Book on Chitral’s languages published
ISLAMABAD: A recently published Urdu book authored by Fakhruddin Akhunzada focuses on the 12 languages spoken in the Chitral, says a press release.
The book, Chitral’s Languages: Past, Present and Future, has been published by the Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI), an organization dedicated to preserving the indigenous languages of northern Pakistan for over two decades. Akhunzada, the executive director of FLI and a native of Chitral, presented the book at the Peshawar Press Club drawing the attendance of numerous language enthusiasts.
Among the speakers were Dr. Fazlur Rehman, Dr. Abasin Yousafzai, Dr. Ali Dinakhel, Ali Akbar Qazi, Khwaja Saeed Ahmad and Maherban Ilahi Hanafi. The event presided over by Mr. Sher Wali Khan Aseer, a renowned writer in Urdu and Khowar languages, also featured Dr. Abaseen Yousafzai as the chief guest.
Chitral valley boasts more than a dozen indigenous languages spoken by the population ranging from a few thousand to several hundred thousand. However, many of these languages are confronting the risk of extinction. The primary challenge faced by language researchers lies in the scarcity of authentic, research-based information.
The newly-launched book addresses this issue comprehensively, delving into the history, culture, status, and demographics of these languages and their speakers. Furthermore, it sheds light on the potential future of these languages based on their status. Each section of the book discusses in detail why some of these languages are not being passed on to younger generations within their respective communities.
The book provides insights into the introduction and geography of linguistic communities, the communication mediums among them, and updated information about development efforts aimed at strengthening these languages.
Attendees at the event commended Akhunzada’s endeavors, acknowledging not only his commitment to fortifying the region’s indigenous languages but also his provision of research-based data specifically on Chitral’s languages.
فخر الدین اخونزدہ کی یہ رسرچ بک طلبائے لسانیات اور شائقین زبان و ثقافت چترال کے لیے ایک خوبصورت تخفہ ہے