(Failed) Reform of the Arabic-Persian Alphabet and Literary Considerations in Tâlebof’s Ketâb-e Ahmad and Masâleko’l-mohsenin

Abstract

Abstract Since the second half of the 19th century, proposals for modification of the Arabic-Persian alphabet have been the focus of debates among intellectuals and writers. Discussions have also extended to the more literary sphere, where the subject was addressed in works such as Tâlebof’s Ketâb-e Ahmad and Masâlekoʾl-mohsenin. The present article illustrates the first attempts to reform the script, by Âkhundzâde and Malkom Khân, then examines and translates passages on the subject from two significant works by Tâlebof.