Synonym

Words • Vocabulary • Spelling •
by Rezwan on 07/14 at 10:32 PM
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International Phonetic Association

?بینالمللی

Letters • Phonemes • Transliteration •
by Rezwan on 04/04 at 11:46 PM
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You may be wondering why this site chooses not to use the International Phonetic Association (IPA)'s notation to transliterate Persian text.

The Language Instinct:  How the Mind Creates Language

Language • Grammar • Academic Language • Basic Communication • Creativity •
by Rezwan on 03/27 at 08:17 AM
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Paradoxical Commandments - use of adverb “anyway”.

فرمانهای متناقض

Grammar • Parts of speech • Adverbs •
by Rezwan on 06/14 at 01:19 AM
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Here is a text that highlights one of my favorite Adverbs, “Anyway”.  We have translated it into “به هر حال” in Persian.  Here, then, is the translation of Kent Keith’s “Paradoxical Commandments” in Persian!  Translated with the help of Dr. Razani and Ms. Javadpour.

Using Forums in Persian

زبان فارسى در محل گردهمايى اين وب سايت

Computer Age • Help with this website •
by Rezwan on 12/21 at 04:46 PM
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Those of you who are comfortable typing Persian may be frustrated with the forums because the default theme ("Developer") is set from left to right.  Don’t panic!  All you need to do is switch from the default theme to the Persian right to left theme ("Developer-pe-rtl").  When you change the theme, you change the direction, but all the data remains the same.  And you can easily switch back.  Effectively, you can interface with the forum in two different modes.  Here’s how it works:

Setting up Your Computer for Persian

حاظر كردن كامپيوتر خود براى نوشتن فارسى

Computer Age • Help with this website •
by Rezwan on 12/21 at 12:13 AM
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This website is compatible with Persian script. 

1. you can write comments in Persian,
2. post on the Forums in Persian,
3. even search in Persian. 

How?  Here are some tips for viewing Persian script properly on your browser, setting up your computer for Persian input in PC and Mac, and typing in Persian. 

Mission, Goals, Principles, Motivation, Vision

رسالت، هدف، اصول، اشتياق، بينش

About •
by Rezwan on 12/20 at 04:25 PM
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We love language! This website is dedicated to the exploration of Persian and English and language in general. Being bilingual is cool. It all started with these double sided magnets which have really helped us in our enjoyment of language. For one thing, designing magnets required us to break down the language into parts and particles of speech. This is really handy for deconstructing language and gaining a quick and intuitive grasp of it. The magnets are part of a larger mission, with a sweeping vision.  Read on for the details of our secret agenda.

You have my word

قول دادن

Words • Vocabulary • Products •
by Rezwan on 12/20 at 12:06 PM
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In English, to make a promise is to “give someone your word” that you will do something.  With the Persian word magnets, you can give someone your word literally!

All this history, what is it good for?

اين همه تاريخ به چه درد مى خوره؟

Creativity • Mythology • Screenplays •
by Rezwan on 12/20 at 11:49 AM
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In which we ask, what is history good for? And come up with several useful suggestions. We're open to more, of course! Chip in : )

How to Beshkan

دستور بشكن

Basic Communication • Body Language •
by Rezwan on 12/20 at 01:04 AM
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In this instructional video, the mysteries of Beshkan will be revealed!  First, are you right handed or left handed?  The video shows a left-handed beshkan (actually, right handed, taken in the mirror.).  The frames below that show the right hand Beshkan.  Now, let’s go to video: 

Beshkan aka “Crazy Iranian Hand Jive”

بشكن

Basic Communication • Body Language •
by Rezwan on 12/20 at 12:07 AM
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What is Beshkan?

“Beshkan” is traditional Persian two handed finger snapping.  We don’t know how traditional it is, or when it originated, but we do have some live footage to show you that you, too, can make this freaky sound.  No double jointedness required.  Ordinary hands will suffice.

The Arrows of Arash

تيران آرش

Creativity • Mythology •
by Rezwan on 12/19 at 09:52 PM
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Arash(e) kamAngir is my current favorite mythological hero.  The guy was an archer.  In a Buddhist way, he became the arrow, and he is flying still.

Coining the Phrase “Simorq’anize”

Words • Creating New Words •
by Rezwan on 12/18 at 09:38 PM
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What the heck? ”Simorq-anize?" You can’t make up words like that! 

Let’s get Simorqanized!

