Tajikistan is a country located in Central Asia, bordered by Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. It is the smallest country in Central Asia and the only one that is a landlocked country. Tajikistan has a rich and diverse culture, reflected in the various languages spoken in the country. In this article, we will discuss the languages of Tajikistan.
The Official Language: Tajik
The official language of Tajikistan is Tajik, which is an East Iranian language that is similar to Persian. Tajik is spoken by around 85% of the population in the country, making it the most widely spoken language in Tajikistan. The language is written in the Cyrillic alphabet, which was introduced by the Soviet Union when it occupied the country. After the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Tajik government changed the alphabet to the Persian alphabet, but the majority of the population still uses the Cyrillic alphabet.
Other Languages Spoken in Tajikistan
In addition to Tajik, there are several other languages spoken in Tajikistan, including:
- Russian: Russian is a widely spoken language in Tajikistan, especially among the older generation who learned it during the Soviet era. It is estimated that around 25% of the population speaks Russian. The language is still used in government, business, and education, making it an important language in the country.
- Uzbek: Uzbek is a Turkic language spoken by around 8% of the population in Tajikistan. It is mainly spoken in the northern part of the country near the Uzbekistan border.
- Kyrgyz: Kyrgyz is another Turkic language that is spoken by around 1% of the population in Tajikistan. It is mainly spoken in the mountainous regions near the Kyrgyzstan border.
- Arabic: Arabic is a Semitic language that is spoken by a small number of people in Tajikistan, mainly among the Ismaili community.
- Tatar: Tatar is a Turkic language that is spoken by a small number of people in Tajikistan, mainly among the Tatar community.
Conclusion
Tajikistan is a country with a rich and diverse culture, reflected in the various languages spoken in the country. The official language is Tajik, which is the most widely spoken language in the country. In addition to Tajik, several other languages are spoken in the country, including Russian, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Arabic, and Tatar. The different languages in Tajikistan reflect the country’s history and cultural heritage, making it an interesting place for language learners and linguists.
