Culture of Afghanistan - Languages

Languages

Pashto and Dari are both the official languages of Afghanistan, although Dari serves as the lingua franca for the majority. People in the northern and central areas of the country usually speak Persian, while those living in the south and east speak Pashto. Afghans living in the western regions of Afghanistan speak both Persian and Pashto. Most citizens are fluent in both languages, especially those living in major cities where the population is multi-ethnic. Several other languages are spoken in their own regions, which includes Uzbek, Turkmen and Balochi. Large percent of Afghans, particularly the Pashtuns and Hazaras, learned Urdu while living in Pakistan since 1979 and due to having connection to that country. There are some Afghans who can speak Russian, mainly among the northern Tajik, Uzbek and Turkmen groups. English is understood by small percent of the population although it is growing. A more smaller number may understand other Western languages such as German and French.