Shekhani dialect

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Shekhani
شیخانی
Shekhani.svg
Native toPakistan
RegionBroghil Pak (Gobor, Shekhandeh, Rumbur, Badogar, and Urstsun), Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
EthnicityShekhan
Native speakers
1,500[1][2]
Language codes
ISO 639-3bsh

Shekhani is a name for the Nuristani language spoken in Broghil Pass in Chitral. Not much is known about the language, but it is presumed to be a Kata-vari language variety.[3] It is one of the Languages of Chitral.[4] Around 1,500 people speak the language.[5]Currently there is a Latin script and Arabic script being developed for Shekhani.·[6] The Khowar name for it is ‘’Sheikhwar’’[7] which means “Language of the Sheikhs or converts”. It is currently endangered due to it’s isolation from other Nuristani languages and close proximity to Dardic and Iranian languages.[8] The Kamviri variety of Shekhani is called Shekhaniwar.[9]

Usage[change | change source]

The name "Shekhani" is used for the Eastern Kata-vari dialect. But because Kamviri in Chitral is borrowing many words from Shekhani, it is also called Kamviri and is now very close.[10] Shekhani is known as "Sheikhwar" in Khowar while Kamviri is known as "Shekhaniwar".[11] Some sources site Shekhani as a term used for the Nuristani dialects and languages, but some just use it for the Eastern Kata-vari dialect.

Alphabet[change | change source]

Abdurrahman L. Rundi along with FLI created a alphabet and writing system in the Nastaliq Arabic script since 26 June, 2022.[12]

References[change | change source]

  1. Frawley, William J. (May 2003). International Encyclopedia of Linguistics. ISBN 978-0-19-977178-3.
  2. https://pakngos.com.pk/developing-writing-system-for-shekhani-language-in-chitral
  3. "Kamviri". Ethnologue.
  4. "Welcome | Khowarchitral". www.khowarchitral.com. February 2, 2016.
  5. Frawley, William J. (May 2003). International Encyclopedia of Linguistics. ISBN 978-0-19-977178-3.
  6. "Writing System for Shekhani Language being developed". April 15, 2021.
  7. "MyTrip - Chitral Valley". MyTrip.pk.
  8. http://www.elpublishing.org/docs/1/17/ldd17_03.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  9. http://www.language-archives.org/language/xvi
  10. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oj3lvRiDb0Vtn_MPOHiW-vouUxCPVrS6/view
  11. http://www.language-archives.org/language/xvi
  12. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S89ggoIVn4Ov3geADxZvUoy-hziJNkDO/view