Kashmiri
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A language of India
6,770,000 in India (2011 census). 6,610,000 Kashmiri, 39,700 Kishtwari, and 125,000 Siraji (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 7,132,780.
Himachal Pradesh state: Chamba and Lahul Spiti districts in Kashmir valley; Jammu and Kashmir state: Anantag, Badgam, Bandipore, eastern Baramula and Kupwara, Doda, Ganderbal, Kargil, Kishtwar, Kulgam, west Leh, Ramban, and Shupian districts.
2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in Jammu and Kashmir (1950, Constitution, Articles 345–347).
Bakawali, Bunjwali, Standard Kashmiri, Kishtwari (Kashtawari, Kashtwari, Kathiawari, Kistwali), Miraski, Rambani, Riasi, Shah-Mansuri, Siraji of Doda, Siraji-Kashmiri, Zayoli, Zirak-Boli, Poguli (Pogali, Pogli). Transitional dialects to Punjabi [pan]. Kashtawari dialect is standard, other dialects are influenced by Dogri [dgo].
SVO; gender (masculine/feminine); case-marking (5 cases); verb affixes mark person, number, object; ergativity; tense and aspect; 23 consonant and 8 vowel phonemes.
Literacy rate in L1: 88% male; 12% female over 35 years of age (Koul and Schmidt 1983). Literacy rate in L2: 55% for Jammu and Kashmir (2001 census). 83% would prefer use of Kashmiri rather than Urdu as medium in primary school, 48% in middle school (Koul and Schmidt 1983). Taught in primary and secondary schools through grade 5 and as subject thereafter in Jammu and Kashmir. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1899–2005.
Muslim, Hindu, Sikh.