Languages Flashcards
intro ( for background?)
Language = extremely important in the development of any state or national culture
Acceptance of a single language as national language = uniformity and cultural identity by binding people tgt
Common language increases understanding
National lang of Pak = urdu
Relatively new language
Over time Muslims in the subcontinent have spoken a wide variety of languages
history
Language that had greatest impact = persian
Persian = official language during Mughal period in court of Delhi
Most books were written in the language and it was adopted by poets and scholars i.e Amir Khasrau
Shah Waliullah translated Quran Arabic → persian
The language was used for day-to-day communication and became so widespread that even Hindus began to use it
urdu
When state of Pak was set up, Urdu was chosen to be the national language and the symbol of unity between the different regions of the new country
Urdu was developed by combining many other languages
Widely used in Mughal period but dates back as far as the era of the Sultans of Delhi
First originated in North-West India when Persian, Turkish and Punjabi interacted with the local dialects of Delhi and surrounding areas
End of 13th century: Muslim armies were using a common language to help people from diff areas
The Language went through many stages of development
As Muslims travel abroad they spread their language further
Urdu developed a rich literary background which helped promote its use
Poetry in urdu = significantly prevalent for centuries
Amir Khasrau (1253-1325): prominent position in its early development
Language received a boost when Emperor Muhammad Shah and Bahadur Shah Zafar took an interest in promoting it
Famous poets of this period: Mir, Sauda, Dard and Ghalib
Aligarh Muslim University became a centre for the study of Urdu and produced talented writers i.e Hasrat Mohani, Majaz & Jazbi
20th century: Dr. Allama Iqbal, Dr. Nazir Ahmad, Muhammad Hussain Azad, Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali and Allama Shibli greatly enriched Urdu prose and poetry, producing numerous literary masterpieces
Shah Abdul Qadir: translated Quran Arabic → Urdu
Many religious book written in Urdu which helped develop unity among the Muslims
20th century: Urdu played a major part in the struggle for independence. Muslim League (1906) aimed to defend rights of Muslims as well as protect Urdu language
The British made English the official language for the administration but educational institutions i.e Fort William college took an interest in the language and promoted it.
However, after 1857 British began seeking support of Hindu’s in governing India and lost interest in helping urdu to develop.
Urdu = main language of the Muslim dominated provinces in the North-west of the subcontinent
1867: Hindu’s began campaigning to establish Hindi as leading language
Muslims saw this as an attack to their rights and strongly resisted Hindu demands
Sir-Syed Ahmed Khan established society too support urdu
Hindu & Muslim relations suffered during this ‘Urdu-Hindi controversy’
Urdu = not supported by non-muslims as well as some muslims
(Bengal formed majority of Paks population till 1971)
In Bengal, widespread resentment at bengali not being made national language
1948: protests in Dhaka → arrests
1952: tear gas used to disperse students protesting against urdu
Language issue was an important part of the controversy which led to war in 1971 and eventual establishment of bangladesh
Urdu accepted as state language but Punjabi more widely spoken
Urdu as a national language
quaid -e-azam keen to promote urdu as he saw it ads an important unifying force
Link language for all provinces to provide for cultural and educational needs of the people
Steps taken to foster growth of urdu:
Medium of instruction in many educational institutions in Pak
Dictionary of office terms in urdu published and steps taken to move away from english as language of administration
Urdu = medium for radio and television programs
sindhi
Older language compared to urdu
Spoked in province of Sindh
Is spoken in the same form today as it was in 12th century
Was written in ‘Marwai’ and ‘Arz Nigari’ ways of writing before arrival of the Muslims
When arabs settled in Sindh, their culture and literature had major impact on Sindhi
Many arab words absorbed into the language
When Muslims settled in Sindh in 8th century, they found that 2 languages were being spoken: arabic by administration, Sindhi by most of the people.
