The Relations of Burushaski
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1. The Burushaski language has been spoken in Hunza, Nagar and Yasin since ancient times. The Burushaski and Shina languages have several words in common. It was also a tradition in Hunza that all songs of praise on a national level were sung in the Shina language, such as hymns to the rulers (mir) of Hunza, wedding ceremony songs, eulogies in praise of warriors and soldiers, and the prognostic songs of the shamans (biÚan, i.e., soothsayers = kahin).
2. The linguistic and cultural ties between Hunza and Baltistan are also very strong. Since the languages here have many cognates, the greatest success in the field of local languages is not possible at all unless, besides the Burushaski dictionary, there are dictionaries of Shina, Wakhi, Balti and Khowar languages. Therefore, my humble suggestion is that all the honourable scholars of the region should start their respective works with the same determination to complete this great project. God willing, we shall succeed in a very short time.
3. A very important question is whether a language is created by human beings or whether it is a natural phenomenon. In my opinion, every language is a Divine miracle, and this is also the teaching of the wise Qur'an. Reflect on surah-yi Rum (30:22). Thus, language is one of the great bounties of Allah.
4. I have been researching Burushaski for over half a century. I was the very first poet to write poems in this frozen and extremely difficult language, and by the grace and mercy of God, I have earned a great reputation. In the meantime, infinite wonders and marvels of my mother tongue have been revealed to me. It is true that some of its grammatical rules are extraordinary.
31 July 1998
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