Alternate Names: Arniya, Chitrali, Chitrari, Citrali, Kashkari, Khawar, Patu, Qashqari
Dialects: East Khowar, North Khowar, South Khowar, Swat Khowar. Northern dialect considered more pure. Related to Kalasha , but different. Lexical similarity: 86%–98% among dialects.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 223,000 in Pakistan (1992). Population total all countries: 242,200.
Language Use: The most important language of Chitral. Also use Burushaski [bsk] in the Gilgit District. Also use English [eng] among the educated. Also use Shina [scl] in Gilgit District. Urdu [urd] used among the educated, and in schools. Also use Kalami [gwc]. Used as L2 by Burushaski [bsk], Kalasha [kls], Palula [phl], Yidgha [ydg].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 15%–20% men, 1% women. Urdu used in schools. Newspapers. Radio programs.
Typology: SOV.
Writing System: Arabic
Nation of Origin: Pakistan
Other Comments: Muslim (Sunni), Muslim (Ismaili).