Joy I. Edelman

Chief Researcher, Section of Iranian languages

PhD, Dr.habil., Professor

Employed at the Institute since 1958.

Born 29.12.1930 in Moscow.

Since her graduation from MSU (Faculty of Philology, Division of Oriental Studies, Department of Iranian Philology) in 1953 and until 1957, Edelman worked in Tajikistan at the Institute of Language and Literature of the Academy of Sciences of the Socialist Republic of Tajikistan (Dushanbe, formerly Stalinabad) as a Research Assistant, then as a Junior Researcher. She collected data in the field on the languages of Pamir without writing systems. She dealt with the grammar of the literary Tajik language, the history of Iranian languages. She published one article (on predicative complexes in the Tajik language) and took part in writing a grammar of the Tajik language for higher education institutions.

Since 01.08.1958, she has been working at the Institute of Linguistics of the USSR Academy of Sciences (currently the Russian Academy of Sciences), first as a Junior Researcher, then as a Senior Researcher (1971), a Leading Researcher (1987) and as a Chief Researcher since 1992. Edelman defended her PhD thesis "Jazguljamskij jazyk" [The Yazghulami Language] in 1964 and her Dr.habi. thesis "Problemy istoričeskoj fonologii iranskix jazykov" [Problems of Iranian historical phonology] in 1979. She is a Senior Researcher since 1977 and a Professor since 2007.

Edelman published 317 scientific works, 20 of which are monographs (6 in co-authorship), 13 large sections in collective monographs (4 in co-authorship), 1 brochure, as well as articles, conference proceedings and reviews. Her major works include:

  • Sravnitel’naja grammatika vostočnoiranskix jazykov [Comparative grammar of East Iranian languages] in three fascicles («Fonologija» [Phonology] — 1986, «Morfologija. Èlementy sintaksisa» [Morphology. Elements of syntax] — 1990, «Leksika» [Lexis] — 2009. A monograph;
  • Iranskie i slavjanskie jazyki: istoričeskie otnošenija [Iranian and Slavic languages: historical relations] (2002). A monograph;
  • Ètimologičeskij slovar’ iranskix jazykov [Etymological dictionary of the Iranian languages] (vol. 1-3 in co-authorship, vol. 4-6 individually, ongoing work);
  • series of articles on the linguistic areas of Eurasia, substrates, systems of numerals, Iranian languages with no writing systems, on languages that are adjacent to Iranian languages and interact with them (Dardic and Nuristani languages, the Burushaski language) etc.

Edelman wrote and edited sections for several volumes of the following encyclopaedias: «Jazyki mira» [Languages of the world], «Jazyki Rossijskoj federacii i sosednix gosudarstv» [Languages of the Russian Federation and the neighbouring countries], «Opyt istoriko-tipologičeskogo issledovanija iranskix jazykov» [Historical-typological studies of Iranian languages (2 Vol.)], «Osnovy iranskogo jazykoznanija» [Basics of Iranian linguistics] etc. (see Selected publications).

Edelman was the academic supervisor of five PhD theses and a scientific advisor to one doctoral student. She is a member of the Dissertation Council at the Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. She has been conducting seminars on the history of Iranian languages for postgraduates and young researchers for over 40 years.

Edelman was awarded by a Certificate of the Cultural Affairs Office of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Institute of Asian and African Studies of Moscow State University for her accomplishments in science and teaching (2010). She also has an Order of Friendship from the Republic of Tajikistan (2011). She was awarded a grade III medal from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation "For Flawless Work and Dedication" (Order №47 from 01.02.2021).

Based on the alphabet for the Yazghulami language developed by Joy Edelman, four educational books for children were issued in Tajikistan. The edition was made possible by the educational organisations "Nur" and "Nilufar" with international financial support (The Christensen Fund).

Science Index

Selected publications

A full list of publications (2020) is available here (in Russian).

