Ashkun
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A language of Afghanistan
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Ashkund, Ashkuni, Ashkunu viri, Wamais, Wamayi
Population
40,000 (2011), increasing. 4,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 40,000.
Location
Nuristan province: Wama district, Pech valley; Duab and Nurgaram districts, east side of lower Alingar valley; Bajagal, Kolatan, Malil wa Mushfa, and Titin valleys; Kunar province: Chapa Dara district.
Language Maps
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Dialects
Ashuruviri (Kolata, Titin Bajaygul), Gramsukraviri, Suruviri (Wamai). Not intelligible with the other Nuristani languages.
Language Use
All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Northern Pashto [pbu].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%.
Language Resources
Writing
Unwritten [Qaax].
Spoken in the central and western Nuristan valleys, which also divide divergent dialects. Muslim.