Journal of Codicology and Manuscript Research (In persian: Pizhūhish/hā-yi nuskhah/shināsī va taṣḥīḥ-i mutūn)

Journal of Codicology and Manuscript Research (In persian: Pizhūhish/hā-yi nuskhah/shināsī va taṣḥīḥ-i mutūn)

The Role of the Khorasani Dialect in the Research and Correction of the Shahnameh Case Study: Correct Recording of “Gaav Purmayeh/Barmayeh”

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Morteza Omrani
Associate Professor. Payam Noor University. Tehran. Iran.
10.22034/crtc.2025.528935.1194
Abstract
In this article, we have tried to re-read the reading and spelling of “purmaye” in “purmaye /barmaye cow” - who motherhood Fereydun and raised him with her milk - and, according to the narration of “ purmaye cow myth” based on the Khorasan dialect, propose an ancient but common meaning. Most Shahnameh scholars have read this word with the spelling “barmaye” and have examined its Avestan and Pahlavi meanings based on this reading.
On the other hand, none of the commentators of the Shahnameh, nor even the general and specialized dictionaries of the Shahnameh, have referred to the meaning that we have given based on the dialectal variant. Among contemporary Shahnameh scholars, Professor Jalal Matini an Iranian scholar, literary critic has correctly chosen the transcription of “Purmaye “, but has not mentioned the meaning in question. In addition to the merit of Professor Matini's contribution, based on the plot of the “ Purmaye cow” narrative, in this article, according to the principle of “displacement of myths” and the principle of “originality of speech” by Ferdowsi and the evidence of manuscripts, we have chosen the recording of “Purmaye “ and, based on the dialectal variety of Khorasan (Razavi and Southern), we have proposed and examined “Purmaye” in
“ Purmaye cow myth” meaning (a cow with a large udder (figuratively full of milk).
Keywords
Shahnameh
Purmaye
Barmaye cow
Fereydun
Khorasan dialects

Subjects

عدم تعارض منافع

نویسندگانی که نام‌هایشان ذکر شده است تأیید می‌کنند که هیچ وابستگی یا مشارکتی با هیچ سازمان یا نهادی که منافع مالی (مانند حق‌الزحمه؛ کمک‌های آموزشی؛ شرکت در سخنرانی‌ها؛ عضویت، استخدام، مشاوره، مالکیت سهام یا سایر منافع مالی؛ و شهادت کارشناسی یا ترتیبات مجوز اختراعات) یا منافع غیرمالی (مانند روابط شخصی یا حرفه‌ای، وابستگی‌ها، دانش یا باورها) در موضوع یا مواد مورد بحث در این دست‌نوشته ندارند.

Conflict of Interest  

The named authors confirm that they have no affiliations or involvement with any organization or entity with financial interests (such as fees; educational grants; participation in lectures; membership, employment, consulting, stock ownership, or other financial interests; expert testimony or patent licensing arrangements) or non-financial interests (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge, or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Journal of Codicology and Manuscript Research (In persian: Pizhūhish/hā-yi nuskhah/shināsī va taṣḥīḥ-i mutūn)
Volume 5, Issue 1 - Serial Number 9
March 2026
Pages 244-275

  • Receive Date 07 June 2025
  • Revise Date 12 July 2025
  • Accept Date 13 July 2025
  • Publish Date 21 March 2026