Misplaced Pages

Languages of Afghanistan: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 20:53, 2 April 2019 edit2a02:1811:508a:8500:bdce:acf9:f8e1:571a (talk)No edit summaryTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit← Previous edit Revision as of 21:28, 2 April 2019 edit undo2a02:1811:508a:8500:bdce:acf9:f8e1:571a (talk) Because this information is not correctTags: nowiki added references removed Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web editNext edit →
Line 3: Line 3:
|image = Ethnolinguistic Groups Afghanistan EN.svg |image = Ethnolinguistic Groups Afghanistan EN.svg
|caption = ] ] in 1997. |caption = ] ] in 1997.
|official= ] and ]<ref name=AO/> |official= <nowiki> Pashto] and ]</nowiki><ref name=AO/>
|regional = ], ], ], ], ], ] |regional = ]<nowiki>, ], </nowiki>], ], ], ]
|sign = ] |sign = ]
}} }}
] is a multilingual country in which two languages – ] and ] – are both ] and most widely spoken.<ref name=AO/> ] is a multilingual country in which two languages –pashto and ] – are both ] and most widely spoken.<ref name=AO/>


Dari is the official name of the ] in Afghanistan. It is often referred to as the ''Afghan Persian''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sil.org/iso639-3/documentation.asp?id=prs |title=Documentation for ISO 639 identifier: prs |publisher=Sil.org |date=18 January 2010 |accessdate=December 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2098.html?countryName=Afghanistan&countryCode=af&regionCode=sas&#af |title=The World Factbook: Afghanistan |publisher=Cia.gov |accessdate=December 5, 2014}}</ref> Although still widely known as ''Farsi'' ("Persian") to its native speakers, the name was officially changed to Dari in 1964.<ref name="Kaboli">R. Farhadi and J. R. Perry, , ], Online Edition, originally in Vol. XV, Fasc. 3, pp. 276–280, 2009.</ref> Parsi is the official name of the ] in Iran. It is often referred to as the ''Afghan Persian''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sil.org/iso639-3/documentation.asp?id=prs |title=Documentation for ISO 639 identifier: prs |publisher=Sil.org |date=18 January 2010 |accessdate=December 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2098.html?countryName=Afghanistan&countryCode=af&regionCode=sas&#af |title=The World Factbook: Afghanistan |publisher=Cia.gov |accessdate=December 5, 2014}}</ref>Although still widely as ''Farsi'' ("Persian") to its native speakers, the name was officially changed to Dari in 1964.<ref name="Kaboli">R. Farhadi and J. R. Perry, , ], Online Edition, originally in Vol. XV, Fasc. 3, pp. 276–280, 2009.</ref>


Both Persian and Pashto are ] from the ] sub-family. Other regional languages, such as ], ], ], ] and ] are spoken by minority groups across the country. Both Persian and Pashto are ] from the ] sub-family. Other regional languages, such as , ], ] and ] are spoken by minority groups across the country.


Minor languages may include ],<ref name="Hakala2012"/><ref name="Krishnamurthy2013"/> ],<ref name="WahabYoungerman2007">{{cite book|last1=Wahab|first1=Shaista|last2=Youngerman|first2=Barry|title=A Brief History of Afghanistan|year=2007|publisher=Infobase Publishing|language=English|isbn=9781438108193|page=18|quote=Afghan Hindus and Sikhs speak Hindi or Punjabi in addition to Dari and Pashto.}}</ref> ], ], ], ] and ], ] (], ], ] and ]), ], ], Qizilbash, Aimaq, and Pashai and ]. Linguist ] believes that Afghanistan is home to more than 40 minor languages,<ref>]: ''Sprachen-Almanach – Zahlen und Fakten zu allen Sprachen der Welt.'' Campus-Verl., Frankfurt/Main 2002, {{ISBN|3-593-36572-3}}, S.273–274; Afghanistan</ref> with around 200 different dialects. Minor languages may include ],<ref name="Hakala2012"/><ref name="Krishnamurthy2013"/> ],<ref name="WahabYoungerman2007">{{cite book|last1=Wahab|first1=Shaista|last2=Youngerman|first2=Barry|title=A Brief History of Afghanistan|year=2007|publisher=Infobase Publishing|language=English|isbn=9781438108193|page=18|quote=Afghan Hindus and Sikhs speak Hindi or Punjabi in addition to Dari and Pashto.}}</ref> ], ], ], ] and ], ] (], ], ] and ]), ], ], Qizilbash, Aimaq, and Pashai and ]. Linguist ] believes that Afghanistan is home to more than 40 minor languages,<ref>]: ''Sprachen-Almanach – Zahlen und Fakten zu allen Sprachen der Welt.'' Campus-Verl., Frankfurt/Main 2002, {{ISBN|3-593-36572-3}}, S.273–274; Afghanistan</ref> with around 200 different dialects.
Line 21: Line 21:
|title = Languages of Afghanistan<ref name="Afghan2018">The Asia Foundation. </ref> |title = Languages of Afghanistan<ref name="Afghan2018">The Asia Foundation. </ref>
|bars = |bars =
{{bar percent|]|gray|40}} {{bar percent|]|gray|70%}}
{{bar percent|]|gray|60}} {{bar percent|]|gray|20}}
{{bar percent|]|gray|11}} {{bar percent|]|gray|9}}
{{bar percent|]|gray|6}} {{bar percent|]|gray|1}}
{{bar percent|]|gray|3}} {{bar percent|]|gray|2}}
{{bar percent|]|gray|3}} {{bar percent|]|gray|1}}
{{bar percent|]|gray|1}} {{bar percent|]|gray|1}}
}} }}


