Sindhi language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sindhi |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| سنڌي, सिन्धी, Sindhī | ||||
| Native to | Pakistan, India. Also Hong Kong, Oman, Philippines, Singapore, UAE, UK, USA | |||
| Region | South Asia | |||
| Native speakers | 54.3 million (date missing) | |||
| Language family |
Indo-European
|
|||
| Writing system | Arabic, Devanagari | |||
| Official status | ||||
| Official language in |  Sindh, Pakistan India |
|||
| Regulated by | Sindhi Language Authority (Pakistan) | |||
|
|
||||
Sindhi (سنڌي in Arabic script, सिन्धी in Devanagari script) is a language spoken mainly in the Sindh region of South Asia. Sindh is a large province in Pakistan. Sindhi is also spoken by many people in India.
About 41 million people speak Sindhi in Pakistan. Another 12 million people speak it in India. This makes it a language spoken by over 50 million people around the world!
Sindhi belongs to a group of languages called Indo-Aryan languages. These languages are part of the larger Indo-European language family. Many languages in India and Pakistan, and even some in Europe, come from this same ancient family.
Contents
Where Sindhi Is Spoken
Sindhi is the official language of the Sindh province in Pakistan. It is also one of the 22 official languages of India. This means it is recognized by the Indian government.
Besides Pakistan and India, you can find Sindhi speakers in other countries too. Many Sindhi people have moved to places like the UK, the USA, Canada, and countries in the Middle East. They take their language and culture with them.
Writing Sindhi
Sindhi is written using two main scripts. A script is like an alphabet or a set of characters used for writing.
Arabic Script for Sindhi
In Pakistan, Sindhi is mostly written using a special version of the Arabic alphabet. This script has some extra letters to make sounds that are unique to Sindhi. It is written from right to left, just like Arabic.
Devanagari Script for Sindhi
In India, some Sindhi speakers use the Devanagari script. This is the same script used for writing Hindi and Marathi languages. Devanagari is written from left to right.
History of Sindhi Language
The Sindhi language has a very long history. It developed over many centuries in the Sindh region. The region has been a crossroads for different cultures and empires.
Sindhi has been influenced by many other languages. These include Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic. This mix of influences has made Sindhi a rich and unique language.
Ancient Roots of Sindhi
Sindhi comes from ancient Indo-Aryan languages. These languages were spoken by people who lived in the Indus Valley thousands of years ago. The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the world's earliest great civilizations.
Over time, the language changed and grew. It adapted to the different groups of people who lived in or passed through Sindh.
Sindhi Culture and Literature
Sindhi is not just a language; it is also a big part of the Sindhi people's culture. Many famous poets and writers have created beautiful works in Sindhi.
Famous Sindhi Poets
One of the most famous Sindhi poets is Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. He lived in the 18th century. His poetry is very spiritual and often talks about love, nature, and wisdom. His collection of poems is called the Shah Jo Risalo. It is considered a masterpiece of Sindhi literature.
Modern Sindhi Literature
Today, many new books, poems, and stories are still being written in Sindhi. There are also Sindhi newspapers, TV channels, and radio stations. These help keep the language alive and strong for younger generations.
Learning Sindhi
Learning Sindhi can be a fun way to connect with a rich culture. It can also help you understand more about the history of South Asia.
The Sindhi Language Authority in Pakistan works to promote and develop the language. They help create books and learning materials for people who want to learn Sindhi.
Images for kids
-
Cover of a book containing the epic Dodo Chanesar written in Hatvanki Sindhi or Khudabadi script
-
Farsi (perso-Arabic) or Shikarpuri Sindhi.
See also
