Ahirani

Ahirani is an Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily in the Khandesh region of Maharashtra, India. It is a dialect of the Khandeshi language, which itself is considered by some linguists to be a dialect of Marathi, while others classify it as a separate language. Ahirani is most prevalent in the districts of Dhule, Jalgaon, and Nandurbar, and also extends into parts of Nashik district.

The language has a significant number of speakers, estimated to be in the millions, making it a prominent regional language. Ahirani shares many grammatical structures and vocabulary with Marathi, but it also possesses distinct features and a unique pronunciation that sets it apart. Its lexicon is influenced by its geographical location and historical interactions with neighboring languages and communities.

Historically, Ahirani has been an oral language with a rich tradition of folk songs, proverbs, and storytelling. While it does not have a widely standardized script of its own, it is often written using the Devanagari script, the same script used for Marathi and Hindi. Efforts have been made by various organizations and individuals to promote and preserve Ahirani, including the publication of dictionaries and literature. The cultural identity of the Ahirani-speaking community is closely tied to the language, and its continued use is a vital aspect of their heritage.