Shekhani dialect
Shekhani (شیخانی) is a name for the Nuristani language spoken in Chitral District of northwestern Pakistan. Sheikhani is presumed to be a variety of Kata-vari language.[3] It is one of the many Languages of Chitral.[4] Around 12,000 people speak the language.[5][6] Currently there is a Latin script and Arabic script being developed for Shekhani.·[7] The Khowar name for it is ‘’Sheikhwar’’[8] which means “Language of the Sheikhs or converts”. It is currently endangered due to its isolation from other Nuristani languages and close proximity to Dardic and Iranian languages.[9]
| Shekhani | |
|---|---|
| شیخانی | |
 | |
| Native to | Pakistan |
| Region | (Valleys of Gobor, Shekhandeh, Rumbur, Badogar, and Urtsun), Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Ethnicity | Nuristanis |
Native speakers | 12,000 (2019)[1][2] |
Indo-European
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | bsh |
Usage
The name "Shekhani" is used for the Eastern Kata-vari dialect. But because Kamviri in Chitral is borrowing many words from Shekhani, it is also called Kamviri and is now very close.[10] Shekhani is known as "Sheikhwar" in Khowar while Kamviri is known as "Shekhaniwar".[11] Some sources site Shekhani as a term used for the Nuristani dialects and languages, but some just use it for the Eastern Kata-vari dialect.
Alphabet
Abdurrahman L. Rundi along with FLI created a alphabet and writing system in Nastaliq since 26 June, 2022.[12]
