HindiUrdu

Hindi-Urdu refers to the Hindustani language continuum that encompasses the varieties spoken in northern India and Pakistan. In practice, two standard literary registers—Hindi (Devanagari) and Urdu (Nastaliq)—are treated as separate languages, yet they share a base in the same spoken language.

Historical development: Hindustani emerged from medieval contact between Indo-Aryan vernaculars and Persian- and Arabic‑introduced prestige languages during the Delhi and Mughal eras. By the 18th–19th centuries, regional varieties consolidated into distinct Hindi and Urdu standards through script and literary culture, partitioning communities in India and Pakistan.

Linguistic features: The grammar and core syntax are largely identical, enabling high mutual intelligibility. The main difference lies in the lexicon: Urdu borrows extensively from Persian and Arabic, while Hindi relies more on Sanskrit-derived vocabulary. Phonology is generally shared, with minor regional variations.

Scripts and standard forms: Hindi uses the Devanagari script; Urdu uses the Perso-Arabic Nastaliq script. In modern states, Hindi is the official standard in India for many functions; Urdu is the official language of Pakistan and also a ceremonial language in Indian communities. Hindustani often functions as a lingua franca in northern India and among diaspora.

Sociolinguistic context: The Hindi-Urdu distinction is influenced by politics, religion, and identity. In everyday speech, speakers switch between registers and scripts; in media and literature, Hindustani tends to embrace both traditions. The term 'Hindi-Urdu' is used mainly in linguistic contexts; broadly, Hindustani describes the shared spoken base.