The Writing and Numeral System of the Pashto Language: An In-Depth Examination

Introduction

Pashto, an Indo-Iranian language, is one of the two official languages of Afghanistan and is widely spoken in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. It is the native language of the Pashtun people and is classified under the Eastern Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family. A fascinating feature of Pashto is its complex and rich writing system, which uses a modified Arabic script. This article explores the intricacies of the writing and numeral systems of the Pashto language.

Writing System

Arabic Script with Additions

Pashto uses a modified form of the Arabic script known as the Pashto alphabet. Although it closely resembles the Arabic script, it has been adapted to accommodate the unique sounds in the Pashto phonetic system. It includes all 28 characters of the Arabic alphabet and has additional letters to represent Pashto-specific sounds, making it a 44-letter alphabet.

Diacritical Marks

Similar to Arabic, Pashto uses diacritical marks to indicate short vowels, doubling of consonants, and other nuanced sounds. However, these marks are usually omitted in everyday writing and are reserved for religious texts, poetry, or instructional material for learners of the language.

Cursive Script

Like Arabic, the Pashto script is cursive, which means that most of the letters within a word are connected. This connection is often mandatory, meaning that letters change form depending on their position in a word: initial, medial, final, or isolated.

Ligatures and Special Characters

The Pashto alphabet has a set of ligatures or combinations of letters that are treated as single units in writing. Some of these are common in Arabic, but others are unique to Pashto.

Latin Script

There is also a Latinized form of Pashto that is infrequently used but exists for transliteration, especially for digital media, online forums, and text messaging. This is not a standard form and is generally not used for official or educational purposes.

Numeral System

Arabic-Hindu Numerals

Pashto uses Arabic-Hindu numerals, which are identical to the numerals used in the West (0-9). These numerals are used in both Afghanistan and Pakistan and are understood universally.

Native Number System

Pashto also has a native system of numbering, which is primarily used in oral form. The native Pashto number system is similar to other Indo-Iranian languages and differs significantly from the Arabic numeral system.

Number Formatting

In Pashto, numbers are read from left to right, just like the Arabic numerals. The use of commas and decimal points follows the international system, where a comma separates thousands, and a decimal point is used for fractions.

Phonology and Orthography

Pashto has a variety of dialects, each with its unique phonological characteristics. The writing system is quite accommodating in representing these diverse sounds. It’s a phonetic language, which means that it’s written as it’s spoken. This feature makes it easier for language learners to pick up reading skills once they understand the alphabet.

Historical Context and Evolution

The Pashto script has undergone modifications over the years to adapt to the changing linguistic landscape. Earlier, different scripts like the Kharosthi had been used for writing Pashto. The transition to the Arabic script significantly impacted the preservation and standardization of the language, given the already widespread use of Arabic script in the Islamic world.

Educational and Cultural Significance

The script and numeral system have essential roles in the educational framework in regions where Pashto is spoken. The resurgence of Pashto literature and poetry is partially attributed to the standardization of its writing system. The written form allows the rich oral traditions of the Pashtun people to be documented for future generations.

Conclusion

The Pashto language’s writing and numeral systems are deeply embedded in its rich history and diverse culture. Using a modified Arabic script, Pashto accommodates its complex phonetic structure, enabling the language to maintain its uniqueness while aligning with a broader cultural and linguistic context. Its numeral system, employing Arabic-Hindu numerals, ensures that Pashto integrates seamlessly with global mathematical and computational systems. Both systems are not just tools for communication but also vessels for carrying the cultural and historical weight of the Pashtun people.