The ] functions as the nation's ] and is the native tongue of various Afghan ethnic groups including the ], ], and ].<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/7798/Afghanistan/226122/Languages |title=Languages of Afghanistan|publisher=]}}</ref> Pashto is the ] of the ], the dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |author=|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/world/2001/war_on_terror/key_maps/ethnic_pashtun.stm|title=Ethnic groups|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=7 June 2013|quote=Pashtun: Estimated to be in excess of 45% of the population, the Pashtuns have been the most dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan.}}</ref> Due to Afghanistan's ], ] is a common phenomenon. The ] functions as the nation's ] and is the native tongue of various Afghan ethnic groups including the ], ], and ].<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/7798/Afghanistan/226122/Languages |title=Languages of Afghanistan|publisher=]}}</ref>Pashto is the ] of the ], the dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |author=|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/world/2001/war_on_terror/key_maps/ethnic_pashtun.stm|title=Ethnic groups|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=7 June 2013|quote=Pashtun: Estimated to be in excess of 45% of the population, the Pashtuns have been the most dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan.}}</ref> Due to Afghanistan's ], ] is a common phenomenon.
]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://moe.gov.af/fa/page/2049|title=Textbooks, Afghan Ministry of Education|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>]] ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://moe.gov.af/fa/page/2049|title=Textbooks, Afghan Ministry of Education|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>]]


The exact figures about the size and composition of the various ethnolinguistic groups are unavailable since no systematic census has been held in Afghanistan in decades.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3717092.stm|title=Afghan poll's ethnic battleground|first=Pam|last=O'toole|publisher=]|date=October 6, 2004|accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref> The table below displays the major languages spoken in Afghanistan: The exact figures about the size and composition of the various ethnolinguistic groups are unavailable since no systematic census has been held in Afghanistan in decades.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3717092.stm|title=Afghan poll's ethnic battleground|first=Pam|last=O'toole|publisher=]|date=October 6, 2004|accessdate=2010-09-16}}</ref> The table below displays the major languages spoken in Afghanistan:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Spoken Languages in Afghanistan
|-
! Language !! 2006 (as L1)<br>(out of 6,226)<ref name="Afghan2006">The Asia Foundation. </ref> !! 2006 (as L2)<br>(out of 6,226)<ref name="Afghan2006" /> !! 2013<br>(out of 9,260)<ref>The Asia Foundation. </ref> !! 2018<br>(out of 13,943)<ref name="Afghan2018" />
|-
| ] || 49% || 37% || 79% || 77%
|-
| ] || 40% || 28% || 51% || 48%
|-
| ] || 9% || 6% || 9% || 11%
|-
| ] || 2% || 3% || 3% || 3%
|-
| ] || 0% || 0% || 1% || 1%
|-
| ] || 0% || 1% || 1% || 1%
|-
| ] || N/A || N/A || 1% || 1%
|-
| ] || 0% || 2% || 1% || 1%
|-
| ] || 0% || 8% || 5% || 6%
|-
| ] || 0% || 7% || 2% || 3%
|}


