Handwritten notes on Lamkang language and historical comparisons.

This is a video recording of a conversation between Nazneen Shaikh — a semi-speaker of the Azamgarhi language — and Safwan Shaikh, a native Azamgarhi speaking child. Safwan is practicing writing the Arabic alphabet on a wooden writing board as homework given by his Maulānā of the Madrasāh. Nazneen seems interested in this and keenly observes his writing while making a video of him. She asks a few questions to Safwan and directs him. Safwan — still a beginner — struggles with writing and messes up while each time laughing at his own mistakes. Nazneen guides him through. Finally, the disconnection of the electricity supply puts an end to the video.

Photograph of Dr. Sadaf Munshi at the Forum for Languages Initiative (FLI), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Photograph of Dr. Sadaf Munshi with Prof. Khawaja Rehman (linguist) and two participants of linguistic planning workshop for native speakers held at the Forum For Languages Initiative (FLI), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Photograph of Dr. Sadaf Munshi with Zafar Iqbal, a Yasin Burushaski speaker.

This blessing, called Smul Kpnaak, is used by elders to mark significant life events for younger couples. This ritual blessing is to be used by an older person addressing younger people- Sumshot Khular shares the beautiful words here which translated mean: This is the feather for your good health, your long life, your well-being. May you be blessed with many daughters, with many sons, with many crops, with livestock, with wealth and riches. ‎‎May you be blessed with knowledge and understanding without end, and with overflowing riches. May you be blessed with abundant livestock. May your children be as numerous as the stars. May they be as numerous as the sands of the sea. ‎‎Even if misfortune, bad storms (of life), disease and hunger come (to you). With your left hand push them away, and with your right hand bring the blessings closer to you. ‎‎May it be so for your life, may it be so for your good health. ‎‎May your life be as long as the banyan tree. May Heaven grant you strength and happiness.