Afghanistan
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Afghan Sign Language
[afg] Balkh province: Mazar-e Sharif; Bamyan province: Bamiyan city; Herat province: Herat city; Kabul province: Kabul city; Kandahar province: Kandahar city; Laghman province; Nangarhar province: Jalalabad city and many surrounding districts; Parwan province; Takhar province: Faizabad. Most live in Kabul and Jalalabad. Users: 190,000 (2021). Estimated 115,000–230,000 signing deaf (0.3%–0.6% of the total population), depending on incidence of deafness, availability of education, and impact of war. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: AFSL, Afghan Sign. Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language.
Aimaq
[aiq] Badghis, Ghor, and Herat provinces; Farah and Faryab provinces: smaller border areas; west of Hazara. Users: 1,400,000 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc). Total users in all countries: 1,886,900. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Barbari, Berberi, Chahar-Aimaq, Char Aimaq. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian.
Arabic, Tajiki Spoken
[abh] Balkh province: Dawlatabad district, Khushalabad, Yakhdan; Jawzjan province: Mingajik district, Sultan Arigh; Sheberghan district, Hasanabad. Users: 16,000 in Afghanistan (2017), decreasing. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Arabi. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic.
Ashkun
[ask] Nuristan province: Wama district, Pech valley; Duab and Nurgaram districts, east side of lower Alingar valley; Bajagal, Kolatan, Malil wa Mushfa, and Titin valleys; Kunar province: Chapa Dara district. Users: 40,000 (2011), increasing. 4,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 40,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ashkund, Ashkuni, Ashkunu viri, Wamais, Wamayi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Nuristani.
Azerbaijani, North
[azj] Users: 13,000 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani.
Balochi, Western
[bgn] Helmand, Kandahar, and Nimroz, provinces: Zaranj city and Helmand river areas. Users: 415,000 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc). Status: 5 (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in Southwest Desert Region (2004, Constitution, Article 16(2)). Alternate Names: Baloci, Baluchi, Baluci. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi.
Brahui
[brh] Helmand and Kandahar provinces: Chakhansoor to Shorawak among the Balochi [bgn]. Users: 200,000 in Afghanistan (Dupree 1980), increasing. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Birahui, Biravi, Brahuiki, Kur Galli, Kurd Gali. Classification: Dravidian, Northern.
Dari
[prs] Widespread. Users: 28,660,000 in Afghanistan, all users. L1 users: 8,660,000 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc), increasing. L2 users: 20,000,000 (2020). Total users in all countries: 29,452,210 (as L1: 9,452,210; as L2: 20,000,000). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2004, Constitution, Article 16(1)). Alternate Names: Afghan Persian, Eastern Farsi, Parsi, Persian. Autonym: فارسی (Farsi). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian.
Degano
[wsv] Scattered in Kunar province: Watapur district, Katar Qala and Watapur villages. Users: No known L1 speakers. Last known speaker survived into the late 1950s. Ethnic population: 30 (2017 D. Miller). Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Wotapuri-Katarqalai. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Kohistani.
English
[eng] Scattered. Users: 1,812,000 in Afghanistan, all users. L1 users: 12,000 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 1,800,000 (2021 World Factbook). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English.
Gawar-Bati
[gwt] Kunar province: Konar river valley. 8 or 9 villages. Users: 32,000 in Afghanistan (2017). Ethnic population: 32,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 36,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Arandui, Gowari, Narisati, Narsati, Satre. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Kunar.
Grangali
[nli] Kunar province: Grangali and Zemiaki; Kandai on south Pech river, 2 small valleys; Nangarhar province: Dara-I-Nur district; Nangalami dialect in Ningalam village where Waigal and Pech rivers meet. Users: 5,000 (1994). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Gelangali, Jumiaki. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Kunar.
Gujari
[gju] Scattered. Nomadic, traveling in summer in eastern valleys. Users: 15,000 in Afghanistan (2015). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Gojari, Gojri, Gujuri Rajasthani. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Rajasthani, Unclassified.
Hazaragi
[haz] Widespread. Users: 3,120,000 in Afghanistan (2017). Total users in all countries: 3,628,900. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Azargi, Hazara, Hazaraghi, Hezareh. Autonym: آزرگی (Azoragi). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian.
Inku
[jat] Balkh, Faryab, Herat, and Kunduz provinces. Users: No known L1 speakers. Last speakers probably survived into the 1990s. Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Enku, Jakati, Jat, Jataki, Jati, Jatu, Kayani, Musali. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Panjabi, Western Panjabi.
Ishkashimi
[isk] Badakhshan province: Ishkashim and Wakham districts; north of Ishkashim in Bahar Bazar, Darwan, Qaz Deh, Xermani, Zargaran, and Zayad villages. Users: 2,500 in Afghanistan (2009 S. Beck), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 2,500 (2009 S. Beck). Total users in all countries: 3,000. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Eshkashimi, Ishkashim, Ishkashmi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir.