A sizeable population in Afghanistan, especially in ], can also speak and understand ] due to the popularity and influence of ] films and songs in the region.<ref name="Hakala2012">{{cite web|url=http://media.nationalgeographic.org/assets/file/asia_8.pdf|title=Languages as a Key to Understanding Afghanistan's Cultures|last=Hakala|first=Walter N.|year=2012|publisher=]|language=English|accessdate=13 March 2018|quote=In the 1980s and '90s, at least three million Afghans--mostly Pashtun--fled to Pakistan, where a substantial number spent several years being exposed to Hindi- and Urdu-language media, especially Bollywood films and songs, and beng educated in Urdu-language schools, both of which contributed to the decline of Dari, even among urban Pashtuns.}}</ref><ref name="Krishnamurthy2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.gatewayhouse.in/kabul-diary-discovering-the-indian-connection/|title=Kabul Diary: Discovering the Indian connection|last=Krishnamurthy|first=Rajeshwari|date=28 June 2013|publisher=Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations|language=English|accessdate=13 March 2018|quote=Most Afghans in Kabul understand and/or speak Hindi, thanks to the popularity of Indian cinema in the country.}}</ref> A sizeable population in Afghanistan, especially in ], can also speak and understand ] due to the popularity and influence of ] films and songs in the region.<ref name="Hakala2012">{{cite web|url=http://media.nationalgeographic.org/assets/file/asia_8.pdf|title=Languages as a Key to Understanding Afghanistan's Cultures|last=Hakala|first=Walter N.|year=2012|publisher=]|language=English|accessdate=13 March 2018|quote=In the 1980s and '90s, at least three million Afghans--mostly Pashtun--fled to Pakistan, where a substantial number spent several years being exposed to Hindi- and Urdu-language media, especially Bollywood films and songs, and beng educated in Urdu-language schools, both of which contributed to the decline of Dari, even among urban Pashtuns.}}</ref><ref name="Krishnamurthy2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.gatewayhouse.in/kabul-diary-discovering-the-indian-connection/|title=Kabul Diary: Discovering the Indian connection|last=Krishnamurthy|first=Rajeshwari|date=28 June 2013|publisher=Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations|language=English|accessdate=13 March 2018|quote=Most Afghans in Kabul understand and/or speak Hindi, thanks to the popularity of Indian cinema in the country.}}</ref>


== Language policy == == Language policy ==
The official languages of the country are Pashto and Dari as established by the ]. Dari is the most widely spoken language of Afghanistan's ]s and acts as a ] for the country. In 1980, other ]s were granted official status in the regions where they are the language of the majority.<ref name="Iranica-Afghanistan-lang">{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/afghanistan-v-languages|title=AFGHANISTAN v. Languages|quote=''A. Official languages. Paṧtō (1) is the native tongue of 50 to 55 percent of Afghans... Persian (2) is the language most spoken in Afghanistan. The native tongue of twenty five percent of the population, it is split into numerous dialects.''|publisher=Encyclopædia Iranica|work=Ch. M. Kieffer|accessdate=2012-04-08}}</ref> This policy was codified in the 2004 ], which established Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi, Nuristani and Pamiri as a third official language in areas where they are spoken by a majority of the population.<ref name="AO">{{cite web|title=What Languages are Spoken in Afghanistan?|url=http://alphaomegatranslations.com/2015/09/21/what-languages-are-spoken-in-afghanistan/#preamble |quote=Pashto and Dari are the official languages of the state. are – in addition to Pashto and Dari – the third official language in areas where the majority speaks them|year=2004 |accessdate=June 13, 2012}}</ref> The official languages of the country are Pashto and Dari as established by the ]. Pashto is the most widely spoken language of Afghanistan's ]s and acts as a ] for the country. In 1980, other ]s were granted official status in the regions where they are the language of the majority.<ref name="Iranica-Afghanistan-lang">{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/afghanistan-v-languages|title=AFGHANISTAN v. Languages|quote=''A. Official languages. Paṧtō (1) is the native tongue of 50 to 55 percent of Afghans... Persian (2) is the language most spoken in Afghanistan. The native tongue of twenty five percent of the population, it is split into numerous dialects.''|publisher=Encyclopædia Iranica|work=Ch. M. Kieffer|accessdate=2012-04-08}}</ref> This policy was codified in the 2004 ], which established Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi, Nuristani and Pamiri as a third official language in areas where they are spoken by a majority of the population.<ref name="AO">{{cite web|title=What Languages are Spoken in Afghanistan?|url=http://alphaomegatranslations.com/2015/09/21/what-languages-are-spoken-in-afghanistan/#preamble |quote=Pashto and Dari are the official languages of the state. are – in addition to Pashto and Dari – the third official language in areas where the majority speaks them|year=2004 |accessdate=June 13, 2012}}</ref>


== See also == == See also ==

Revision as of 21:28, 2 April 2019

Languages of Afghanistan
Ethnolinguistic groups of Afghanistan in 1997.
Official Pashto] and ]
RegionalPashto language, ], Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi
SignedAfghan Sign Language

Afghanistan is a multilingual country in which two languages –pashto and parsi – are both official and most widely spoken.

Parsi is the official name of the Persian language in Iran. It is often referred to as the Afghan Persian.Although still widely as Farsi ("Persian") to its native speakers, the name was officially changed to Dari in 1964.

