Difference between Yeys

[loy kolay]

Can a native speaker please explain to me the difference between the yeys, both verbally and through grammar? They seem to be used interchangeably but have subtle differences and seem to all be pronounced the same:
ی
ي
ئ

I know there are about 3 or 4 more with different spellings and placement of the dots but I cannot find the characters in my Pashto material.

Thanks!!

[یاسمینه]

ی is pronounced as 'ay'. It mainly denotes masculine nouns.
ي is pronounces as 'i'. It denotes mainly masculine nouns in plural form, masculine adjectives... but also may denotes some feminine nouns.
ې is pronounced as 'e' and it is typical for feminine forms
ئ is pronounced as 'ey' and it should be used only in verbal forms, in 2nd plural form of the verb.
ۍ is pronounced as 'ey' and it's typical for feminine forms.

[یاسمینه]

These endings are not interchangeable. But I have to admit that ي is often written as ی . Also, the ئ is used in non-verbal forms, usually as the first of two ي at the end of a word.

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

These endings are not interchangeable. But I have to admit that ي is often written as ی . Also, the ئ is used in non-verbal forms, usually as the first of two ي at the end of a word.

This due to carelessness and lack of understanding even among native speakers.

Pashto language is not standardized and most pashtuns havent studied Pashto properly. Besides many pashto books are published by amateurs and semi literate people.

[یاسمینه]

This due to carelessness and lack of understanding even among native speakers.

Pashto language is not standardized and most pashtuns havent studied Pashto properly. Besides many pashto books are published by amateurs and semi literate people.

Agree. I was lucky to be taught Pashto by a Pashtun linguist.

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

Agree. I was lucky to be taught Pashto by a Pashtun linguist.

Our local dialect is quite easy. The ya's are usually pronounced the way they are written. However, when I communicate with people from Kandahar, all I hear is just one version of ya. " ي "

I still don't know how to distinguish their Ya's. But written kandahari is the most comprehensive Pashto I know.

[یاسمینه]

Our local dialect is quite easy. The ya's are usually pronounced the way they are written. However, when I communicate with people from Kandahar, all I hear is just one version of ya. " ي "

I still don't know how to distinguish their Ya's. But written kandahari is the most comprehensive Pashto I know.

What you wrote about spoken Kandahari, could be classified, from linguistic point of view, as diphtongs' monophtongization.

[Badlun]

ی and ي are some times used alternatively but the first one ی is called narina(masculine) ye and is also alternative form of ے(ugda/long ye).

The second one ي is called klaka ye(hard ye). Narina ye and nowadays seldom used ugda ye are used in words like singular masculine nouns like sarhey(man), spay(dog) etc

Klaka ye is used in verbs with ee/zer sounds like keegi(being done), razi(coming) etc

ې is called pasta(soft) ye. It is used in words where the sound is between aa and ee. It is used in the middle or end of words. For example khwagey(sweat), sarhey(cold) etc. Note the difference between sarhey(man) and sarhey(cold).

ۍ is called khazina(feminine ye). used for female nouns/words and usually come at the end of a word. For example Jinai/injlai(girl)

ئ is called fayeli(verbal) ye and used for denoting verbs like ukrhai(you do). razai(you come). ukhrai(you eat)

[RonaldFal00]

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