Kamviri
[xvi] Nuristan province: Kamdesh and Kishtoz villages in lower Bashgal valley. Users: 18,000 in Afghanistan (2011), increasing. 3,600 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 18,000. Total users in all countries: 20,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kamdeshi, Kamik, Lamertiviri, Shekhani. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Nuristani.
Kati
[bsh] Badakhshan, Kunar, and Nuristan provinces: smaller areas in Laghman and Panjsher provinces; Eastern Kativiri dialect: upper Bashgal valley (Barg-e-Matal); Mumviri dialect: Gabalgrom, Mangul, and Sasku villages in Bashgal valley; Western Kativiri dialect: Duab and Mondul districts, Ktivi (Kantiwo), Kulam, Paruk (Papruk), and Ramgal valleys. Users: 128,000 in Afghanistan (2017), increasing. Ethnic population: 128,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 135,800. Status: 5 (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in Nuristan Province (2004, Constitution, Article 16(2)). Alternate Names: Bashgali, Kata viri, Kativiri, Kâtʹa-vari, Nuristani. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Nuristani.
Khowar
[khw] Badakhshan province. Users: 8,900 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Chitral.
Kyrgyz
[kir] Badakhshan province: Wakhan district, Great Pamir and Little Pamir valleys. Users: 750 in Afghanistan (2000). 450 in the Great Pamir; a few in Badakhshan. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Kirghiz, Kirghizi, Kirgiz, Kyrgyz tili, Kyrgyzcha. Classification: Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian.
Mogholi
[mhj] Herat province: Karez-i-Mulla and Kundur. Users: No known L1 speakers. Known to be in use in the 1970s by some older adults (Weiers 2003). Ethnic population: 2,000. Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Moghol, Mogol, Mogul, Mongul. Classification: Mongolic, Western.
Munji
[mnj] Badakhshan province: Kuran wa Munjan district, Mamalgha and Munjan valleys. Users: 5,300 (2008 D. Beyer and S. Beck). Very few monolinguals. Ethnic population: 5,300. Status: 5 (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in Badakhshan Province (2004, Constitution, Article 16(2)). Alternate Names: Munjani, Munjigi, Munjiwar. Autonym: منجانی (Munjani). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir.
Ormuri
[oru] Logar province: Charkh district, Baraki-Barak. Users: 50 in Afghanistan (2011 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 2,000. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Baraks, Bargista, Oormuri, Ormui. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Ormuri-Parachi.
Pahlavani
[phv] Nimroz province: Chakhansur district. Users: No known L1 speakers. Status: 9 (Dormant). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian.
Parachi
[prc] Kapisa province: Kabul area, Nijrau and Tagau villages; Hindu Kush valley (Pachaghan, Shutul, and Ghujulan). Users: 3,500 (Kiefer 2009). Status: 7 (Shifting). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Ormuri-Parachi.
Parya
[paq] Laghman province; Kabul and Nangarhar provinces small border areas. Users: No known L1 speakers in Afghanistan. Ethnic population: 240. Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Afghana-Yi Nasfurush, Afghana-Yi Siyarui, Laghmani. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Unclassified.
Pashai, Northeast
[aee] Kunar province: west of Asadabad, Konar and Pech rivers’ valleys; Nangarhar province: Dara-I-Nur and Kuz Konar districts. Users: 54,400 (2000). Total Pashai speakers in Afghanistan: 366,000 (2020 World Factbook). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Statutory language of national identity (2004, Constitution, Article 16(2)). Alternate Names: Northeast Pashayi, Pashai. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Pashai.
Pashai, Northwest
[glh] Kabul province: northwest of Kabul; Kapisa, Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan provinces; some in Nangarhar and Parwan provinces; Alisheng valley and others north of Sarobi. Users: 70,000 (2011 SIL). Total Pashai speakers in Afghanistan: 366,000 (2020 World Factbook). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Northwest Pashayi, Pashai. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Pashai.
Pashai, Southeast
[psi] Nangarhar province: north of Shewa; Laghman province; Alingar valley area; Upper and Lower Darrai Nur valley, Damench, Shale (Shari). Users: 180,000 (2011 Pashai Language Development Project), increasing. 75,000 Laghman, 95,000 Nangarhar, 10,000 Kunar. Total Pashai speakers in Afghanistan: 366,000 (2020 World Factbook). 100,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 400,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in Nangahar, Laghman provinces (2004, Constitution, Article 16(2)). Alternate Names: Pashai, Southeast Pashayi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Pashai.
Pashai, Southwest
[psh] Northeast of Kabul, and in Kapisa province; north of Sarobi, Tagau (Tagab) valley. Users: 100,000 (2011 SIL). Total Pashai speakers in Afghanistan: 366,000 (2020 World Factbook). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Pashai, Southwest Pashayi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Pashai.
Pashto, Northern
[pbu] Nangarhar province and surrounding regions; scattered. Users: 5,190,000 in Afghanistan, all users. L1 users: 3,830,000 in Afghanistan (2017), increasing. L2 users: 1,360,000 (2021). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Afghan, Eastern Afghan Pashto, Northwestern Pakhto, Pakhtoon, Pakhtun, Paktu, Pashtoon, Sharqi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto.
