Linguists Collective Conference & International Mother Language Day IMLD Celebration

Linguists Collective Conference & Celebration
of International Mother Language Day

Wednesday, 21 February 2024

Zubair Torwali
Zubair Torwali
Protecting Torwali Language: A 20-Year Story

Zubair Torwali is set to deliver a talk on “Protecting Torwali: A 20-Year Story,” shedding light on the efforts undertaken to safeguard the endangered Torwali language. Torwali, a Dardic language belonging to the Indo-Aryan family, faces a critical threat from Pashto, a dominant language in the region. With an estimated 80,000-120,000 speakers, a significant portion of the population has migrated to urban centres where Urdu, Pashto, and Punjabi prevail, posing a risk to Torwali’s survival.

Over the past two decades, local organisation Idara Baraye Taleem wa Taraqi (IBT) has spearheaded comprehensive initiatives for the preservation of Torwali. IBT has pioneered mother tongue-based multilingual education, documented folklore, and printed literature, compiled dictionaries, translated works into Torwali, produced audiovisual content, and advocated for language rights extensively. Their efforts encompass celebrating Torwali culture, conducting historical research, and engaging with governments, media, communities, and international bodies. Through his presentation, Zubair Torwali will illuminate the transformative journey undertaken to revive Torwali language and culture, underscoring the challenges and successes encountered over the years.

About Torwali

Zubair Torwali is the co-founder and executive director of IBT, a non-profit advocacy and research organisation in Swat, Pakistan. Educated at the University of Peshawar, he focused on English literature and language, later delving into linguistics and anthropology. Zubair has authored several publications spanning linguistics, language revitalisation, peace, cultural studies, and education. Notable works include “Torwali Alif Be Te” (2007) and “Muffled Voices: Longing for a Pluralist and Peaceful Pakistan” (2015). Zubair is recognised as a Malala Fund Education Champion for Pakistan and a Global Leader for Young Children by the World Forum Foundation.