Shughni is a Pamir language belonging to the Southeastern Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family. It is spoken by the Shughni people in the Shughnan region of Badakhshan Province in northern Afghanistan and in eastern Tajikistan. For generations, Shughni has been used to share stories, knowledge, and cultural traditions across the Pamir Mountains.
Today, Shughni is spoken by an estimated 50,000–75,000 people, but like many minority languages, it faces challenges from the growing use of dominant national languages. This course was created by Mirza Mohammad Borhan, a linguist, researcher, and educator from Shughnan District, Afghanistan. Through his research, publications, and language advocacy, he works to support the revitalization and maintenance of minority languages in Badakhshan and to help ensure that languages like Shughni continue to thrive for future generations.
About the Creator:
Mirza Mohammad Borhan is a linguist, researcher, and educator from Shughnan District in Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Badakhshan University and a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the English and Foreign Languages University in Hyderabad, India. His research focuses on language endangerment, minority language revitalization, and language education, with several published articles on the Shughni language. He is passionate about creating learning resources that help preserve and strengthen minority languages in Afghanistan.