Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 19، number In Volume 8، November 2026 ، issue Number 126

Lexical and phrasal rarities of Nafsat al-Masdour and its impacts and impression from other sources

Zahra Akbarpour Baghaei , Zohreh Nooraeinia (Author in Charge), Maryam Youzbashi , Khadijeh Bahrami Rahnama

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Attention to the historical development of words in literary texts and works, as an essential part of Iran’s valuable cultural and national heritage, plays a significant role in understanding the evolution of the Persian language and the intertextual relationships among classical texts. Accordingly, the historical study of lexical items and expressions constitutes an essential area of linguistic and literary research. The present study aims to determine the position of Nafsat al-Masdour, one of the distinguished masterpieces of ornate Persian prose composed in the seventh century AH, within the historical development of classical Persian prose, while examining the extent of its indebtedness to earlier texts and its influence on subsequent works.

METHODOLOGY: This study adopts a historical-analytical approach based on the computerized corpus developed by the Lexicography Department of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature, complemented by an examination of selected sources. After providing a brief introduction to Nafsat al-Masdour and its author, the study extracts distinctive lexical items, expressions, compounds, and idiomatic constructions. Drawing on selected evidence from Nafsat al-Masdour and corresponding examples found in earlier and later texts, it investigates their historical development, the extent of textual influence and reception, and their position within the lexical tradition of Persian literature.

FINDINGS: The findings indicate that a considerable number of the lexical items, technical terms, and compound expressions employed in Nafsat al-Masdour were derived from texts that predate its author, Shihab al-Din Muhammad Kharandizi Zaydari Nasawi. Conversely, many of these linguistic features were subsequently adopted, repeated, and further developed by later authors. Moreover, Nasawi employed a number of rare or unique lexical items and expressions that, according to the sources examined in this study, have not been attested in any other extant Persian text.

CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that Nafsat al-Masdour constitutes a significant link in the transmission and continuity of Persian vocabulary and idiomatic expressions across successive literary periods and occupies a distinguished position in the historical development of Persian prose. While preserving the linguistic heritage of earlier authors, the work also played a substantial role in transmitting lexical and phraseological features to later texts. Consequently, Nafsat al-Masdour should be regarded as an important source for investigating the historical development of Persian vocabulary and phraseology.

Keyword
Nafsat al-Masdour , terms and expressions , comparative analysis , historical course.