CHITRAL: The linguists and writers have expressed concern over the impending danger of a number of languages spoken in different valleys of Chitral becoming extinct as they are gradually mingling into Khowar, the major language here.

During a meeting attended by writers and poets of 12 languages of Chitral held here on Monday under the auspices of Frontier Languages Initiative (FLI), an Islamabad-based organisation, the speakers said during the past quarter-century, more than three languages had drifted to the brink of extinction.

They said that Chitral was the land of rich diversity of languages as out of the 28 languages spoken in the province Chitral had a share of 12 despite its very thin population, which recently crossed the half-a-million mark.

They said the extermination of the primitive languages of Chitral meant the loss of cultural traits associated with their speakers, and the most concerning aspect was that the decaying languages were not in written form.

The writers and poets appreciated the efforts of FLI for salvaging some of the endangered languages by taking special initiatives, including steps to eventually put them in written form.

They said basics of some languages, including Palula, Gawarbati, Kataweri, Yidgha, Dameli and Wakhi, had been transformed into written form by their speakers.

Those who spoke on the occasion included FLI director Fakhruddin Akhunzada, Zahoorul Haq Danish, Naqeebullah Razi, Mulla Adina Shah, Asmatullah Dameli, Allauddin Haideri, Iqbaluddin Sahar, Ijaz Ahmed, Prof Hissamuddin and others.

A book on languages of Chitral in Urdu titled ‘Chitralkizubanen’ written by Fakhruddin Akhunzada was launched at another ceremony held in the town hall.

The speakers described the book as an invaluable contribution for the preservation of the languages in Chitral.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2024