سيمرغالنظم شويم

About • Words • Creating New Words • Creativity • Mythology •
by Rezwan on 12/18 at 08:28 PM
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Persian (a.k.a. Iranian) mythology is filled with fantastical bird stories. These stories are elaborate metaphors that have transcendental, universal implications and are relevant to our post-modern world. Here is a look at the mythic bird, Simorq.

Getting More Out of Persian

About • Creativity • Poetry •
by Rezwan on 12/18 at 04:57 PM
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I think it was Rumi (and correct me here!) who said:

گاو در بغداد آيد يك زمان
او رود از اين كران تا آن كران
از همه عيش و خوشيها و مزه
او نبيند جز دو پوست خربزه

Which means, of course:  A cow came to Baghdad for a time.  It went from one (riparian?) coast to the other.  From all the luxuries, delights and tastes to be had, it saw naught but two melon rinds.

Word Stitching

كلمه دوزى

Products •
by Rezwan on 12/18 at 05:10 AM
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Here are some examples of ways you can use the magnets.  A snapshot of some on the board showing a “crossword puzzle” effect.

Creativity

نو آورى، خلاقيت، آفرينندگى، ابتكار

Words • Creating New Words • Creativity •
by Rezwan on 12/17 at 10:56 PM
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In which we discuss the importance of creativity in language.  This includes taking a creative approach to language, and leveraging language to increase your own creativity, to help you make connections you may not otherwise. 

Four Saturday Soiree

چار شنبه سورى

Basic Communication • Body Language • Creativity • Mythology •
by Rezwan on 12/17 at 06:57 PM
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What is this man doing?

1. dodging a flame thrower;
2. dancing in Jerry Bruckheimer’s “Swan Lake”;
3. taking off with his rocket propelled back pack
4. sacrificing himself by throwing his body on the fire to put it out and save all those people behind him;
5. leaping over fire in an ancient pre-new years purification rite.

You’ve got the power a.k.a. extiAr dArid

اختيار داريد

Words • Vocabulary • Basic Communication • t'Arof • Creativity • Poetry •
by Rezwan on 12/17 at 04:09 PM
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My favorite Persian t’Arof, right up there with “step on my eyeballs” and “I am your sacrifice” is this one.  “extiAr dArid.” (Others write it as ekhtiaar, ekhtyar, ekhtyaar.  Sound it out: ecch, like yeccch, ti like tea, Ar, like are.  eccch-tea-are, d-are-eed.  extiAr dArid.  See our transliteration section).  What does it mean, and why is it the coolest t’Arof ever?

Persian a.k.a. Farsi

فارسى يا پرشن

About • Words • Vocabulary • Basic Communication • Vernacular •
by Rezwan on 12/17 at 01:39 PM
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The Raging Controversy

For some time now, the Persian Language Police in America have insisted that people refer to the Persian language as “Farsi” - even while they are speaking English. These same Language Police do not, however, insist on the reverse: that people refer to the English language as English even if they are speaking Persian. Instead, they let those Persian speakers call the English language “Ingilisi” to their heart’s content.

Alphabet Card

كارت الفبا

Letters • Alphabet • Products •
by Rezwan on 12/16 at 01:39 AM
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Everything you need to know to start bonding with the Persian alphabet!  The alphabet cards are included in the magnet kits, but if you want extras to hand out to people and spread the Joy of Persian Letters, these are the best.  It’s amazing how much information we crammed onto a compact 8” x 6” card.  The complex mysteries of the beautiful Persian alphabet clarified just for you!

Donate

اهدا كنيد

About •
by Rezwan on 12/16 at 01:02 AM
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As we approach the end of the milAdi ( ميلادى ) / fiscal year, it’s time to ask for your generous donation to ajaban zabAn.  We know you get many requests for charitable contributions, so we want to take a moment to tell you just how important your gift is to sustaining ajaban zabAn’s work on behalf of the Persian language in foreign lands.  Your donations aren’t tax deductible, but they certainly are welcome!  Donate now: 
{embed=buttons/donate}

Your contributions will help us to:

Getting Updates with Atom or RSS

Computer Age • Help with this website •
by Rezwan on 12/15 at 03:53 PM
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Tired of visiting web sites to find nothing new?  Want to receive regular updates of all new stories, articles and reviews straight to your desktop? If so then RSS or Atom are for you.  But what are they?  And how do you use them?

