Shina

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A language of Pakistan

ISO 639-3
scl
Alternate Names
Brokpa, Shinaki, Sina
Autonym
شینا‎ (Shina)
User Population

688,000 in Pakistan (2018), increasing. Total users in all countries: 720,200.

Location

Azad Kashmir province: east Neelum district; Gilgit Baltistan province: Baltistan, Diamer, and Gilgit districts, Chilas area, Darel, Gilgit, Haramosh, lower Hunza Valley, Punial, and Tangir valleys, Astor, Kharmang, Kachura, Satpara, and other small valleys, scattered villages in Ishkoman and Yasin valleys; Khyber Pakhtunkwa province: east Kohistan district, Harban and Sazin.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Shina
Dialects

Gilgiti (Bagrote, Bunji, Gilgit, Haramosh, Hunza-Nagar, Punial, Rondu), Astori (Astor, Dras, Gurezi, Kharmangi, Satpara), Chilasi Kohistani (Chilas, Darel, Harban, Sazin, Tangir). Gilgit functions as the language standard. Shina is the primary language in Gilgit and Diamer districts. Lexical similarity: 79%–99% within Gilgiti (Northern) dialect subgroup, 81%–96% with Astori (Eastern) subgroup, 84%–98% with Chilas (Diamer) subgroup.

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Urdu [urd]. Used as L2 by Balti [bft], Domaaki [dmk], Khowar [khw].

Language Development

Literature. Grammar. Bible portions: 1929.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Shina
Writing

Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab]. Arabic script, Nastaliq variant [Aran], primary usage.

Other Comments

Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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