Arabic, Persian (Farsi or Parsi) and Urdu Languages - Comparison

The script is similar with some differences.

But the languages are different.

Persian is spoken by 110 million people worldwide and official language of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Arabic is a language of approximately 246 million native speakers and official language of more than 20 countries

In script Urdu is closer to Persian. Urdu is written right to left in a modified Persian-Arabic script called Nastaliq. As language Urdu is closer to Hindi as both were developed from Khari boli the language of Northern India.

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References

Differences between Arabic, Persian and Urdu Scripts

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100131122747AA8ajDQ

How to choose Arabic vs Farsi to Study

http://learning-farsi.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_choose_arabic_vs_farsi_to_study

Difference between Hindi and Urdu

http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/articles/35824.aspx

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Language Learning Resources

Learning Hindi

http://www.brighthub.com/education/languages/topics/learning-hindi.aspx  (34 articles)

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Related Knols

Difference URDU , ARABIC and FARSI

The Memory Guru of India- Learn Urdu in 2 Days
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Some more resources

Urdu and Parallel Grammar Project.
http://www.aclweb.org/anthology/W/W02/W02-1203.pdf

original knol - http://knol.google.com/k/narayana-rao/arabic-persian-farsi-or-parsi-and-urdu/2utb2lsm2k7a/ 2342