  • Dardskie jazyki [Dardic languages], "Nauka". Vostochnaya Literatura. Moscow, 1965, 203 p.
  • Jazguljamskij jazyk [The Yazghulami language], "Nauka". Vostochnaya Literatura. Moscow, 1966, 219 p.
  • Osnovnye voprosy lingvističeskoj geografii (na materiale indoiranskix jazykov) [Main topics in the study of linguistic geography (based on Indo-Iranian languages)], "Nauka". Moscow, 1968, 112 p.
  • Jazyk burušaski [The Burushaski language], "Nauka". Vostochnaya Literatura. Moscow 1970, 115 p. In co-authorship with Georgy Klimov
  • Jazguljamsko-russkij slovar’ [Yazghulami-Russian dictionary], "Nauka". Vostochnaya Literatura. Moscow 1971, 354 p.
  • Giljanskij jazyk [The Gilaki language] (sections by Joy Edelman: Sučšestvitel’nye [Nouns], Prilagatel’nye [Adjectives], Narečija [Adverbs], Čislitel’nye [Numerals], Mestoimenija [Pronouns]: pp. 55-122), A monograph. Moscow: Nauka Vostochnaya Literatura, 1971. 319 p. Editor - Vera Rastorgueva. In co-authorship with Vera Rastorgueva, A. Kerimova, Liya Pirejko, A. Mamed-zade.
  • Jazyk kašmiri [The Kashmiri language] (sections by Joy Edelman: Introduction, Fonetika [Phonetics], Glagol [Verb], Kratkie svedenija o sintaksise [Brief information on syntax], Leksika [Lexis]), pp.9-48, 84-109, 119-131). Moscow: Nauka Vostochnaya Literatura, 1971. 140 p. In co-authorship with Boris Zakharyin.
  • The Dardic and Nuristani Languages, "Nauka". Vostochnaya Literatura. Moscow, 1983, 343 p.
  • Sravnitel’naja grammatika vostočnoiranskix jazykov. Fonologija [Comparative grammar of East Iranian languages. Phonology], "Nauka", Moscow. 1986, 232 p.
  • Sravnitel’naja grammatika vostočnoiranskix jazykov. Morfologija. Èlementy sintaksisa [Comparative grammar of East Iranian languages. Morphology. Elements of syntax]. "Nauka". Moscow 1990, 287 p.
  • Ètimologičeskij slovar’ iranskix jazykov v.1 [Etymological dictionary of the Iranian languages]. "Vostočnaja literatura", Moscow, 2000, 327 p. In co-authorship with Vera Rastorgueva.
  • Iranskie i slavjanskie jazyki. Istoričeskie otnošenija [Iranian and Slavic languages. Hictorical relations]. "Vostočnaja literatura", Moscow, 2002, 230 p.
  • Ètimologičeskij slovar’ iranskix jazykov v.2 [Etymological dictionary of the Iranian languages]."Vostočnaja literatura", Moscow, 2003, 503 p. In co-authorship with Vera Rastorgueva.
  • Ètimologičeskij slovar’ iranskix jazykov v.3 [Etymological dictionary of the Iranian languages]."Vostočnaja literatura", Moscow, 2007, 493 p. In co-authorship with Vera Rastorgueva.
  • Sravnitel’naja grammatika vostočnoiranskix jazykov. Leksika [Comparative grammar of East Iranian languages. Lexis]. "Vostočnaja literatura", Moscow, 2009, 280 p.
  • Ètimologičeskij slovar’ iranskix jazykov v.4 [Etymological dictionary of the Iranian languages]. "Vostočnaja literatura", Moscow, 2011, 415 p.
  • Ètimologičeskij slovar’ iranskix jazykov. V. 5 [Etymological dictionary of the Iranian languages]. Moscow, Nauka - Vostočnaja literatura, 2015. 566 p.
  • Jazyk burušaski [The Burushaski language]. 2nd edition. Moscow: LENAND, 2017. 112 p. In co-authorship with Georgy Klimov.
  • Iranskie i slavjanskie jazyki. Istoričeskie otnošenija [Iranian and Slavic languages. Historical relations]. 2nd enlarged edition. Moscow: LENAND, 2017. 232 p.
  • Ètimologičeskij slovar’ iranskix jazykov [Etymological dictionary of the Iranian languages] v.6. Moscow: Nauka - Vostočnaja literatura, 2020. 463 p.
  • O edinoj naučnoj transkripcii dlja iranskix jazykov [On the unified scientific transcription of Iranian languages]. Brochure. Moscow - Leningrad, 1963, 60 p.
  • Jazguljamskij jazyk [The Yazghulami language] // Jazyki narodov SSSR [The languages of USSR]. v.I. Indoevropejskie jazyki [Indo-European languages]. Moscow,1966, p.436-454.
  • Èvoljucija fonologičeskogo tipa [Evolution of the phonological type] // Opyt istoriko-tipologičeskogo issledovanija iranskix jazykov [Historical-typological studies of Iranian languages]."Nauka". V. I. Moscow, 1975, p. 19-88.
  • Kategorii vremeni i vida [Categories of tense and aspect] // Opyt istoriko-tipologičeskogo issledovanija iranskix jazykov [Historical-typological studies of Iranian languages]. "Nauka" V. II., Moscow, 1975.
  • Kategorija naklonenija [Category of mood] // Same work. Two parts - p. 337-450.
  • Dardskie jazyki [Dardic languages] // Jazyki Azii i Afriki [Languages of Asia and Africa] v. II. Moscow. 1978, p.254-315.
  • Sections Fonetika, Glagol, Služebnye slova, Sintaksis, Leksika [Phonetics. Verb. Functional words. Syntax. Lexis] in the fascicle "Vostočnoiranskie jazyki" [East Iranian languages] // Same work. p.198-206, 230-253.
  • Giljanskij, mazanderanskij (s dialektami Šamerzadi i Velatru) [Gilaki, Mazandrani (including the Shamerzadi and Velatru dialects] - Chapters: Sučšestvitel’nye, prilagatel’nye, Čislitel’nye, Mestoimenija, Narečija, Predlogi i poslelogi, Sojuzy, Slovoobrazovanie [Nouns. Adjectives. Numerals. Pronouns. Adverbs. Prepositions and postpositions]. P.500-520, 544-554. // Osnovy iranskogo jazykoznanija. Novoiranskie jazyki: Zapadnaja gruppa, prikaspijskie jazyki [Basics of Iranian linguistics. New Iranian languages: the Western group, Caspian languages]. "Nauka", Moscow, 1982. In co-authorship with Vera Rastorgueva.
  • Šugnano-rušanskaja jazykovaja gruppa [The Shughni-Rushani group] // Osnovy iranskogo jazykoznanija. Novoiranskie jazyki. Vostočnaja gruppa [Basics of Iranian linguistics. New Iranian languages: the Eastern group]. "Nauka". Moscow, 1987, p. 236-347.
  • Jazguljamskij jazyk [The Yazghulami language] // Osnovy iranskogo jazykoznanija. Novoiranskie jazyki. Vostočnaja gruppa [Basics of Iranian linguistics. New Iranian languages: the Eastern group]. "Nauka". Moscow, 1987, p. 348-407.
  • Afganskij jazyk (glavy: Čislitel’nye, Mestoimenija) [The Pashto language (Numerals, Pronouns) // Osnovy iranskogo jazykoznanija. Novoiranskie jazyki. Vostočnaja gruppa [Basics of Iranian linguistics. New Iranian languages: the Eastern group]. "Nauka". Moscow, 1987, p. 67-84, in co-authorship with Aleksandr Gruenberg.
  • Xorezmijskij jazyk [The Khwarezmian language] // Osnovy iranskogo jazykoznanija: Sredneiranskie i novoiranskie jazyki [Basics of Iranian linguistics: Middle and New Iranian languages]. Moscow, "Vostočnaja literatura" RAS, Moscow, 2008, p. 6-60.
  • The Pamir Languages // The Iranian Languages. Ed. by Gernot Windfuhr, Routledge . London, New York, 2009, p. 773-786. In co-authorship with Leila Dodykhudoeva.
  • Shughni // The Iranian Languages. Ed. by Gernot Windfuhr, Routledge . London, New York, 2009, p. 787-824. In co-authorship with Leila Dodykhudoeva.
  • Les verbes "être"et "avoir" dans les langues iraniennes // Mélanges linguistiques offerts à Émile Benveniste. Paris. 1975, pp. 151-158, 0,5.
  • Articulatory Phonetics and Reconstruction Verification (Indo-Iranian Data) // Proceedings XIth International Con-gress of Phonetic Sciences (Aug. 1987). Vol.2. Tallinn.1987, pp. 126-128.
  • Some problems of comparative lexicology of Iranian languages // Oriental studies in the 20th century: Achievements and prospects (Abstract of the papers of CIS scholars for the 35th ICANAS (Budapest, Jul.7-12,1997) Vol.1. Moscow 1997 p. 106-107, 1 p.
  • On the history of non-decimal systems and their elements in numerals of Aryan languages // Numeral Types and Changes Worldwide (Ed. J.Gvozdanović, Trends in Linguistic, Studies and Monographs 118). Berl.-N.Y., Mouton de Gruyter. p. 221-241, 1999.
  • Some taboo-words in Iranian languages of Central Asia // Language in Time and Space. A Festschrift for W.Winter on the Occasion of his 80th Birthday (Eds. Brigitte L.M.Bauer, Georges-Jean Pinault Mouton de Gruyter Berl.-New York 2003, p. 121-130., 15 pp.

