Nuristani languages

MAPNuristani

Nuristan Map (Nuristan Kart)

Nuristani languages form a unique subgroup within the Indo-Iranian languages, which are part of the larger Indo-European language family. These languages are spoken primarily in the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan, with some speakers in adjacent areas of Pakistan. The Nuristani languages were formerly known as Kafiri languages before the region's inhabitants converted to Islam in the late 19th century, leading to the abandonment of the term due to its pejorative connotations.

Classification

The Nuristani languages are divided into two main groups:

• Northern group: Includes languages such as Kamkata-vari, which has two dialects, Kamviri and Kata-vari, spoken in the high valleys of Nuristan.
• Southern group: Comprises languages like Askunu, Waigali, and Tregami. The Wasi-wari language, now extinct, also belonged to this group.

These languages are distinct from their Indo-Iranian relatives, having split from the main group early in the Indo-Iranian period. They are not as closely related to the Dardic languages, another subgroup of Indo-Iranian languages spoken in the region, as previously thought.

Geographical Distribution

Nuristani languages are predominantly spoken in the Nuristan region of Afghanistan, with a small number of speakers across the border in Pakistan. The rugged terrain and isolated valleys of Nuristan have led to the development of distinct dialects even within the same language group.

Linguistic Features

Nuristani languages exhibit several unique linguistic features not found in other Indo-Iranian languages. These include certain phonological developments, such as the preservation of the Proto-Indo-European *a, which in most other Indo-Iranian languages has changed to *ə (schwa). Additionally, Nuristani languages have retained a three-gender system, similar to some other archaic Indo-European languages, and exhibit complex verb morphology.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Nuristani languages are a window into the early stages of the Indo-Iranian language development. Their preservation of archaic features that have been lost in other Indo-Iranian languages makes them invaluable for the study of the historical linguistics of the Indo-European family. The conversion of the Nuristani people to Islam in the late 19th century and the subsequent changes in their cultural and linguistic landscape add an important dimension to the study of these languages.

Current Status

The Nuristani languages are considered endangered, with varying degrees of fluency among the speaker populations. The spread of Pashto and Dari, the official languages of Afghanistan, and the lack of written standards for most Nuristani languages have contributed to their decline. Efforts to document and revitalize these languages are crucial for their preservation.

See Also

• Indo-European languages
• Indo-Iranian languages
• Language preservation
• Endangered languages