Notes on the Arabic dialect spoken in the Balkh region of Afghanistan

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Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Notes on the Arabic dialect spoken in the Balkh region of Afghanistan
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Original source:

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Author:

Abdul-Sattār Sīrat


Acta Orientalia:

(Founded in 1922 and published annually)

Full text available for: Notes on the Arabic dialect spoken in the Balkh region of Afghanistan

Year: 1973 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5174

Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

1) Introduction

The study of Arabic dialects has uncovered lesser-known communities beyond the traditional regions where Arabic is spoken, particularly in Central Asia and Afghanistan. The manuscript discussed in this article, authored by Abdul-Sattar Sirat and annotated by Ebbe Egede Knudsen, emerged from research into the Arabic dialect spoken in the Balkh region of Afghanistan. Despite limited exploration compared to dialects in Uzbekistan, this work provides valuable insights into the unique linguistic features and cultural aspects of the Arabic-speaking population in Afghanistan, particularly in certain villages around Balkh and Jozjan provinces.

2) Dialect Classification and Features

One of the key concepts in the study is the classification and comparison of the dialects of Central Asian Arabic, specifically those in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. The dialects share a close relationship, suggesting the existence of a clearly defined dialect group in Central Asia. Characteristics include: bilingualism in Arabic and Tajiki among adult males; variations in vowel pronunciation; the distinction between profound phonetic shifts such as the transformation of long vowels and diphthongs into monophthongs; and changes in phonemic representation, such as the loss of the emphatic articulation in consonants. Furthermore, the disappearance of the Arabic definite article and the preservation of the dual form illustrate the distinct evolution of this dialect subgroup under local influences.

3) Cultural Practices and Traditions

Cultural practices among the Arabic-speaking communities in the Balkh region are reflective of both their historical origins and the socio-cultural influences they have encountered over time. The villagers primarily practice Sunni Islam under the Hanafi school, yet they exhibit unique customs, particularly in mourning and marriage rituals. Special mourning attire is worn, and dirges sung in Arabic may continue for up to a year, while traditional Arabic marriage customs have largely been abandoned, with remnants persisting only in certain villages. These traditions highlight the community's connections to their linguistic heritage while also illustrating adaptations to their current environment and cultural interactions.

4) Conclusion

In conclusion, the manuscript on the Arabic dialect spoken in the Balkh region represents a significant addition to the understanding of Arabic linguistics and ethnography. Through its examination of dialectal features and cultural practices, it highlights the complexity and richness of the Arabic-speaking community in Afghanistan. Although there is still much to learn about their historical trajectories and how they have shaped their identity within a predominantly Persian and Uzbek linguistic landscape, the research lays a foundation for future studies that could yield further insights into the intricate tapestry of Arabic dialects in Central Asia.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What is the significance of the Arabic dialect in Balkh, Afghanistan?

The Arabic dialect in Balkh represents a unique linguistic community, related to Soviet Central Asian Arabic. Its discovery has contributed to the broader understanding of Arabic dialects and their variations in Central Asia.

How many Arabic-speaking communities exist in the Balkh and Jozjan regions?

There are several Arabic-speaking communities in Balkh and Jozjan, primarily in four villages with approximately 600 families. These villagers maintain their Arabic heritage and language amidst the influence of surrounding cultures.

What characteristics define the Arabic dialect spoken in the Balkh region?

The dialect has features closely related to Soviet Central Asian Arabic, including unique phonological aspects and influences from Dari-Tajiki and Uzbek, along with certain preserved elements from Literary Arabic.

What historical traditions are associated with the Arabic-speaking community?

Traditions suggest the Arabic-speaking population may have come from Syria during Tamerlane's campaigns. Some villagers also believe their origins trace back to Yemen, forming a rich cultural narrative of migration.

What are the cultural customs observed among the Arabic-speaking communities?

The communities engage in specific mourning customs, dress styles, and marriage traditions. Although many have faded, some practices, like Arabic dirges and specific clothing styles, reflect their Arabic heritage.

Glossary definitions and references:

Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Notes on the Arabic dialect spoken in the Balkh region of Afghanistan”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.

1) Dialect:
The Arabic dialect spoken in the Balkh region of Afghanistan is a subject of research, revealing similarities to Soviet Central Asian Arabic and reflecting both inherited and local influences.

