Learn Pashto [With Audio]

[sajids2]

salam

I am trying to learn pASHTO as i have never tried learning it nd i love the Pakhtoon culture.

The audio fils dont match with the appropriate pdf files. Could you help melinking wich audio file goes with which pdf?

thanks

Sajid

[Admin Khan]

^We have other resources as well, look around the Pashto forum

[Pukhtoon]

In my opinion it is one of the worst books (I know most of books for Pashto learning in few languages). Lots of errors, lack of consequence in grammar explanation etc. On the other hand, there aren't too many sources to study Pashto. In this context any source can be considered as a good one.

Could you give a list of said sources and possibly rank them in quality?

[یاسمینه]

In my opinion the best textbook is the one written by Manfred Lorenz (in German). Its grammar is rather limited, but sufficient for beginners/ intermediate level. The vocabulary is just perfectly chosen. When I started speaking Pashto with Pashtuns, that vocabulary allowed me for almost-fluent conversation. I know that texts from this book about Russian - Afghan friendship sounds odd and outdated, but in fact it is not important when you want to learn.
If it comes to grammar - the best explanation (in Russian) is in the book of Shafeev.
Both are somewhere in the kitabtoon.

[Pukhtoon]

In my opinion the best textbook is the one written by Manfred Lorenz (in German). Its grammar is rather limited, but sufficient for beginners/ intermediate level. The vocabulary is just perfectly chosen. When I started speaking Pashto with Pashtuns, that vocabulary allowed me for almost-fluent conversation. I know that texts from this book about Russian - Afghan friendship sounds odd and outdated, but in fact it is not important when you want to learn.
If it comes to grammar - the best explanation (in Russian) is in the book of Shafeev.
Both are somewhere in the kitabtoon.

What do you think are the best English based Pukhto learning books, software, etc.?

Also, would you mind elaborating on your introduction to learning the language, i.e., did you start with verb conjugation, learning vocab etc.? Would appreciate a detailed chronology if you had time, would likely help a lot of people on the forums. Thanks in advance.

[یاسمینه]

Chronology - difficult to answer this question. As I mentioned in my other post, I started learning Pashto at the University, it was my main language, I had two, sometimes three different teachers. My main textbook was the one by Lorenz. It was one type of Pashto class. Second one - descriptive grammar of Pashto - accorrding to Shafeev. Third one - conversation with a native speaker(s).
In fact, every Pashto textbook refers to the description of Pashto grammar by Shafeev. I don't remember if English version is in our kitabtoon. I didn't like it anyway, because it didn't have Pashto script. So called English transcription of Pashto is not what I like/ understand. It can be very confusing. So whenever I can, I use Pashto script.

Textbook in English - there are two almost-good
One is by H. Tegey and B. Robson, second written by Olson.
Olson's book - I can't read this book because of used transcription. Capital letters in the middle of words are very distracting. But you may like it. You will find it in the kitabtoon, however the audio clips don't match the textbook (audioclips are for newer edition, which is unavailable here). As Olson mentioned in the book - it is written in Pakistani Pashto.

Tegey's book - lack of sufficient explanation of grammar issues. It happens in Pashto that the same word can have different forms, some are shorter, some longer (especially some forms of verbs). A beginner will never know if the forms means the same or not, because of lack of comment. Such situation could be very confusing for a beginner (not only). Also, in my opinion, there are too many words from Dari. I think most of them could be replaced by pure Pashto words. Even my native speaker was upset about it.

Did you introduce yourself ? Are you a Pashtun? Why do you want to learn Pashto? Pleas let us know more about yourself in a relevant section.

[Pukhtoon]

Chronology - difficult to answer this question. As I mentioned in my other post, I started learning Pashto at the University, it was my main language, I had two, sometimes three different teachers. My main textbook was the one by Lorenz. It was one type of Pashto class. Second one - descriptive grammar of Pashto - accorrding to Shafeev. Third one - conversation with a native speaker(s).
In fact, every Pashto textbook refers to the description of Pashto grammar by Shafeev. I don't remember if English version is in our kitabtoon. I didn't like it anyway, because it didn't have Pashto script. So called English transcription of Pashto is not what I like/ understand. It can be very confusing. So whenever I can, I use Pashto script.

Textbook in English - there are two almost-good
One is by H. Tegey and B. Robson, second written by Olson.
Olson's book - I can't read this book because of used transcription. Capital letters in the middle of words are very distracting. But you may like it. You will find it in the kitabtoon, however the audio clips don't match the textbook (audioclips are for newer edition, which is unavailable here). As Olson mentioned in the book - it is written in Pakistani Pashto.

