In Pakistan, the term "Swati" is used to refer to two distinct linguistic forms: a dialect of the Pashto language and a dialect of the Gujari language, both spoken primarily in the Swat region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.
The ambiguity of the term "Swati language" is acknowledged, as it serves as a descriptor for different linguistic varieties within the same geographical area.
Understanding the Interpretations of "Swati"
The designation "Swati" is associated with two different language families, highlighting the linguistic diversity of the Swat Valley.
1. Swati as a Pashto Dialect
- Parent Language: Pashto
- Classification: This "Swati" refers to a specific regional variant or dialect of the Pashto language. Pashto is an Eastern Iranian language of the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European family.
- Geographic Location: It is predominantly spoken in the Swat region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan.
- Characteristics: As a Pashto dialect, it shares many core linguistic features, vocabulary, and grammatical structures with other Pashto dialects but possesses unique phonetic and lexical characteristics specific to the Swat Valley.
2. Swati as a Gujari Dialect
- Parent Language: Gujari
- Classification: This "Swati" refers to a regional variant or dialect of the Gujari language. Gujari (also known as Gojri) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities.
- Geographic Location: Similar to the Pashto dialect, this Gujari dialect is also spoken in the Swat region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan.
- Characteristics: As a Gujari dialect, it maintains features common to the broader Gujari language, an Indo-Aryan language, but likely incorporates local influences from other languages spoken in the Swat Valley, including Pashto.
Summary of "Swati" Linguistic Forms in Pakistan
To clarify the dual interpretation, the following table summarizes the two linguistic entities commonly referred to as "Swati" in Pakistan:
| Term | Parent Language | Linguistic Family | Primary Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swati | Pashto | Indo-Iranian | Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan | A regional dialect of Pashto |
| Swati | Gujari | Indo-Aryan | Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan | A regional dialect of Gujari |
Due to these distinct classifications, the term "Swati language" often requires disambiguation to specify whether a Pashto or a Gujari dialect is being referenced.
