Dialects: Dukslinu (Hindu Sindhi), Kachchi, Katiawari Kachi, Lari, Lasi, Macharia, Shikari Bhil, Sindhi Musalmani (Muslim Sindhi), Thareli, Vicholo (Central Sindhi, Viccholi, Vicholi). Some southern Bhil groups speak dialects of Sindhi. 100,000 in rural Sindh originally from Kathiawar Peninsula in India are Muslims, exhibit widespread bilingualism in Sindh, and are almost completely assimilated with the Sindhi people.
Status Notes: De facto provincial language in Sindh.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 18,500,000 in Pakistan (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Population total all countries: 20,270,500.
Language Use: Used as L2 by Aer [aeq], Bagri [bgq], Dhatki [mki], Ghera [ghr], Goaria [gig], Gurgula [ggg], Jandavra [jnd], Loarki [lrk], Marwari [mve], Memoni [mby], Od [odk], Parkari Koli [kvx], Sansi [ssi], Sindhi Bhil [sbn], Vaghri [vgr].
Language Development: Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1954.
Writing System: Arabic (Nastaliq), Devanagari, Gurmukhi
Nation of Origin: Pakistan
Other Comments: Shikari (hunter) Bhils are a nomadic group of 2,000 to 3,000 who live in south Sindh Province, centered around Badin, and have adopted the Sindhi language. Muslim, Hindu.