The Linguist

@CIOL_Linguists AUTUMN 2024 The Linguist 21 FEATURES LANGUAGE DEMOGRAPHIC Map showing the proportion of the population speaking Urdu in areas of India and Pakistan Golden literary age The golden age of Urdu literature, spurred by the reign of Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, continued to flourish into the 18th and 19th centuries. Renowned poets like Mir Taqi Mir (1723-1810), hailed as the God of Urdu Poetry, emerged. His ghazals (a form of poetry unique to the Indian subcontinent) continue to be celebrated for their timeless beauty. Mirza Ghalib (1797-1869) left an indelible mark on Urdu poetry. His verses, a captivating blend of classical Persian and Indian styles, explore themes of love, loss and the complexities of human existence. The arrival of the British Raj in the 18th century marked a new chapter in Urdu's evolution. While English gained prominence in official spheres, Urdu became a powerful tool for dissent and a symbol of cultural identity. Poets and intellectuals like Allama Iqbal (1877-1938) and Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984) wielded the pen as a tool of resistance, using Urdu to express their yearning for freedom and social justice. Iqbal's poetry continues to inspire generations with its call for self- discovery and national awakening, while Faiz gave voice to the marginalised through his revolutionary verses, challenging societal inequalities and advocating for a just world. A script from ا to ئ Beyond its historical significance, Urdu is appreciated for its inherent musicality and nuanced expressions. The Nastaliq script, with its flowing lines and artistic flourishes, adds a visual beauty. Nastaliq is an extended version of the Perso-Arabic script with additional characters to accommodate sounds specific to Urdu. Its 37 letters include: ا (Alif/A) The first letter of the Nastaliq alphabet, pronounced like the 'a' in 'father' ت (Te/T) Pronounced with a gentle 't' sound ث (Se/S) Mirrors the English 's' with a slight hiss in its pronunciation ج (Je/J) Pronounced similar to an English 'j' ح (He/H) Resembles the English 'h' with a breathy quality خ (Khe/Kh) A sound not present in English, resembling the German 'ch' in 'Bach' د (Dal/D) Corresponds to 'd' in English, providing a crisp, clear sound ذ (Zal/Z) A buzzing sound similar to English 'z' ر (Re/R) Mirrors the English 'r' sound with a slight roll of the tongue. In today's interconnected world, Urdu extends its reach beyond the Indian subcontinent and Pakistan. Its influence is evident in global art, literature and cinema, from the soulful renditions of ghazals to the captivating dialogues of Pakistani films. including Rekhta and Hindavi. The term Urdu is derived from the Turkish word Ordu, which originally signified 'horde' or 'army', denoting the language spoken by soldiers and traders in the region. From the 13th century, authors started using Urdu in literature and poetry. Amir Khusrau (1253-1325), a distinguished scholar living under the Delhi Sultanate, played a pivotal role in its development. Earning the title the Father of Urdu Literature, he wrote in Persian and Urdu, and contributed significantly to the flourishing of Urdu in courtly and aristocratic contexts. As a result, the learning of Urdu became more widespread. Today, Urdu encompasses four mutually intelligible dialects: Dakhini, Dhakaiya, Rekhta and Modern Vernacular Urdu. Dakhini is spoken in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh; Dhakaiya in Bangladesh, although its usage is diminishing; and Modern Vernacular Urdu in cities such as Delhi. Rekhta serves as the language for composing poetry. POETIC TEACHINGS A shawl bearing the phrase zindagi gulzar hai ('life is a rose garden'), often used in Urdu poetry NIKOSLIKOMITROS 2023

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