indicate, to suggest |
| فرمانفرما | farmānfarma | governor-general (historical) |
| مهتری کردن | mehtari kardan | to perform grooming duties, to be a horseman |
| آشوب | āšub | upheaval, riot |
| در حال ترقی | dar hāl-e taraqqi | rising, developing |
| راهرو | rāhrou | entryway, corridor |
| تزیین کردن | tazyin kardan | to decorate |
| کاشی | kāši | tile |
| مزین | mozayyan | decorated |
| بر سر زبان‌ها انداختن | bar sar-e zabānhā andāxtan | to popularize, to make widely talked about |
| کاخ | kāx | palace |
| چندزبانه | čandzabāne | multilingual |
| زیردست | zirdast | subordinate |
| غلبه کردن | γalabe kardan | to overcome, to prevail |
| مختصر | moxtasar | brief |
| اطمینان دادن | etminān dādan | to reassure |
| گماردن (= گماشتن) | gomārdan | to appoint, to put in charge |
| جایگزین کردن | jāygozin kardan | to replace, to substitute |
| تسهیل کردن | tashil kardan | to facilitate |
| تلقی کردن | talaqqi kardan | to interpret, to consider |
| مقتدر | moqtader | powerful, authoritative |
| بی‌درنگ | biderang | immediately, without delay |
| سرتیپ | sartip | brigadier general |
| ارتقا دادن | erteqā dādan | to promote, to elevate |
Vocabulary (First Documentary):
| Persian Word | Transcription | English Translation |
| بیگانه | bigāne | foreigner, outsider |
| راهزنی | rāhzani | banditry, highway robbery |
| شورش | šureš | rebellion, riot |
| مورد تجاوز قرار گرفتن | moured-e tajāvoz qarār gereftan | to be invaded |
| ویران شدن | virān šodan | to be destroyed |
| اشرار | ašrār | thugs, criminals |
| بساط گستردن | basāt gostardan | to begin, to lay out |
| قلدری | qoldori | thuggery, banditry |
| قلاع (مفرد: قلعه) | qolā‘ (sing. qal‘e) | fortresses |
| یغماگری | yaγmāgari | looting, plundering |
| ناموس | nāmus | honor |
| بیداد | bidād | injustice, cruelty |
| عمال | ‘ommāl | agents, enforcers |
| کرانه | karāne | shore |
| اعماق (مفرد: عمق) | a‘māq (sing. omq) | depths |
| خرم | xorram | fresh, blooming, cheerful |
| سر به فلک کشیده | sar be falak kešide | towering, sky-reaching |
| مولد و موطن | mouled o mouten | birthplace and homeland |
| رادمرد | rādmard | noble man, hero |
| دهکده | dehkade | village |
| آشیان | āšiyān | nest |
| سلحشور | salahšur | brave, valiant; skillful warrior |
| قدم به عرصه وجود گذاشتن | qadam be ‘arse-ye vojud gozāštan | to be born (lit. to step into existence) |
| سرگرد | sargard | major (military rank) |
| چشم از جهان پوشیدن | čašm az jahān pušidan | to pass away (lit. to close one’s eyes to the world) |
| حمایت کردن | hemāyat kardan | to support |
| ناچار شدن | nāčār šodan | to be forced, to have no choice |
| فرسنگ | farsang | farsang (unit of distance) |
| شیرخوار | širxār | nursing baby, infant |
| طفل | tefl | child, toddler |
| مشیت | mašiyyat | divine will, destiny |
| کالبد | kālbod | body, frame, carcass |
| دمیدن | damidan | to blow, to breathe |
| اقتضای سن | eqtezā-ye senn | accordance with age |
| نابسامانی | nābesāmāni | disorder, chaos |
| اماکن (مفرد: مکان) | amāken (sing. makān) | places |
| معتاد | mo‘tād | addict |
| فالگیر | fālgir | fortune teller |
| مداح | maddāh | eulogist, panegyrist |
| گدا | gedā | beggar |
| مرارت | marārat | hardship, suffering |
| زراعت کردن | zerā‘at kardan | to cultivate, to farm |