Kati

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A language of Afghanistan

ISO 639-3
bsh
Alternate Names
Bashgali, Kata viri, Kativiri, Kâtʹa-vari, Nuristani
User Population

128,000 in Afghanistan (2017), increasing. Ethnic population: 128,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 135,800.

Location

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.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in Nuristan Province (2004, Constitution, Article 16(2)).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Nuristani
Dialects

Eastern Kativiri, Western Kativiri (Jadidi, Ramgulviri), Mumviri. Mumviri may be a separate language. Eastern and Western Kataviri are very similar dialects and almost completely mutually intelligible.

Typology

Agglutinative suffixes; CVC, CCVC, CV, CCCVC, CCVCC, CCCVCC.

Language Use

Outside of language area, shifting towards Dari [prs]. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Dari [prs], especially in the west. Also use Southern Pashto [pbt], especially in the east.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 1%–3%. The Afghanistan Ministry of Education has produced Eastern Kati language textbooks for first through twelfth grades. But as of November 2021, these books had not yet been distributed to schools. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kati
Writing

Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab], limited usage, in development. Arabic script, Nastaliq variant [Aran], used in handwriting and for book titles.

Other Comments

Kati is different from Kamviri [xvi], but the two are significantly mutually intelligible and speakers may refer to them as the same language. Muslim.

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