Afghanistan

Languages

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: 30,089,210 (as L1: 10,089,210; 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 (Āzaragi) 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. Ethnic population: 3,800 (2022 Joshua Project). 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 Autonym: پَشَي‎ (Pashai) 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: 19,733,930 (as L1: 16,253,930; 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. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Katar Gambir, Trigami Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Nuristani

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: No known L1 speakers in Afghanistan. Ethnic population: 3,500 (2022 Joshua Project). Status: 9 (Dormant). 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: 3,933,100 (as L1: 3,393,100; 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