Alphabet

الفبا

Letters • Alphabet •
by Rezwan on 12/15 at 02:56 PM
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Are you familiar with the Persian alphabet?  No?  Then you will be happy to know that ajabanzabAn.com has a handy alphabet guide packed with tips to give you a quick overview of the many features and quirks of the Persian alphabet.  Aside from that, this website has a few more indepth articles on the alphabet that you can read through.  Let’s start with the alphabet as it is usually shown.  A list of the letters in detatched form:

Buddha, Benz and Being: a Meditation on Vowels

بت، بنز و بودن: تفكر سر مصوّت

Letters • Vowels •
by Rezwan on 12/15 at 01:51 AM
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Here is an excellent meditation to help you get in touch with Persian vowel sounds and their appearance in writing.  Just say this mantra over and over in Persian:  Wind was. The willow was.  The Buddha on the Benz was.  (Yeah, Persian word order is a bit different).  How to say it in Persian?  Let’s explore:

Vowels

مصوّت

Letters • Vowels •
by Rezwan on 12/15 at 01:12 AM
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Good news and bad news about Persian vowels, zir-o-zebar, and a Buddha with a benz.  All in one convenient post!

Transliteration Simplified

حرف نويسى، حرف نگارى - ساده

Letters • Transliteration •
by Rezwan on 12/14 at 06:21 PM
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"Transliteration" refers to writing the words of one language in the alphabet of another. This website uses a simplified form of transliteration.

Our method is simple, easy, practical, and works great for text messaging.

If you are looking for the approved International Phonetic Association transliteration methodology, we don't use it. Here's why.

This post assumes you are already familiar with Persian words and sounds and is just an overview of our transliteration system:

Sohrab Lives

زنده باد سهراب

Creativity • Mythology •
by Rezwan on 12/14 at 02:29 PM
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The Persepolis picture I use on the Standard Persian-English magnet kit has inspired me.

It’s a picture of my nephew taken just a couple years ago at Persepolis.  At first I thought it’s nice because it shows the glorious past, the two guards at Persepolis, and then Sepehr - a boy mimicking the guards, taking on their pose in front of them.  This shows a historical continuity, shows that we are carrying on tradition.

But that’s not it.  That’s not what specifically resonates with me about the picture.  Carrying on tradition is fun up to a point, but what really makes my heart beat, what’s more thrilling to me is....

Wake up Iran, there are new kids in town.

Word Order - SOV

ترتيب واژه ها

Grammar • Word Order •
by Rezwan on 12/13 at 08:06 PM
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Persian is read from right to left, English from left to right. If an English speaker flips over a sentence made from Persian magnets and reads it from left to right they will be reading the sentence backwards. Not to panic! They will still get the idea of what the sentence is about.

In fact, reading the sentence correctly from right to left may be more confusing to them than reading it backwards. This is because Persian word order is different from English in two key ways.

Like Tiny Flashcards

by Rezwan on 12/13 at 02:01 PM
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Read Persian from right to left

زبان فارسى از راست به چپ خوانده مى شود

Letters • Script • Words • Spelling • Grammar • Word Order • Computer Age • Type •
by Rezwan on 12/12 at 09:41 PM
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To help you visualize, the line below is “Read Persian from Right to Left” written from right to left:

Portmanteau words

كلمه هاى ادغام شده

Words • Creating New Words •
by Rezwan on 12/12 at 06:03 PM
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Words that are made by merging two other words, for example, “motel” is “motor” + “hotel”. 

Assimilation Anxiety

نگرانى يا دلواپسى از جذب شدن يا همگونى ساخته شدن

About • Creativity • Mythology •
by Rezwan on 12/12 at 05:57 PM
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This site was founded by an Iranian+American who suffers, as many Iranian+Americans do, from Assimilation Anxiety.  Luckily, the cure is easy!

Semi-Cursive Script

خط فارسى

Letters • Script •
by Rezwan on 12/11 at 10:07 PM
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You may notice a discrepancy between the letters in the alphabet and the letters in Persian words. That’s because the letters in the alphabet are always shown in detached form, while the letters within words are in different forms depending on where they are in the word.  This is what happens when you have a semi-cursive script.

Dictionary

فرهنگ، واژه نامه

Words • Roots • Morphemes • Pronunciation • Vocabulary •
by Rezwan on 12/11 at 06:58 PM
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If you want to learn a language, one of your most important tools is the dictionary. And don’t just stop at one. Each publication is different.

Many people don’t know much about how to use a dictionary, beyond looking up a word and finding what that particular dictionary says it means. But “A good dictionary is a record of a group of educated people’s adventures in tracing words’ histories and uses.”

The ajabanzabAn online dictionary is under construction.  We will be using “wiki” technology so that we can all help to build it.  While we’re working on that, here are some tips on other dictionaries out there for your use.

