When did Sogdian language go extinct?

Anawrahta

Banned
Sogdian was one of the most prolific languages in asia with influence stretching from Khorasan to western china, until it was gradually supplanted by Tajik Persian after the islamic conquest. When did Sogdian become fully marginalized? Wikipedia says 1000 CE when it transitioned into Yaghnobi, but Khwarezmian survived until 1200 despite being even smaller and less important. That too khwarezmian survived until the mongol conquest whereas sogdian's fate is vague and likely wrong. I personally believe sogdian was the dominant language until the 1300 AD when it was supposedly fully supplanted by chagatai turkic and tajik persian, with remainder becoming yaghnobis.
When did Sogdian as know it actually become extinct? All sources I've come across seem to be quite wrong. What would be the latest possible time for sogdian to make a comeback? Any comments and suggestions would be the most helpful! :)

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Sogdian to my knowledge was alive as a spoken language well into the 14th century till Timur implemented extensive Iranicizing policies which were aimed at unifying the literary texts of Central Asia around the Islamic Farsi rather than what was seen as a Buddhist and heathen tongue such as Sogdian
 

Anawrahta

Banned
Sogdian to my knowledge was alive as a spoken language well into the 14th century till Timur implemented extensive Iranicizing policies which were aimed at unifying the literary texts of Central Asia around the Islamic Farsi rather than what was seen as a Buddhist and heathen tongue such as Sogdian

Thanks Shahrasayr,


I was wondering if you recommend some reading pertaining to this subject. I'm couldn't find anything on Sogdian language after islamic conquest.
 
I differ to @Shahrasayr on this topic. However, my opinion is that the Sogdian and other related Indo-European languages of the regions have several distinct periods, wherein decline occurred at various points and at different levels.

1. The Islamic Conquest of the Region in the early 8th century.
2. The death and fall of al-Afshin, leading to a direct Arab rule of the region.
3. Turkic incursions into the region after the decline of the Samanid Emirate.
4. The rise of the Qhara-Qhanid khanate.
5. Subsequent Kwarezmshahs and their Perso-Turkic preferences.
6. The Chagatayid and Mongol Hordes which swept across the region.
7. The Timurid Empire and Timur himself and the extinction of any pretense of Sogdianisms.
 
I'd argue that the Iranian intermezzo is what did most hard to the smaller Iranian languages by bringing about Persianisation to Bactria and Sogdia. I think it is well attested that at least in the urbanized parts of what is today northern Afghanistan Dari Persian replaced previous languages.
 
Thanks Shahrasayr,


I was wondering if you recommend some reading pertaining to this subject. I'm couldn't find anything on Sogdian language after islamic conquest.

I don't have any specifics in mind but there was this one book about the city of Urgench which is where I got this info from so I'll see if I can find a name.
 

Anawrahta

Banned
I differ to @Shahrasayr on this topic. However, my opinion is that the Sogdian and other related Indo-European languages of the regions have several distinct periods, wherein decline occurred at various points and at different levels.

1. The Islamic Conquest of the Region in the early 8th century.
2. The death and fall of al-Afshin, leading to a direct Arab rule of the region.
3. Turkic incursions into the region after the decline of the Samanid Emirate.
4. The rise of the Qhara-Qhanid khanate.
5. Subsequent Kwarezmshahs and their Perso-Turkic preferences.
6. The Chagatayid and Mongol Hordes which swept across the region.
7. The Timurid Empire and Timur himself and the extinction of any pretense of Sogdianisms.

Interesting, did not know al-afshin had such great consequences this far. I only thought he only led to the gradual decline of zoroastrianism.
Would the Ghurid Dynasty have acted as a temporary reprieve from constant decline?
Why didn't pashto, mazanderani, gilaki and Luri suffer from persianization despite being under heavy persianate influence and high illiteracy?
Thanks!
 
Interesting, did not know al-afshin had such great consequences this far. I only thought he only led to the gradual decline of zoroastrianism.
Would the Ghurid Dynasty have acted as a temporary reprieve from constant decline?
Why didn't pashto, mazanderani, gilaki and Luri suffer from persianization despite being under heavy persianate influence and high illiteracy?
Thanks!

The aforementioned regions were very rural and often ruled by heterodox entities. Mazandran and Gilan especially, were isolated from developments in the wider Islamic world. By the time Persian was en vogue within the Islamic world, Mazandran was totally separated from trends of this nature in the Islamic world.
 
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