Indian or Persian? Understanding the Difference in a Simple Way A concise guide to nationality, cultural heritage, language, and identity.

IRANIAN OR PERSIAN? UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE IN A SIMPLE WAY Iranian vs. Persian Iranian A national identity connected to Iran Iran is a multicultural and multiethnic country Persian An ethnic and cultural identity Connected to Persian heritage, culture, and traditions Often associated with the Persian language and its cultural history K E Y I D E A You can be Iranian, Persian, or both. Refers broadly to people from Iran PAGE 2 OF 4

Iranian or Persian? 3 / 4 Iran, Persia & Farsi Iran The modern country and its national identity. Persia A historical name used for the region and its civilizations, and still widely used in cultural and historical contexts. فارسی Persian / Farsi The Persian language. “Farsi” is the Persian word commonly used for the language in Iran. Persia Iran Iranian is broader than Persian. Iran includes people from many ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE IN A SIMPLE WAY

Why Identity Can Feel Complicated Quick Identity Guide Identity is personal. The words we choose can describe different parts of who we are. A simple guide to understanding the words — and the identity behind them. For people living in the Iranian diaspora, identity can include nationality, ancestry, language, culture, family history, and personal experience. Some people identify primarily as Iranian. Some prefer Persian. Many use both. Nationality Iranian Persian heritage or ethnicity Persian Language Persian (Farsi) Nationality + Persian heritage Iranian-Persian 4 / 4