Investigating the Historical Development of the Pashto Script ‎

Abstract

The subject of script is an important topic from the perspective of language and linguistics because the foundation and structure of a language is based on its writing. Writing is what keeps languages alive, and it is through writing that ancient texts of languages are preserved for others. Pashto is also one of those languages in the world that has left behind ancient scripts (likdod). In this way, this language has experienced cuneiform, Kharosthi, and Greek scripts in its historical development, and some historical documents regarding this are also available. However, at the time when the holy religion of Islam came to this land and the Pashtuns became Muslims, the ancient scripts of the Pashto language were changed into a new script, and they left their place for the Arabic script. Since the letters of the Arabic language are few and do not suffice for the sounds of Pashto, various efforts have been made at different times to solve this problem. This article examines those efforts and offers recommendations concerning the shortcomings that Pashto writers still face. In addition, the significance of this research lies in the fact that it identifies the existing problems in Pashto script and provides solutions for them. This topic has been conducted in a descriptive method following the reading and analysis of the decisions made regarding Pashto script in the form of bibliographic research. In The results of this study concludes that the existing problems in Pashto script can be reduced by establishing a general and comprehensive policy, so that Pashto script becomes an internationally accepted writing system.