Saving a language

Kashmiri, or Koshur, is one of the oldest spoken languages in the world. It originated in the Dardic region and is mainly spoken in Kashmir and Chenab valley, and in parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. However many scholars, including George Grierson, place Kashmiri in the Indo-European language family.

For centuries, Kashmiri had the distinction of being a medium of Sufi poetry and philosophical thought of such literary giants as Lal Ded and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din. Despite its richness and status as a classical language, Kashmiri has been in constant decline. Recently, UNESCO declared the language as “vulnerable” and in danger of extinction since its use has been restricted to certain domains. The lack of inter-generational transmission is one of the pivotal reasons for the decline of the language.

Kids are encouraged to speak in English or Urdu since these have taken on a hegemonic character over the native language. There’s been a marginalisation of Kashmiri as a wave of urbanisation has swept the Valley, where social and economic mobility is often associated with proficiency in Urdu or English.

Noam Chomsky, a foundational figure in modern linguistics, often emphasises the deep connection between language, thought, and culture. According to the American theoretical linguist, “A language is not just words. It’s a culture, a tradition, a unification of a community, a whole history that creates what a community is. It’s all embodied in a language.”

As the use of Koshur declines among the new generation of Kashmiris, many young students and content creators have turned to digital platforms to preserve the language.

Touqeer Ashraf, a science graduate from Kashmir University, made it his mission to promote the language after witnessing a decline in its use among students in Srinagar. In November 2021, he launched Keashur Praw, a digital platform aimed at promoting Kashmiri among youth and raising awareness about the need to preserve this dying language.

Touqeer says, “While many Kashmiris are using digital platforms to earn money, I am using it as a medium to raise awareness about our rich language and the need to preserve it — purely out of passion. Despite this, platforms like YouTube do not recognise Koshur and have not monetised my channel, which is a prerequisite for earning through digital media.”

Touqeer has received an overwhelming response, but believes the preservation of Koshur requires institutional intervention. “The government needs to conduct workshops involving various stakeholders and experts to devise strategies for promoting this language. It is essential for the University of Kashmir to collaborate with the government to initiate a multipronged approach for its preservation,” he says.

Another digital platform working to make learning Kashmiri accessible to GenZ is Yikvot (together), a digital space started by 22-year-old Seerat Hafiz as an online reading club. Here, original and translated Kashmiri works are read every week.

Studying ‘Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding’ at Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Seerat says she started the club just for the purpose of reading together, which is why the group is called Yikvot.

“I was young when I left Kashmir for better educational opportunities, and naturally I didn’t have enough exposure to Kashmiri, and the literature. I knew of nothing the language has to offer. I thought it was a problem specific to me; I realised much later that living in Kashmir wouldn’t have been any different. People don’t really read their own literature, mostly because there is no proper structure or system in place. That’s when I decided to look for Kashmiri books and began visiting Kashmiri departments and libraries which might house these. When I had a good rough sketch, I launched Yikvot, which meets every week to read original and translated Kashmiri works,” she says.

Seerat believes that digital spaces are an effective medium to engage youngsters to learn their mother tongue. “As GenZ, we understand how trends can make a thing work. There is a good audience for it, because Kashmiri literature comes off as unheard of to the youth today.”

Prof Shamshad Kralwari, a poet and translator who translated Fyodor Dostoevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment’ into Kashmiri, believes in a multifaceted approach that blends cultural stewardship, education, media and technology. Kralwari feels that widespread promotion of Kashmiri can be made possible through reels, podcasts and storytelling formats that resonate with youth.

— The writer teaches at Govt Degree College, Beerwah, J&K