This talk examines the representation of lovers in classical Persian poetry, focusing on the interplay between linguistic features and gender expression. Persian, a genderless language, exhibits a notable lack of grammatical gender distinctions. This characteristic is reflected in the vocabulary used to describe lovers, where terms such as dūst ‘friend’ and yār ‘companion’ are equally applicable to both male and female beloveds. Furthermore, physical descriptions of lovers often lack explicit gender markers, posing a unique challenge in translation to gendered languages like French and Italian.
However, the presence of numerous Arabic loanwords adds a layer of complexity. Arabic, unlike Persian, possesses grammatical gender. While Persian generally employs the masculine form of Arabic loanwords (e.g., maʿshūq for both male and female beloveds), the retention of feminine forms such as maʿshūqa to refer to female figures provides valuable insights into the interplay of linguistic influence and gender representation in Persian poetry. Examples from classical Persian poetry will illustrate instances of residual gender-specific loanwords and their implications within the Persian poetic discourse.