Learn History of the Pashto Language
Connecting with a foreign audience is the biggest task for a country when they go in for peace missions. Even during the war, it is up to the military personnel to establish a good relationship with the natives. Without the support of the local population, they will not be able to succeed. In fact, they won’t be able to stay on that land for long without the support of the native leaders. However, winning the support of a local audience is not that easy, especially when you come as an invader. The cultural and linguistic divide can create many problems for both sides. But by finding local guides and linguistic experts, these problems can be tackled.
The Pashto Language:
The official language of Afghanistan and the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is spoken by 60 million people according to some estimates. In Pakistan, it is also spoken in some areas of Baluchistan. It has many names in different languages. In Persian, it is called Afghani, and in Hindustani, it is referred to as Pathani. Its speakers are called Pakhtuns or Pashtuns. The Pashtun diaspora speaks Pashto as their primary language everywhere in the world. There are two main dialects of Pashto, which are known as ‘soft’ and ‘hard.’ The latter is quite unique with its pronunciations and cannot be picked up by foreigners easily.
It is not an easy to learn language, especially for English speakers. This has been a problem for the US military in Afghanistan, which is why they have often had to rely on interpreters. However, there are plenty of natives who can speak English fluently, which is why finding interpreters is not a problem. The Pashto of today has been greatly influenced by other languages of the region. It has borrowed plenty of words from these vernaculars and is not considered pure by some of its speakers.
History of the Pashto Language:
Since its origin, Pashto has been the language of the Pashtuns. It was in 1936 that it was officially recognized in Afghanistan. Today, it has small communities in different countries like United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Tajikistan. The origin of both Pashto and its speakers is unknown, but that doesn’t mean linguists haven’t shared their ideas about it. Some scholars compare Pashtuns with the Pakhta tribes from 1700-1100 BC. A few linguists believe that the language itself originated from Avestan or a similar vernacular. But many experts disagree with this idea that any Iranian language could have originated from Avestan.
As for the history of the written language, some believed Pata Khazana, a manuscript, is one of the earliest works of modern Pashto. However, other experts disagree with this. This goes to show that there isn’t much consensus when it comes to the history of Pashto and its speakers. What we do know is the progress the vernacular has made throughout the years. Today, it contains plenty of Arabic and Persian words in its vocabulary. But many speakers of the language wish to purify it by getting rid of the loan words. Pashto poetry has been very popular among its speakers since the 16th century. Many Pashtun poets have gotten worldwide fame.
Certified Translation:
Anyone who wishes to visit Afghanistan will need to get their documents translated into Pashto. But this isn’t something you can ask an interpreter to do. They are trained to provide results in real-time and do not know how to handle documents. Translators, on the other hand, take their time to make sure that each document is translated accurately. Whenever official documents are in question, only certified translation is acceptable. It can only be carried out by qualified experts, and not someone who is bilingual but knows nothing about translation. An expert confident enough to give a signed statement with their translation is the one you should go to. Whether you are applying for a visa, immigration, or university admission, you cannot get accepted without accurate translations.
Where to Get Translation of Pashto?
Many people are not aware of Pashto’s importance in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is why when they will need its translation, they won’t know where to turn to. However, this isn’t a problem that cannot be solved. There are plenty of options available whenever someone is in need of linguistic assistance. But when stakes are high, it is better to avoid freelancers and only go to well-known agencies for help.
You can look for agencies on the internet or ask your friends and family who have traveled to different countries for suggestions. The agency that has native experts on its team will be the best option for you. You should compare the rates of agencies and check their certification on their websites before making your choice. Once you have found the right agency, you can send over your documents to them and let them know that you require certified translation. Pay the charges if you are satisfied with the rates and then wait for your project to get completed. If you are in a hurry, you can also ask for urgent assistance. Good agencies provide urgent services without additional charges.
Just because a vernacular is not spoken in first world countries does not mean it is any less important. Pashto has been around for centuries. Its importance is not going to decrease any time soon. The only way to connect with its speakers is with the help of qualified translators and interpreters.
