Language Maintenance and Shift among Pashto-Speaking Diaspora in the Middle East

Abstract

This research paper explores how Pashto-speaking migrant communities in the Middle East maintain or shift their language use. It draws on recent studies of South Asian migrants in Gulf countries and compares Pashto communities in other diasporas. The article gathers evidence on where and how Pashto is used, including family language policies, community networks, work and school influences, and government language environments that affect whether Pashto is kept or lost. The paper finds that language maintenance is strongest when dense ethnic networks, intermarriage, and active family language policies exist alongside institutional support such as religious schools, community classes, and media. Conversely, language shift speeds up when migrants quickly integrate socioeconomically, children attend local schools, and households switch to dominant languages like English, Arabic, or Urdu for practical reasons. Based on this review, the paper suggests practical steps for families, community groups, and governments to promote intergenerational language transmission. It also highlights directions for future research, including long-term, mixed-method, and community-based approaches.