Today, the 8th of Jawza, which corresponds to May 29, is being celebrated as the “International Pashto Language Day” in Afghanistan, Pashtunkhwa, and various countries around the world. This day is observed to honor the importance of the Pashto language, its historical background, and its cultural identity, and every year it receives special attention from Pashtuns and admirers of the language.
According to international linguistic studies, Pashto is one of the living languages of the world, with millions of speakers. Based on information from the reputable global language source Ethnologue, Pashto is considered one of the major and stable languages in the world, and currently more than 70 million people speak it.
Pashto, which is one of the official and national languages of Afghanistan, has also gradually expanded its place in the field of technology. Over the past decades, the language entered the digital and computer world and later became part of well-known internet services, strengthening its digital presence even further.
Writers and cultural activists believe that Pashto is not only a means of communication, but also a representative of history, culture, national identity, and social values. They emphasize that, alongside the rapid changes of the modern world, the Pashto language should become richer and stronger in scientific, literary, and technological fields.
Linguists say that if a language is not preserved by its own speakers, expecting others to develop it is meaningless. Therefore, people are encouraged to give priority to Pashto in their daily writing, education, media, and even in naming their children.
Currently, the Pashto language is active across hundreds of websites, radio stations, television networks, and social media platforms. In addition, in recent years many books have been written in Pashto or translated into the language. However, for the further development of the language, there is still a strong need to strengthen cultural and academic institutions.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