Welcome

خوش آمديد

About • Products •
by Rezwan on 12/11 at 05:19 PM
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A seed written, grows when read.

Welcome to ajaban zabAn, home of the Persian-English word magnets! Language withers in isolation, but grows with use in a community.  Therefore, ajaban zabAn is building a bilingual bridge to connect English & Persian language speakers in a creative, playful community where we can all be self-expressed in whatever language we please! 

Our tools are: The Persian-English Word Magnets; This Website (especially our forums); and YOU! 

Magnet Store Catalog

فهرست و فروشگاه كلمه بازى مغناطيسى

Products •
by Rezwan on 12/05 at 12:35 AM
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What’s on your refrigerator?  Persian (a.k.a. Farsi) word magnets with English translation on the back!  Bond with the Persian language like never before! The perfect unique Persian gift for Adults, College Students, and Kids.  That’s right!  Adults and college students too! This means YOU!
Check it out »

Someone gave us a gift

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:28 PM
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Surreal

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:27 PM
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Great!

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:27 PM
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Awesome

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:26 PM
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Fun

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:26 PM
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Unique gift

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:25 PM
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Solve Crimes

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:24 PM
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Could not stop playing with them!

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:23 PM
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Brilliant

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:17 PM
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Our language alive

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:14 PM
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Terrific

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:12 PM
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Gifts People Love

by Rezwan on 12/04 at 09:11 PM
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Standard

متداول

Words • Vocabulary • Games • Products •
by Rezwan on 12/04 at 12:16 AM
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The Standard (a.k.a. “motedAvel") magnet kit has over 600 Persian words on magnetic tiles with English on the back!  Great for all ages!  The perfect gift for everyone on your list! 
{embed=buttons/buystandard}

Courtship

خواستگارى

Words • Vocabulary • Games • Products •
by Rezwan on 12/03 at 07:58 PM
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The Courtship kit (a.k.a. xAstegAri) (a.k.a. خواستگارى) features over 600 Persian words of love, passion and insanity including particles, suffixes and prefixes for grammatical accuracy. Millions of possible romantic and inappropriate sentence combinations. The words are on magnetic word tiles. English transliteration and translation on reverse side. Both sides stick to steel surfaces. Alphabet card and instruction sheet included. For creativity, education and fun!  Great for all ages!  The perfect gift for everyone on your list! 
{embed=buttons/buycourtship}

Pleasantries

تعارف

Basic Communication • t'Arof •
by Rezwan on 12/03 at 05:22 PM
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ُThe Pleasantries (a.k.a. “t’Arof") magnet kit features over 600 Persian words of desperate supplication and inverted one-upmanship. Millions of possible self-sacrificing sentence combinations. The words are on magnetic word tiles. Where possible, English transliteration and translation on reverse side. Both sides stick to steel surfaces. Alphabet card and instruction sheet included.  For creativity, education and fun!  Great for all ages!  The perfect gift for everyone on your list! 
{embed=buttons/buypleasantries}

Magnetized Dry Erase Boards - Magic Wall Panel

تخته هاى مغناطيسى بزرگ

Products •
by Rezwan on 12/03 at 12:38 AM
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Is your refrigerator stainless steel or wood paneled? Magnets can’t stick to that! But don’t panic. You can still enjoy playing with magnets when you get fabulous Magic Wall Panels. {embed=buttons/buymagicwall}

Magnetized Board - Small

تخته كوچك

Products •
by Rezwan on 12/02 at 02:49 PM
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Play with the magnets anywhere on your own small, magnetized board!  8.5” x 11” only $4.95 While supplies last.  Ideal for portability - just pop it in a folder and take it anywhere. One side is white and one is black. BUY NOW!
{embed=buttons/buyboard}

Sentences with Pleasantries Magnets

Grammar • Sentence Basics • Basic Communication • t'Arof • Products •
by Rezwan on 12/01 at 02:00 AM
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This sentence means: “Step on my eyeballs” and is a classic pleasantry. - read it right to left, of course, like this: qadam ru toxm{embed=bits/ezafe-e} cheshm. 
Check out more sentences and see how things get lost (and found) in translation.
Also, don’t forget to join the forums and contribute your own sentences to the Pleasantries-تعارف cyber-fridge!

