Katë language

Kamkata-vari
Kati
Kâmkata-vari
Native to	Afghanistan, Pakistan
Region	Nuristan, Kunar, Chitral
Native speakers	150,000 (2011-2017)
Language family	Indo-European Indo-Iranian Nuristani Northern Kamkata-vari
Dialects	Kata-vari Kamviri Mumviri
Language codes
ISO 639-3	Either: bsh – Kati xvi – Kamviri
Glottolog	kati1241
ELP	Kati
Linguasphere	58-ACB-a

Kamkata-vari (Kâmkata-vari) is the largest Nuristani language. It contains the main dialects Kata-vari, Kamviri and Mumviri. Kata-vari and Kamviri are sometimes erroneously reckoned as two separate languages, but according to linguist Richard Strand they form one language.

The Kamkata-vari language is spoken by 40,000–60,000 people, from the Kata, Kom, Mumo, Kshto and some smaller Black-Robed tribes in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. There are dialectal differences of the Kamkata-vari speakers of Pakistan. The most used alternative names for the language are Kati or Bashgali.

Classification

It belongs to the Indo-European language family and is in the Nuristani group of the Indo-Iranian branch.

Dialects

There are four main dialects: Eastern Kata-vari, Western Kata-vari, Kamviri and Mumviri. The last two are sometimes erroneously defined as separate languages.

Status

Literacy rates are low: below 1% for people who have it as a first language and between 15% and 25% for people who have it as a second language. The Katavari dialect can be heard on radio in Afghanistan.

References

• Strand, Richard F. (2010). "Nurestâni Languages". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Online Edition. Archived from the original on 2016-11-06. Retrieved 2012-01-16.

External links

• Strand, Richard F. (1997). "Nuristan: Hidden Land of the Hindu-Kush". Retrieved 2012-01-16.
• Strand, Richard F. (1997). "The kâtʹa, kʹom, mumʹo, kṣtʹo, biniʹo, ǰâmčʹo, and ǰâšʹa". Retrieved 2012-01-16.
• Strand, Richard F. (1999). "Kâmvʹiri Lexicon". Retrieved 2012-01-16.
• Strand, Richard F. (1997). "The Sound System of Kâmvʹiri". Retrieved 2012-01-16.
• Strand, Richard F. (2011). "Kâtʹa-vari Lexicon". Retrieved 2012-01-16.
• Strand, Richard F. (2011). "The Sound System of Kt'ivřâ·i vari". Retrieved 2012-01-16.