KASHMIRI: a language of India

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: KSH

ISO 639-1: ks

ISO 639-2: kas

Population	4,391,000 in India including 4,370,000 Kashmiri, 21,000 Kishtwari (1997 IMA). 52.29% of the population of Jammu and Kashmir. Population total all countries 4,511,000.
Region	Jammu and Kashmir; Punjab; Uttar Pradesh; Delhi; Kashmir Valley. Also spoken in Pakistan, United Kingdom.
Alternate names	KESHUR, KASCHEMIRI, CASHMIRI, CASHMEEREE, KACMIRI
Dialects	BAKAWALI, BUNJWALI, STANDARD KASHMIRI, KISHTWARI (KASHTAWARI, KISTWALI, KASHTWARI, KATHIAWARI), MIRASKI, POGULI, RAMBANI, RIASI, SHAH-MANSURI, SIRAJI OF DODA, SIRAJI-KASHMIRI, ZAYOLI, ZIRAK-BOLI.
Classification	Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kashmiri.
Comments	Bilingualism in Urdu, English. Literature can be traced to the 1400s, and poetry is important. Not used in primary education. National language. Grammar. SVO. Literacy rate in second language: Men 36.29%, women 15.88%; rural 21.63%, urban 45.56% (1981 census). Another source: Kashmiri 5%, Urdu 5%. Persian-based script. Mountain slope, valleys. Agriculturalists: rice, wheat, maize; craftsmen (weaving, carpets, carving, furniture, papier mache). 6,000 feet. Muslim, Christian. Bible 1899, out of print.

Also spoken in:

Pakistan

Language name	KASHMIRI
Population	105,000 in Pakistan (1993).
Alternate names	KASCHEMIRI, KACMIRI, KESHURI, CASHMIRI, CASHMEEREE
Comments	Transitional dialects to Panjabi. Kashtawari dialect is standard, other dialects are influenced by Dogri. Attitude of people toward own language is poor. Institute of Kashmir Studies in Muzaffarabad does some language promotion. May need different script for Pakistan. Radio programs. Bible 1899, out of print. See main entry under India.