Sentences with Courtship Magnets

Grammar • Sentence Basics • Basic Communication • Creativity • Creative Writing Exercises • Products •
by Rezwan on 11/29 at 03:28 PM
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This sentence means: “The picture of the beloved laughs at me.” - read it right to left, of course, like this: aks{embed=bits/ezafe-e} ma’shuq be man mixandeh. 
Check out more sentences and see how things get lost (and found) in translation.
Also, don’t forget to join the forums and contribute your own sentences to the Courtship cyber-fridge!

Sentences with Standard Magnets

Grammar • Sentence Basics • Creativity • Creative Writing Exercises • Products •
by Rezwan on 11/15 at 07:15 PM
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This sentence means: “Long live the Persian language!” - read it right to left, of course, like this: zende bAd zabAn{embed=bits/ezafe-e} fArsi.
Check out more sentences and see how things get lost (and found) in translation.
Also, don’t forget to join the forums and contribute your own sentences to the Standard cyber-fridge!

Irony

طنز

Words • Vocabulary •
by Rezwan on 11/07 at 01:11 AM
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What is irony?  Alanis had no clue.

How can the magnets promote bonding with family members?

Magnets •
by Rezwan on 10/29 at 07:00 PM
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How do the magnets help with Whole Word Recognition?

Magnets •
by Rezwan on 10/29 at 06:59 PM
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What is subconscious word recognition?

Language •
by Rezwan on 10/29 at 06:58 PM
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Why is it important to surround yourself with Persian words?

Language •
by Rezwan on 10/29 at 06:56 PM
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How will Magnets help the Persian language to thrive in America?

Magnets •
by Rezwan on 10/29 at 06:53 PM
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How do the magnets inspire songwriting?

Magnets •
by Rezwan on 10/29 at 06:49 PM
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How do the magnets boost creativity?

Magnets •
by Rezwan on 10/29 at 06:00 PM
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What are the rules of Magnetic Word Play?

Magnets •
by Rezwan on 10/29 at 05:56 PM
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Why not complete lines of famous poetry?

Magnets •
by Rezwan on 10/29 at 05:55 PM
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Why not alphabet?

by Rezwan on 10/29 at 05:52 PM
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Why words?

by Rezwan on 10/29 at 02:39 PM
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What is the history of word magnets?

by Rezwan on 10/29 at 02:26 PM
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What is a word magnet?

by Rezwan on 10/29 at 02:21 PM
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Top 10 Reasons to get Persian Word Magnets

١٠ دلايل براى گرفتن كلمه بازى مغناطيسى

Games • Products •
by Rezwan on 03/02 at 12:33 PM
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You need a reason?  To get Persian word magnets?  They’re PERSIAN.  You can have the PERSIAN LANGUAGE at your fingertips!  Not enough?  Well OK, then.  Here are the top ten reasons. 

Nowruzizing Google

گوگل را نوروزانه كردن

Words • Creating New Words •
by Rezwan on 02/27 at 12:54 PM
Permalink »

The folks at http://www.esfahanhost.com/nowrouz/ want you to pester Google to put this image on the google page for Nowruz.  Click the links to pester google!  (Note:  clicking link opens browser to maximum size.  Also, they have a few other image choices.)

First Encounter

اولين برخورد

About • Basic Communication • Idioms •
by Rezwan on 02/06 at 01:31 AM
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Welcome to ajaban zabAn!  You have added a hundred years to our life!  Or a hundred megabytes to our bandwidth!  Please walk on our eyeballs.  And then take a moment to get oriented:

Flying Cage Shirt

Products •
by Rezwan on 02/06 at 12:39 AM
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Juju Fever!  What is it about wearing a Juju the Cage-Bird T-shirt that makes you able to suddenly fly over tall buildings despite your chains?  Obstacles.  HAH!  Juju leverages your obstacles. 
More info on Juju here. 
All the Juju apparel you could ever want is HERE!

Persian-English Magnets Are Here!

كلمه بازى مغناطيسى اينجاست

Games • Products •
by Rezwan on 02/06 at 12:12 AM
Permalink »

Our new Persian-English Magnetic Word Play kits will help you bond with the Persian (a.k.a. Farsi) language. The kits are fun and educational and spark creativity! They are great for any level of language ability. Each kit has different words chosen around a theme.

Jingle

Products •
by Rezwan on 02/04 at 03:18 AM
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Your Role

About • Basic Communication • Idioms •
by Rezwan on 01/24 at 07:44 PM
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قطره قطره جمع گردد - وانگهى دريا شود

Two Veins

كيفيت دو رگه بودن

About • Basic Communication • Idioms •
by Rezwan on 01/22 at 02:50 PM
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Some Iranian terms (a.k.a. slurs) for dual nationality.