Introduction

Pashto, an Eastern Iranian language, is one of the national languages of Afghanistan, and a regional language in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The implications of this are that the language is more developed in education and a literary tradition in Afghanistan, while it is only a spoken language in Pakistan. Vocabulary in Afghan Pashto draws on the Persian language, while vocabulary in Pakistani Pashto draws on Urdu. Pashto in the tribal and border areas tends to be the least affected by these other languages. The different Pashtos not only draw on different sources for vocabulary, but use different degrees of grammatical structures, varying from simple to complex. With almost 17 million speakers spread out over Afghanistan, Pakistan, and a few in Iran, the major Pashto speaking cities are Qandahar, Jalal Abad, Kabul, Peshawar and Quetta.

Pashto has a literary tradition of classical poetry, historical texts, and especially 20th century short stories. But perhaps its greatest literary wealth lies in its popular culture, available in written, oral and limited video formats.

Instruction at the University of Pennsylvania combines a fluent non-native speaker for presenting the language complexities and understanding texts, with a native speaker for expanding varieties of spoken genres geared to different contexts.

Course Descriptions

Required text for Beginning and Intermediate Pashto:

	Pashto Conversation Manual and Tapescript
	Pashto Language Cassettes.

Students are encouraged to take a proficiency exam at the end of their second year.

SAST-430 Beginning Pashto
Also cross-listed as AMES-017/517
(Four classroom hours per week)
Instructor: Benedicte Grima Santry, b.santry@verizon.net or: bgsantry@sas.upenn.edu

We open by placing Pashto within the realm of Indo-Iranian languages.

The first semester is focused on mastering the writing system, basic structures, and simple conversation using texts, writing samples, and numerous structure and dialogue drills.We remain within the present and future tenses only, developing vocabulary with lessons and discussions centered around greetings, family, weather, foods, and directions. Students use the Manual, along with the cassettes.

The second semester, we cover more advanced structures with reinforcing drills, and begin reading longer texts of an assorted variety, mostly short stories and some news articles.The past tense is introduced, as well as longer more complex texts.

We memorize dialogues and begin conversing within simple simulated contexts (taxi, hotel, restaurant, food shopping, time, family). We use the memorized portion as a base from which to grow on.Short writing exercises and dictations are expected at this time, as well as simultaneous translations to and from Pashto.

We also continue to train the ear with the Manual and Tapes.

Grades at the Beginning level are based on regular tests every three weeks, totaling 5 per semester.Grades are also based on assignments and class preparation.

SAST-431 Intermediate Pashto
Also cross-listed as AMES-218/518
(Four classroom hours per week)
Instructor: Benedicte Grima Santry, b.santry@verizon.net or: bgsantry@sas.upenn.edu

The first semester begins with a review of some grammar, taken to a more complex level, and including conditional phrases. Past tense and ergative structures are expected at this time.

We focus more on the Manual and Tapes at the Intermediate level, more difficult texts, and increased writing and conversation through dialogue, essays and simultaneous translations.

The second semester we work on translating a chapbook romance, working with both a sung version on cassette, and the written chapbook. Popular culture is hence introduced, and the ear is developed from working with oral sources. The combination of metered verse and everyday language used in the selected genre greatly enhance the student's ear for proper stress in speaking.

Students spend two hours per week with a native speaker, where we focus on discussion around various current issues, as well as listen to radio broadcasts.Here the aim is to develop a current vocabulary, an ability to listen to formal speech and understand it, and a proficiency at discussing within a formal journalistic context.

Grades are based on two tests per semester, one interview-based research paper with a native speaker per semester, weekly write-ups of discussions, and class preparation.

By the completion of the second year, the basic course is ended, and students should be minimally proficient in speaking, reading and writing. Pashto, however, is not easy to pick up like a romance language, and takes much longer to master. Such concepts as ergativity are completely anomalous to our way of thinking language, and students, especially those with no background in related languages, are strongly encouraged to pursue a third year for plausible proficiency.

SAST-432 Advanced Pashto
Also cross-listed as AMES-219/519
(Three classroom hours per week)
Instructor: Benedicte Grima Santry, b.santry@verizon.net or: bgsantry@sas.upenn.edu

Students spend two hours a week with a native speaker enhancing skills in formal journalistic understanding, interpretation, and conversation.

The third is spent going over readings prepared by the student. At this point, the number of students and their particular interests may determine the direction the course takes. Once a direction is taken, we focus on the ability to read for meaning and to develop a dialogue within that subject area. We can pursue the following options, or others at the student's request:

	Modern prose fiction (Comp Lit.)
	Classical poetry (Comp. Lit.)
	News and journalism, and political essays both from oral and newspaper sources (Pol. Science, International Studies, History)
	Historical texts (History)
	Popular culture and more epics and romances (Folklore, Anthropology, Comp. Lit.)
	Life stories, using field recordings (Anthropology)
	Dialect Studies, using field recordings to develop the ear for various regional dialects (Linguistics)
	Contemporary radio dramas, taken from current broadcasts (Comp. Lit, Anthropology)

Online Resources

Online Resources for Pashto