Translations of Joy Edelman's works

  • The Gilaki Language (V.S.Rastorgueva, A.A.Kerimova, A.K.Mamedzade, L.A.Pireiko, D.I.Edel'man). English translation editing and expanded content by Ronald M. Lockwood. Uppsala Universitet, 2012, 445 pages (Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis. Studia Iranica Upsaliensia 19).

Edelman wrote articles and sections for several dictionaries and encyclopaedias:

  • Lingvističeskij ènciklopedičeskij slovar’ (LÈS) [Encyclopaedic linguistic dictionary]. Moscow, 1990;
  • Jazyki mira [Languages of the world]. Moscow, 1997, 1999, 2000;
  • Jazyki Rossijskoj federacii i sosednix gosudarstv. Ènciklopedija [Languages of the Russian Federation and the neighbouring countries. An encyclopaedia]. Moscow, Nauka. 1997, 2001, 2005;
  • The Dardic languages // Encyclopaedia Iranica. New York. 1994;
  • Bol’šaja sovetskaja ènciklopedija (BSÈ) [The great Soviet encyclopaedia]. Moscow, 1971;
  • Latvijskaja sov. ènciklopedija [Latvian Soviet encyclopaedia]. Riga, 1982, 1983, 1986 (in Latvian);
  • Ènciklopedija Pakistana [The Encyclopaedia of Pakistan], Moscow, 1998.
полевая лингвистика
иранские языки