The Corpus Research Center at Minhaj University Lahore (MUL) is dedicated to the preservation and documentation of Pakistan's indigenous and regional languages, which are crucial components of the global linguistic and cultural heritage. These languages embody unique knowledge systems, cultural identities, and historical narratives, making their preservation and revitalization essential for maintaining linguistic diversity and fostering inclusive societies. The Center aims to collect and analyze data from various local and native languages within Pakistan to support these efforts.
China's interest in obtaining data on Pakistan's indigenous languages highlights the global significance of these languages for comparative and analytical purposes. The Corpus Research Center will utilize advanced linguistic methodologies and technological tools to contribute to the preservation and revitalization of these languages, ensuring the sustenance of Pakistan's linguistic heritage. Similar initiatives are being pursued globally, with institutions like those at Leeds, Oxford, and Cambridge, as well as countries such as Australia, Germany, and India, actively working to preserve their native languages. These efforts often involve seeking funding and support from both national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure the sustainability of language preservation initiatives. CRC’s collection of languages:
The Gojri language, also known as Gujari, is spoken by the Gujjar community primarily in parts of South Asia, including India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and is closely related to other languages such as Punjabi and Rajasthani.
The Pahari languages, also known as the Pahadi languages, are a group of Indo-Aryan languages spoken in the Himalayan regions of South Asia. They are primarily spoken in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in parts of Nepal and Bhutan. Pahari languages are also spoken in some areas of Pakistan.
Pashto, also known as Pashtu or Pakhto, is an Iranian language spoken primarily by the Pashtun people, who mainly inhabit Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is one of the two official languages of Afghanistan, along with Dari (Persian), and is also spoken by significant communities in parts of Iran and the Pashtun diaspora around the world.
The term "Rangri" may refer to the Rangri language spoken by the Ranghar community in parts of India and Pakistan. The Ranghar are a Muslim community with a history linked to Central Asia, particularly to regions like Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. They have settled in various parts of India and Pakistan over the centuries.
The Shina languages are a group of Indo-Aryan languages spoken primarily in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and parts of the Kashmir Valley in India.