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Languages of Afghanistan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Afghanistan is a linguistically diverse nation, with upwards of 40 distinct languages.[3][Note 1] However, Pashto and Dari are two of the most prominent languages in the country, and have shared official status under various governments of Afghanistan. Pahsto, as a shared language between multiple ethnic groups in the country, has served as a historical lingua franca between different linguistic groups in the region and is the most widely understood language in the country. Dari is also widely spoken in the region; but the language does not have a diverse multi-ethnic population like Pashto. Pashto and Dari are Indo-European languages from the Iranian languages sub-family. Other regional languages, such as Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi and Nuristani, are spoken by minority groups across the country.
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Minor languages include: Ashkunu, Kamkata-viri, Vasi-vari, Tregami and Kalasha-ala, Pamiri (Shughni, Munji, Ishkashimi and Wakhi), Brahui, Arabic, and Pashai and Kyrgyz, and Punjabi.[4] Linguist Harald Haarmann believes that Afghanistan is home to more than 40 minor languages,[3] with around 200 different dialects.