Both Persian and Pashto are Indo-European languages from the Iranian languages sub-family. Other regional languages, such as , Balochi, Pashayi and Nuristani are spoken by minority groups across the country.

Minor languages may include Hindi-Urdu, Punjabi, Ashkunu, Kamkata-viri, Vasi-vari, Tregami and Kalasha-ala, Pamiri (Shughni, Munji, Ishkashimi and Wakhi), Brahui, Arabic, Qizilbash, Aimaq, and Pashai and Kyrgyz. Linguist Harald Haarmann believes that Afghanistan is home to more than 40 minor languages, with around 200 different dialects.

Overview

Languages of Afghanistan
Pashto   70%%
Dari   20%
Uzbek   9%
English   1%
Turkmen   2%
Urdu   1%
Arabic   1%

The Pashto language functions as the nation's lingua franca and is the native tongue of various Afghan ethnic groups including the Tajiks, Hazaras, and Aimaks.Pashto is the native tongue of the Pashtuns, the dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan. Due to Afghanistan's multi-ethnic character, multilingualism is a common phenomenon.

Afghan school textbooks written in Pashto language

The exact figures about the size and composition of the various ethnolinguistic groups are unavailable since no systematic census has been held in Afghanistan in decades. The table below displays the major languages spoken in Afghanistan:

A sizeable population in Afghanistan, especially in Kabul, can also speak and understand Hindi-Urdu due to the popularity and influence of Bollywood films and songs in the region.

Language policy

The official languages of the country are Pashto and Dari as established by the 1964 Constitution of Afghanistan. Pashto is the most widely spoken language of Afghanistan's official languages and acts as a lingua franca for the country. In 1980, other regional languages were granted official status in the regions where they are the language of the majority. This policy was codified in the 2004 Afghan Constitution, which established Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi, Nuristani and Pamiri as a third official language in areas where they are spoken by a majority of the population.

See also

References

  1. ^ "What Languages are Spoken in Afghanistan?". 2004. Retrieved June 13, 2012. Pashto and Dari are the official languages of the state. are – in addition to Pashto and Dari – the third official language in areas where the majority speaks them
  2. "Documentation for ISO 639 identifier: prs". Sil.org. 18 January 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  3. "The World Factbook: Afghanistan". Cia.gov. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  4. R. Farhadi and J. R. Perry, Kaboli, Encyclopaedia Iranica, Online Edition, originally in Vol. XV, Fasc. 3, pp. 276–280, 2009.
  5. ^ Hakala, Walter N. (2012). "Languages as a Key to Understanding Afghanistan's Cultures" (PDF). National Geographic. Retrieved 13 March 2018. In the 1980s and '90s, at least three million Afghans--mostly Pashtun--fled to Pakistan, where a substantial number spent several years being exposed to Hindi- and Urdu-language media, especially Bollywood films and songs, and beng educated in Urdu-language schools, both of which contributed to the decline of Dari, even among urban Pashtuns.
  6. ^ Krishnamurthy, Rajeshwari (28 June 2013). "Kabul Diary: Discovering the Indian connection". Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations. Retrieved 13 March 2018. Most Afghans in Kabul understand and/or speak Hindi, thanks to the popularity of Indian cinema in the country.
  7. Wahab, Shaista; Youngerman, Barry (2007). A Brief History of Afghanistan. Infobase Publishing. p. 18. ISBN 9781438108193. Afghan Hindus and Sikhs speak Hindi or Punjabi in addition to Dari and Pashto.
  8. Harald Haarmann: Sprachen-Almanach – Zahlen und Fakten zu allen Sprachen der Welt. Campus-Verl., Frankfurt/Main 2002, ISBN 3-593-36572-3, S.273–274; Afghanistan
  9. The Asia Foundation. Afghanistan in 2018: A Survey of the Afghan People.
  10. "Languages of Afghanistan". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  11. "Ethnic groups". BBC News. Retrieved 7 June 2013. Pashtun: Estimated to be in excess of 45% of the population, the Pashtuns have been the most dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan.
  12. "Textbooks, Afghan Ministry of Education". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  13. O'toole, Pam (October 6, 2004). "Afghan poll's ethnic battleground". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  14. "AFGHANISTAN v. Languages". Ch. M. Kieffer. Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved 2012-04-08. A. Official languages. Paṧtō (1) is the native tongue of 50 to 55 percent of Afghans... Persian (2) is the language most spoken in Afghanistan. The native tongue of twenty five percent of the population, it is split into numerous dialects.

Further reading

External links

Languages of Afghanistan
Official languages
Regional languages
Minority languages
Sign languages
Languages of Asia
Sovereign states
States with
limited recognition
Dependencies and
other territories
Category: