Analyzing The Factors Involvement in Declining Kalasha Language

Abstract

Language is vehicle of cultural transmission, a tool for communication, a symbol of self-identity and self-expression. So, no community would like to see their language die, but there are numerous factors that lead to this phenomenon and Kalasha language is one of such languages. Kalasha is an indigenous language spoken by the minority who reside in district Chitral. The aim of this study was to investigate the reasons of decline of Kalasha language. The sample was selected randomly from three valleys of Chitral, Bumburat, Birir and Rumbur. The study followed a mixed method approach, qualitative and quantitative methods. Through questionnaires and interviews data were collected and quantitative data were analyzed statistically through SPSS. The findings indicate that majority of the Kalasha speakers considered that some factors like tourism, marriage, conversion to other religion, travelling or immigration, and influence of mother tongue in kalasha valley are reasons decline of Kalasha language.