Sariqoli

Sariqoli is a Turkic language spoken by the Sariqoli people in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan and the adjacent Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan. It is one of the Pamir languages and is closely related to other Eastern Iranian languages. The Sariqoli language is part of the larger Tajik language family, though it is distinct enough to be considered a separate language by many linguists.

The Sariqoli people primarily inhabit the mountainous regions of the Pamirs, a high-altitude area that has influenced their culture and language. The language has a rich oral tradition, with many folk tales, epics, and songs passed down through generations. Due to its isolated geographical location and the relatively small number of speakers, the language faces challenges in preservation and transmission to younger generations. Efforts are underway by some communities and researchers to document and revitalize Sariqoli.

The vocabulary of Sariqoli contains influences from Persian and Russian, reflecting historical and geographical interactions. The grammatical structure shares similarities with other Pamir languages. While exact speaker numbers are difficult to ascertain, estimates suggest tens of thousands of people speak Sariqoli. It is an integral part of the cultural identity of the Sariqoli people.