This remained the case until subcontinent fell under the influence of Turkish tribes who brought their persian language with them
Sindhi greatly influenced by arabic and persian languages
Famous sindhi poets and writers: Makhdum Nuh and Qazi Gazam of Thatta
Sindhi literature of high quality during somroo period (1050-1300)
Poetry of Sachal sarmast and Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai is particularly famous
Growth of language further aided by journals which began to appear in 19th century i.e Ta’alim Alkhashaf-o-Tauheed
Steps taken to promote Sindhi:
1948: Sindhi literary board which printed many books and magazines in Sindhi. Imp Sindhi authors = Pir Ali Muhammad Rashdi, Faqir Nai Bux & G. Allana
Several imp books written on Sindhi folk literature
1954: bazm-e-talib-ul-muala set up to promote Sindhi literature
Sarmast academy established in memory of sachal sarmast
Sindhiology department established at Sindh university jamshoro
punjabi
Spoken in Punjab
Also spoken in other areas i.e Azad Kashmir and KPK
An easily understood language
Has been given various diff names throughout history i.e ‘Masoodi’ “Alhindi” and ‘Hindko’
1080: Hafiz Barkhudar = first person who used the term ‘Punjabi’ to describe the language
Long history
Was originally written in ‘Gurmukhi script’ but during latter years of the Mughals, Arabic script was used
Influenced by many other language i.e Persian, Arabic, Hindi, Turkish and English
In western Punjab, language is also influenced by Sindhi and Pashto
Early Punjabi literature consists of folk tales
Heer-Ranjha, sassi-punnu & Sohni-Mahiwal = widely known tales
Long tradition of mystic literature extending from 12th century
Sufi poets i.e Baba Farid Ganjshakar, Sultan Bahu wrote famous works in Punjabi
Bulhe Shah composed stirring mystical lores and melodious kafis which are commonly sung to this day
Beginning of 20th century: novels, short stories & dramas in Punjabi
Century progressed = books on a wide variety of subjects ie law, medicine, history and philosophy
Punjabi poetry came closer to the contemporary scene and new mediums like ghazal and nazm, including blank-verse came into vogue
New literary endeavours = versified translation of the Holy Quran rendered by Muhammad Ali Faiq
Ustad daman, sharif Kunjahi, ahmad rahi and Munir Niazi = major exponents of a new wave of Punjabi writing and along with their man young followers seem to be moving towards a quick change in traditional patterns of Punjabi literature, both in content and form
Punjabi literature now taught up to MA level at university of Punjab
balochi
Spoken in Balochistan
Two main kind of Balochi: ‘sulemanki’ and ‘mekrani’
The language was brought into Balochistan by tribes migrating from North-west Iran. they were nomadic people who rarely settled in one place for long periods of time
Little development in Balochi poetry and prose
Early Balochi poetry abounds in folk songs
Jam darang = imp balochi poet
First time Balochi language became known outside the region was in 1830 when a British traveller, W. Leech, reported in the Journal of Asiatic society about the existence of the language
Before partition, Balochi literature was beginning to decline
Few books/magazines were published in the language and even the Balochistan gazetteer was published in English
After partition, steps were taken to promote Balochi
Radio Pakistan Karachi began to broadcast balochi
Balochi literary association was set up and now weekly and monthly magazines are published in the language
Quetta television station broadcasts in Balochi
Modern Balochi literature has shown progress
Poets = Atta shad & Ishaq Shamin
Writers = Gul Khan Nazir & Azad Jamal din working to promote the language
Pashto
Spoken by ppl of KPK and in northern areas of balochistan
Heavily influenced by other languages i.e persian, arabic & greek
History of Pashto divided into 3 periods:
First period: 2nd-13th century
First pashto poet of this period: Amir Khan Pehivan
Most popular: Bayazid Ansari
Popular work: Khair-ul-Bian, first book on sufism in Pashto literature
Second period: begins w Mughal invasions of India in the early 13th century and lasted for about 100 years
Quality of Pashto prose at its peak during this period
Pashto poetry reflected growth of nationalism and pashto literature played an important part in asserting pashto freedom
Greatest scholar of this period: Hazrat Mian Umar
Other famous literary personalities: Saadat Ali Khan, Amir Muhammad Ansari
Third period: extends to the establishment of British rule
Golden period for pashto literature as so much high quality writing was produced
Famous writers = Akhund Dardeeza & Khushal Khan Khttak, as well as Sufi poet Rehman Baba
Pashto played an important role in creating opposition toBritish rule and movement for independence
Sahibzada Abdul Qayum worked tirelessly to increase political awareness of people living in North western frontier province & his work was the driving force behind setting up Islamia college in Peshawar
The study in pashto helped foster unity and the college became centre of the freedom movement in NWFP (now KPK)
Within 3 years of Independence: Peshawar university established
An academy for promotion of Pashto literature set up in 1954
Academy initially headed by Maulana Abdul Qadir and prepared a widely accepted Pashto dictionary
Post graduate classes in Pashto literature have been established at university level in KPK since that time
