Countering Challenges of Globalisation to the Endangered Languages of North Pakistan
Zubair Torwali*

Over 25 indigenous languages are spoken by indigenous communities living in the mountainous terrain and valleys in northern Pakistan. Some of these languages are Bateri, Balti, Burushaski, Dameli, Khowar, Shina, Indus Kohistani, Torwali, Gawri, Palula, Kalasha, Mankiali, Gawar-bati, Gawro, Chilliso, Ushojo, Wakhi, and Yidgha. These languages have reached various levels of extinction; some more critically so than others.  There are a number of factors which slide these languages down the slope of sustainability, such as lack of recognition at the state level; lack of rigorous writing traditions;  poverty and social marginalisation of the communities that speak them; and cultural and economic globalisation in the region. This complex situation accelerates the attrition of these languages and of the cultures associated with them. 

While there is no support from the state to preserve and promote these languages, there are, however, a number of endeavors carried out by communities and a few civil society and research organisations for their documentation, preservation and promotion.  These initiatives include various means such as producing printed works, using digital media and information technology in order to enable the languages to survive the onslaught unleashed upon them by globalisation, apathy of concerned governments and fast growing religious radicalism in the areas. 

This paper will offer an overview of the levels of endangerment of each language; the threats and challenges each faces; and finally, the privately undertaken ventures by communities and their organisations in order to reverse the process and make these languages sustainable and viable. 

* The abstract is based on the author’s previously published works and talk, including Torwali, Z. 2017, ‘Challenges to the Linguistic Diversity of North Pakistan’, Criterion Quarterly, vol. 12, no. 1, March<http://www.criterion-quarterly.com/challenges-linguistic-diversity-north-pakistan/>; AKRSP 2017, ‘Negotiating Change for Sustainability: Horizons of CPEC in Gilgit-Baltistan,  6 and 7 August, Passu Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan’, Conference Report, Aga Khan Rural Support Program, <http://akrsp.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/_CPEC%20Conference%20report.pdf>.

* Mr Zubair Torwali is Executive Director, Idara Baraye Taleem-o-Taraqi (IBT), Bahrain Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. He has authored many papers and book chapters on language and education in English and Torwali. His book ‘Muffled Voices’ provides insight into Pakistan’s social, educational, cultural, and political issues. He has also been managing and editing an online magazine ‘WeMountains’ (https://wemountains.com/) where local and international researchers contribute papers and articles in English and in Urdu on issues pertaining to the mountain communities of northern Pakistan.