Ashkun

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A language of Afghanistan

ISO 639-3
ask
Alternate Names
Ashkund, Ashkuni, Ashkunu viri, Wamais, Wamayi
User Population

40,000 (2011), increasing. 4,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 40,000.

Location

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.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Nuristani
Dialects

Ashuruviri (Kolata, Titin Bajaygul), Gramsukraviri, Suruviri (Wamai). Not intelligible with the other Nuristani languages.

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Northern Pashto [pbu].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ashkun
Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].

Other Comments

Spoken in the central and western Nuristan valleys, which also divide divergent dialects. Muslim.