Tegey's book - lack of sufficient explanation of grammar issues. It happens in Pashto that the same word can have different forms, some are shorter, some longer (especially some forms of verbs). A beginner will never know if the forms means the same or not, because of lack of comment. Such situation could be very confusing for a beginner (not only). Also, in my opinion, there are too many words from Dari. I think most of them could be replaced by pure Pashto words. Even my native speaker was upset about it.

Did you introduce yourself ? Are you a Pashtun? Why do you want to learn Pashto? Pleas let us know more about yourself in a relevant section.

Thank you again for your responses. Although I am not much for introductions, I believe I owe it to you to answer your questions because of your constantly thoughtful responses. To answer your questions: Yes. I am Pukhtoon and for that reason I would like to be more fluent in the language. I would like to have the same mastery over the language as I do English, written and spoken, and speak more of a "pure" Pukhto or, at least know what the actual Pukhto word for something is rather then the loan word.

I am very serious about gaining mastery over the language although it is quite difficult to find any learning resources online or otherwise that are adequate without a teacher. Generally, though, I just need practice more then anything else. Hope that answers your questions. If you are available or know of any other such person that would be available to teach or instruct in the language in a serious, academic way, I'd be more then happy to hear about it.

As an aside, did you learn Russian, German, English, etc. to facilitate your Pukhto studies so you could learn from the better textbooks available on Pukhto or was it just happenstance?

[یاسمینه]

If you are available or know of any other such person that would be available to teach or instruct in the language in a serious, academic way, I'd be more then happy to hear about it.

Well, I can try to explain you most of grammar issues, just tell me what you exactly want to learn. I do not know what is your level of Pashto, if you are fluent or beginner etc.
As an aside, did you learn Russian, German, English, etc. to facilitate your Pukhto studies so you could learn from the better textbooks available on Pukhto or was it just happenstance?
I learnt Russian long ago (at that time I didn't guess I would need it in the future) - it was a compulsory language in schools here so I was forced to learn during 8 years. But it wasn't wasted time. From my point of view - no one can be seriosly involved in Oriental studies without the knowledge of the Russian language.
Russian, before they invaded Afghanistan, they had done a good job. They prefectly described the region, the country and language (of course they had thier agenda). I wrote it many times here - nothing can beat the Pashto - Russian dictionary. Also Russians were the only ones who described two main dialects of Dari - Kabuli and Herati. Russians wrote dictionaries and texbooks to Wakhi, Gilaki and other languages.
The times of the Cold War, paradoxically contributed to the knowledge about Central Asia. At that time it was a rivalrly between Western and Eastern scholars - who will take more research, who will write more ...
Over thirty years war made that there are not too many good and relevant publications about Afghanistan, and that the Russian publications are still (till some extent) good.

German language - I don't speak German, but with some help, I managed to translate the Lorenz book.

English, French, Ialian - I learnt them also long ago.

Arabic, Hindi, Dari, Persian, Urdu - I started learning them recently. When you know them even a little, you can almost freely comunicate in the whole Central Asia. Additionally, the knowledge of Arabic and Persian grammar helps in Pashto grammar (for example some words have in Pashto two plural forms - like fekr (singular). Plural form could be fekruna (typical Pashto plural form) or afkar (Arabic plural form).

German and Russian materials to study Pashto language were selected by my Polish professor of Pashto. With time, when I began to explore new Western textbooks or dictionaries, I found out that her choice was the best. Now when I know Pashto better, I see more things in these Russian and German books which could be written/explained better.

[Pukhtoon]

That's an impressive language resume - you definitely wouldn't have much trouble anywhere in Central Asia, South Asia, or the middle east.

Dari should be easy as should Urdu - Pukhto, Dari, and Urdu have the same basic grammar (Urdu I believe mimicked the Dari grammar and Pukhto might have done the same because it was such a dominant language in the region for so long).

Arabic is very different, however, and the pronunciation might take some time to get use to but the grammar and rules are so very logical that it should be easier then some other languages in that respect.

Do you happen to have an English translation of the Lorenzo book by chance?

Also, I appreciate your willingness to help on the forum. However, if you might be interested/willing/available etc. for a more formal instruction on the language like learning all the rules, grammar, etc. I would be interested. You can PM me if that is a possibility.

Thanks again for all of your help.

[طالب]

Just a general shout out to everyone: If somebody has the audio tapes for the "Beginning Pashto" and "Intermediate Pashto" CAL learning materials, please upload and post them!

Last I heard they might be available from either Diplomatic Language Services or IU Language Lab, if any of you are located nearby in the US.

[یاسمینه]

^ Welcome back :D

[طالب]

^ Why thank you

[paceforall]

were we can download all files in one archieve?