Burushaski

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A language of Pakistan

ISO 639-3
bsk
Alternate Names
Biltum, Brushaski, Burucaki, Burucaski, Burushaki, Burushki, Khajuna, Kunjut
Population

87,000 in Pakistan (2000), increasing.

Location

North Gilgit district areas, Hunza-Nagar and Yasin areas; scattered in Gilgit, Kashmir, and various cities. Also in India.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Language isolate
Dialects

Hunza, Nagar (Nagir), Yasin (Werchikwar). Yasin is geographically separated from other dialects. Lexical similarity: 91%–94% between Nagar and Hunza dialects, 67%–72% between Yasin and Hunza, 66%–71% between Yasin and Nagar.

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Vigorous, but acquiring Urdu [urd] borrowings. Positive attitudes. Yasin speakers also use Khowar [khw], women also use Urdu [urd].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 20% in Hunza, less in Nagar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Burushaski
Writing
Arabic script, Nastaliq style, no longer in use, plans for future development using this script. Arabic script, Naskh style. Latin script.
Other Comments

Muslim (Shi’a), Muslim (Sunni).