Three Kataviri, also called Kati language researchers, who will be carrying out a documentation project for their language attended a three day training last week. The purpose of the training was to enhance the capacity of the researchers in the use of computer and resolve computer related issues so that they could work smoothly in their language documentation endeavors. The researchers were also oriented to the software, to be used during the project. Earlier, the required software were installed in the laptops of researchers during the activity.

FLI has recently taken up the Kataviri language for documentation. Previously, two strengthening activities have been conducted for the language which, on one hand enabled the researchers to develop plan for strengthening of their language and initiate how will their language be used for literature development on the other.

Given the interest of Kati community people in developing their language, FLI managed to start a one year project for documentation of the language which will enable the researchers to develop literature in their language. The project will also gather some important material from the Kati culture which will be preserved for future.

Kataviri, a Noorsitani language in Pakistan is spoken in borders villages of Lower Chitral district in KP province. There are six villages, situated on the borders with Afghanistan which are inhabited by the Kati speakers. The community people have learned many languages to communicate with people from other communities of the area but maintained their own language by transferring it to their next generations.

FLI held its first intervention for preservation and promotion of Bateri language last week. Four people from the community participated in the six day activity. The main objective of the activity was to develop a plan for how to preserve and promote the language and also to discover the main vulnerabilities in terms of use of the language so the future events will be based on. It was found out that lack of documentation of the language was creating challenges for those from the community who wanted to work for their language.

FLI has planned to hold documentation activities for Bateri language and soon the next activity will be conducted so that the measures to document the Bateri language could be accelerated and the community people be empowered and enabled to carry out the work.

Bateri, a Dardic language is spoken in Batera, which is in the southern region of the Kohistan district along the east bank of the Indus River. Community people say that there are 20,000 people in the area who speak the language as their mother tongue.

There are people from the Bateri language who have been participating in the enabling events FLI has, time to time been organizing but, the recent event was the dedicated event and specific to document the Bateri language. It’s hoped that more activities will be carried out for its preservation and promotion.   

The Wakhi language community of Boroghil valley in Upper Chitral held a literary program, the first ever of its kind in the area. The event was attended by the young and senior poets, writers and singers of the Wakhi community. The event was followed by a musical night. More than 50 people from the community were present on the occasion. The program started with interviews of senior Wakhi poets who inspired young people to use their language for literary activities. These people talked especially about the evolution of Wakhi language and culture and shared their memories with youth. An informal poetry session ensued, providing opportunity to the young poets to express themselves in front of their parents, teachers and community elders. The event was concluded with a musical program which involved youth and elders alike. The participants appreciated FLI for holding the event and resolved to play their part for strengthening their language.

The Wakhi language is spoken in the sparsely populated upper portions of four of the northernmost valleys in Pakistan: Hunza (Gojal), Ishkoman, Yasin, and Boroghil. The latter is located in Upper Chitral District while the others are in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The community youth claim that there were 1500 people in Boroghil who speak Wakhi as their mother tongue. Wakhi in GB is a literary language but a lot of work needs to be done for the language in Chitral. The educated people of the community in Chitral show commitment to work for the language who approach FLI for assistance. FLI will continue to encourage the youth from the Wakhi community and more engagement activities will take place in future so that the language could be strengthened by involving the community.