Literacy and the vernacular in Tajik Badakhshan: research in Rushani, Khufi, Bartangi, and Roshorvi

This paper presents the results of sociolinguistic research conducted in the summer of 2003 among the Rushani, Khufi, Bartangi, and Roshorvi people living in the northwestern part of Badakhshan in Tajikistan. The primary goal of the research was to determine whether a standard form of the Shughni-Rushani language should be developed and used in literacy. Four areas were examined to answer this question: domains of language use, proficiency in Tajik and Russian, the current situation for literacy in the vernacular, and attitudes towards the vernacular and vernacular literacy. Data were gathered through a series of questionnaires, including questionnaires on language use, attitudes, and proficiency.