Pashto, Southern
[pbt] Badghis, Farah, Helmand, Herat, Kandahar, Nimroz, Uruzgan, and Zabul provinces. Users: 13,320,000 in Afghanistan, all users. L1 users: 9,840,000 in Afghanistan (2017). L2 users: 3,480,000 (2021). Total users in all countries: 19,732,400 (as L1: 16,252,400; as L2: 3,480,000). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2004, Constitution, Article 16(1)). Alternate Names: Kandahari Pashto, Qandahari Pashto, Southwestern Pashto. Autonym: پښتو (Pax̌tō). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto.
Prasuni
[prn] Nuristan province: Sech, Shupu (Ishtivi, Shtevgrom), Ucu, Ushut, and Zumu villages; Prasun (Parun) valley on upper reaches of Pech river; small border area with Badakhshan province. Users: 8,000 (2011), increasing. 1,600 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 8,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Nuristani, Parun, Paruni, Prasun, Vasi vari, Veron, Verou, Veruni, Wasi-Veri, Wasi-weri. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Nuristani.
Punjabi, Western
[pnb] Users: 39,000 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Panjabi, Western Panjabi.
Sanglechi
[sgy] Badakhshan province: Zebok district, Dashte Rubat, Esketul, Faruq, Flaxmadek, Sar-Sanglech, and Takya villages in Sanglech valley. Users: 2,200 (2009 S. Beck). Ethnic population: 2,200. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dargi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir.
Savi
[sdg] Kunar province: Sau village on Konar river. Users: 5,000 in Afghanistan (2017). Total users in all countries: 9,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Sau, Sauji, Sawi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Shina.
Shughni
[sgh] Badakhshan province: both sides of Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, 50 km north of Ishkashim, Pamir mountains. Users: 40,000 in Afghanistan (2009). Most are monolingual. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Khughnani, Khughni, Khughnoni, Khugnone, Shighnani, Shighni, Shughnani, Shughnoni, Shugni. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir, Shugni-Yazgulami.
Shumashti
[sts] Kunar province: Konar valley west side between Pech valley and Jalalabad city. Users: 1,000 (1994). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Shumasht. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Kunar.
Sindhi
[snd] Users: 21,000 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Sindhi.
Tirahi
[tra] Nangarhar province: Nangarhar village southeast of Jalalabad, west of Khyber Pass. Users: 100. Ethnic population: 5,000. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Kohistani.
Tregami
[trm] Kunar province: Gambir and Katar villages in Tregam valley. Users: 3,500 (2011), increasing. 700 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,500. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Katar Gambir, Trigami. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Nuristani.
Turkish
[tur] Users: 9,500 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish.
Turkmen
[tuk] Badghis, Balkh, Faryab, Herat, Jawzjan, and Kunduz provinces; most live outside cities, including Kabul; northern border of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan. Users: 733,000 in Afghanistan (2021 World Factbook). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Statutory language of provincial identity in Turkmenistan border areas (2004, Constitution, Article 16(2)). Alternate Names: Turkman, Turkmencha, Turkmeni, Türkmen dili, Türkmençe. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkmenian.
Urdu
[urd] Users: 733,000 in Afghanistan (2021 World Factbook). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Western Hindi, Hindustani.
Uyghur
[uig] Badakshan province: Baharak district, a few villages; Faizabad city; Kabul. Users: 3,000 in Afghanistan. Status: Unestablished. Alternate Names: Uighor, Uighur, Uiguir, Uyghuri, Wighor. Classification: Turkic, Eastern.
Uzbek, Southern
[uzs] Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Faryab, Ghor, Jawzjan, Kunduz, Samangan, and Takhar provinces; Aqcha, Maimana, Saripul, and Sheberghan towns. Users: 3,660,000 in Afghanistan, all users. L1 users: 3,120,000 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc), increasing. L2 users: 540,000 (2021 World Factbook). 1,000,000 monolinguals (2010). Total users in all countries: 5,296,100 (as L1: 4,756,100; as L2: 540,000). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in Fariab, Jawzjan, Saripul, other northern provinces (2004, Constitution, Article 16(2)). Alternate Names: O’zbek, Usbeki, Uzbak, Uzbeki. Autonym: ﯣزبېک (o’zbek). Classification: Turkic, Eastern.
Waigali
[wbk] Kunar province: north of Pech; Nuristan province: southeast; north Waigal valley (Varjan): Ameshdesh, Jamach, Waigal, Zonchigal villages, and east in Veligal valley villages; lower valley villages (Chima-Nishey). Users: 28,000 (2017), increasing. 2,300 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 28,000 (2017). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kalasha ala, Suki, Wai, Wai-Ala, Waigala, Waigalii, Waigeli, Zhonjigali. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Nuristani.
Wakhi
[wbl] Badakhshan province: Wakhan district, Panj river area to Sarhad village; Khandud village is the center. 42 villages. Users: 17,000 in Afghanistan (2011 S. Beck), increasing. Ethnic population: 17,000. Total users in all countries: 52,200. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Khik, Khikwar, Vakhan, Wakhani, Wakhigi. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir.