Munji | Ethnologue

A language of Afghanistan

ISO 639: mnj
Alternate Names: Munjani, Munjigi, Munjiwar
Autonym: منجانی‎ (Munjani)
Population: 5,300 (2008 D. Beyer and S. Beck). Very few monolinguals. Ethnic population: 5,300.
Location:: Badakhshan province: Kuran wa Munjan district, Mamalgha and Munjan valleys.
Language Status: 5 (Developing). Statutory language of provincial identity in Badakhshan Province (2004, Constitution, Article 16(2)).
Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir
Dialects: Northern Munji, Southern Munji. Northern Munji and Southern Munji are mutually intelligible. The differences are found mostly in regular sound changes and some lexical items. Lexical similarity: 68% among dialects, 56%–80% with Yadgha [ydg] in Pakistan.
Language Use: Speakers view it as their secret language, and they perceive it as an advantage to have a language that is not commonly understood by outsiders. Home, community, at school. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Dari [prs], especially adults (nearly all).
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Literature. Dictionary.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Munji
Writing: Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab], in development. Arabic script, Nastaliq variant [Aran], used in handwriting and for book titles.
Other Comments: Little contact with Yadgha [ydg]. Muslim.

Location: Badakhshan province: Kuran wa Munjan district, Mamalgha and Munjan valleys.