Languages of Afghanistan
| Languages of Afghanistan | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Official languages | Dari and Pashto |
| Regional languages | Dari, Pashto, Hazaragi, Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi |
| Sign languages | Afghan Sign Language |
Afghanistan is a multilingual country in which two languages – Dari and Pashto – are both official and most widely spoken. Dari is the official name of the Persian language in Afghanistan, it is often referred to as the Afghan Persian. Both Pashto and Persian are Indo-European languages from the Iranian languages sub-family. Other regional languages, such as Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi and Nuristani are spoken by minority groups across the country.
Minor languages may include Ashkunu, Kamkata-viri, Vasi-vari, Tregami and Kalasha-ala, Pamiri (Shughni, Munji, Ishkashimi and Wakhi), Brahui, 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.
Pashto is the most spoken language of Afghanistan's official languages. In 1980, other regional languages were granted official status in the regions where they are the language of the majority. Article 16 of the 2004 Afghan Constitution states that "The Turkic languages (Uzbek and Turkmen), Balochi, Pashayi, Nuristani and Pamiri (alsana) are – in addition to Pashto and Dari – the third official language in areas where the majority speaks them. The practical modalities for implementation of this provision shall be specified by law."
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