English summary: The "Persian reader" documents the development of the Modern Persian written language, based on a representative selection of original texts ranging from poetry and the literary prose of Ferdawsi (10/11th century) to modern literature, in its entire historical and geographical extension. Every text is accompanied by a portrait of the author, numerous footnotes provide explanations of special linguistic features. A comprehensive glossary comprises the vocabulary, a concise grammar explains the historical and dialectal particularities; all with detailed bibliographical notes....