Pahari languages facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pahari |
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|---|---|
| पहाड़ी | |
| Geographic distribution: |
 India (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, West Bengal),  Nepal,  Pakistan (Azad Kashmir),  China (Tibet) |
| Linguistic classification: | Indo-European
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| Subdivisions: |
Eastern (Nepali)
Central (Garhwali, Kumaoni)
Western Dogri–Kangri
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Pahari (or Pahaari) is a name for many different ways of speaking, called dialects. These dialects are used across the Himalayan mountains. They are spoken in several countries, not just one.
The word 'Pahari' comes from 'pahar', which means mountain. So, 'Pahari' is like an adjective in languages such as Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi. It means 'of the mountain'. This means 'Pahari' refers to the languages spoken by people who live in the mountains.
What are Pahari Languages?
The Himalayas stretch across countries like Pakistan, India, and Nepal. In all these places, the word for mountain is 'Pahar'. This is because Urdu, Nepali, Hindi, and Punjabi are all related languages. They belong to a big group called the Indo-Aryan family. This family is part of an even bigger group, the Indo-European language family.
The Pahari languages are also part of this large Indo-Aryan group. Imagine a family tree for languages!
Why are there so many dialects?
It is very hard to travel in mountainous areas. High peaks and deep valleys make it difficult for people to move around. Because of this, groups of people living close to each other might speak very differently. Their dialects can be quite unique.
This is why 'Pahari' is not just one language. It is a name for many different dialects spoken in the mountain regions.
Images for kids
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Major Indo-Aryan languages of South Asia; Northern Aryan languages are in shades of brown
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Nepali alphabets, transliteration and pronunciation