2) Village:
Specific villages such as Khoshhal-Abad, Yakhdan, Sultan Aregh, and Hasan-Abad are Arabic-speaking communities in Afghanistan, contributing to the study of the region's dialect.

3) Afghanistan:
Arab-speaking minority communities exist in Afghanistan, particularly in the Balkh and Jozjan provinces, adding to the diversity of languages and cultures in the country.

4) Language:
The Arabic dialect in Afghanistan exhibits features inherited from Literary Arabic and influenced by Dari-Tajiki and Uzbek, indicating a rich linguistic history.

5) Dress:
The dress of the Arab-speaking women in the Balkh region includes long, traditional clothing, distinct from other ethnic groups in Afghanistan.

6) Linguistics:
[see source text or glossary: Linguistics]

7) Marriage:
Marriage customs among the Arabic-speaking villages in Sultan Aregh include traditional dances and songs, showcasing unique cultural expressions.

8) Cloth:
Women wear a special cloth as part of their traditional mourning dress, which can include up to seven meters of fabric.

9) River:
Arabic-speaking villagers in Afghanistan also live across the Oxus River in Soviet Uzbekistan, making transnational linguistic studies possible.

10) Woman (Women):
Women in these Arabic-speaking communities follow specific mourning traditions, such as wearing distinctive clothing and engaging in ritualistic behavior.

11) Hair:
Young ladies in these villages knot their hair with wool in the shape of a chain, often as part of their traditional dress.

12) City:
The nearest major cities include Mazar-i-Sharif and Shibirghan, which provide context to the Arabic-speaking villages in Afghanistan.

13) Realization (Realisation):
[see source text or glossary: Realization]

14) Literature:
[see source text or glossary: Literature]

15) Knowledge:
The manuscript reviewed for publication aims to enhance knowledge about the Arabic dialects spoken in Afghanistan, marking a significant contribution to Arabic Studies.

16) Existence:
Evidence of Arabic-speaking communities in Afghanistan was largely unknown in Western literature until the 1926 discoveries.

17) Sensation:
The discovery of Arabic-speaking communities in both Soviet Uzbekistan and Afghanistan was considered a scholarly sensation.

18) Garment:
[see source text or glossary: Garment]

19) Thomas:
[see source text or glossary: Thomas]

20) Cotton:
The regions where Arabic-speaking communities live in Afghanistan are important for cotton cultivation, among other agricultural activities.

21) Manga (Mamga):
[see source text or glossary: Manga]

22) Music:
Distinct music traditions are not developed, but narrations and traditional stories exist within the Arabic-speaking communities in Afghanistan.

23) Syria (Syrian):
A tradition among some northern inhabitants suggests that these Arabic-speaking communities migrated from Syria during Tamerlane's campaigns.

24) Death:
Mourning customs among the Arab communities include wearing special clothes and performing specific rituals, continuing for up to one year.

25) House:
The word 'bet' in the Arabic dialect of Balkh corresponds to 'house', reflecting a connection with Literary Arabic.

26) Shumni (Sumni, Sunni):
The Arabic-speaking population in the Balkh region follows the Hanafi School of Sunni Islam, reflecting their religious practices.

27) Night:
On marriage nights, traditional songs and dances are performed, representing the cultural heritage of the Arabic-speaking communities.

28) Jena:
'Jena' means 'we came' in the Arabic dialect spoken in the Balkh region, its use reflecting the linguistic structure of the community.

29) Tera:
[see source text or glossary: Tera]

30) Wool:
Wool is used by young women to knot their hair into chains as part of their traditional attire in the Arabic-speaking communities.

31) Pari:
[see source text or glossary: Pari]

32) Rice (Rce):
'Riz' for 'rice' corresponds to 'literary ruzz' or 'aruzz', showing the local realization of this food item in the dialect.

33) Bird:
The word 'tera' for 'bird' indicates the influence of Tajiki in the Arabic dialect, diverging from the Classical Arabic form.

34) Book:
[see source text or glossary: Book]

35) Dead:
[see source text or glossary: Dead]

36) Knot:
Knotting hair with wool into a chain form is a traditional practice among the young ladies in the Arabic-speaking villages.

37) Yata:
'Yada', meaning 'he went', exhibits continuity with Classical Arabic forms within the spoken dialect of the Balkh region.

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