Page Type: languageKhowar | Ethnologue

KHW ISO 639-3

Khowar

کھووار‎ (Khowar) Autonym

A language of Pakistan

ISO 639
khw
Alternate Names
Arniya, Chitrali, Chitrari, Citrali, Kashkari, Khawar, Patu, Qashqari
Autonym
کھووار‎ (Khowar)
Population
351,000 in Pakistan (2018). Total users in all countries: 379,100.
Location:
Gilgit Baltistan province: Gilgit district, Ghizr valley, Shandur pass to Gupis; Khyber Pakhtunkwa province: Chitral and Peshawar districts; Ishkhoman and Yasin valleys, north Swat valley, Ushu; probably in Rawalpindi and other northern cities.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication).
Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Northwestern, Dardic, Chitral
Dialects
North Khowar, South Khowar, East Khowar, Swat Khowar. Northern dialect considered more pure. Related to Kalasha [kls] but different. Lexical similarity: 86%–98% among dialects.
Typology
SOV.
Language Use
The most important language of Chitral. Most also use Urdu [urd], especially among the educated, and in schools. Some also use Burushaski [bsk], especially in the Gilgit District. Some also use English [eng], especially among the educated. Some also use Gawri [gwc]. Some also use Northern Pashto [pbu]. Some also use Shina [scl], especially in the Gilgit District. Used as L2 by Burushaski [bsk], Dari [prs], Gawar-Bati [gwt], Kalasha [kls], Kamviri [xvi], Kati [bsh], Palula [phl], Wakhi [wbl], Yadgha [ydg].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 15%–20% men, 1% women. Urdu [urd] used in schools. Newspapers. Radio. Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Khowar
Writing
Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab]. Arabic script, Nastaliq variant [Aran], primary usage.
Other Comments
Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Khowar
User Population
8,900 in Afghanistan (2017 J. Leclerc).
Location
Badakhshan province.
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Afghanistan
Language Name
Khowar
User Population
19,200 in India (2000).
Location
Jammu and Kashmir state.
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Muslim.
View other languages of India

Map

Location: Gilgit Baltistan province: Gilgit district, Ghizr valley, Shandur pass to Gupis; Khyber Pakhtunkwa province: Chitral and Peshawar districts; Ishkhoman and Yasin valleys, north Swat valley, Ushu; probably in Rawalpindi and other northern cities.