Alternate Names: Shugnan-Rushan
Dialects: Bartangi (Bartang), Khufi (Chuf, Khuf), Oroshor (Roshorvi), Rushani (Oroshani, Roshani, Rushan), Shughni (Khugni, Shighni, Shugan, Shugnan). Khufi and Bartangi dialects may be separate languages. Oroshani may be separate from Rushani. Not intelligible of Sarikoli , (called, Tajiki, in China).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 40,000 in Tajikistan (1975 SIL). 20,000 Shugan, 1,500–2,000 Oroshor, 15,000 Rushan. Population total all countries: 80,000. Ethnic population: 73,800 (1990 A. Kibrik). Includes 50,000 Shugni, 2,000 Oroshor, 18,000 Rushan, 800 Khufi, 3,000 Bartang.
Language Use: Home. All ages. Positive attitudes. Tajiki [tgk] used as literary language.
Language Development: Poetry. Dictionary. Bible portions: 2001.
Writing System: Arabic, Cyrillic, Latin
Nation of Origin: Tajikistan
Other Comments: Traditional territory and way of life. Muslim (Ismaili).