Understanding Dari: The Complex History and Significance of Afghanistan's Official Language

Dari (Persian: دری) is a term used to refer to the Persian language spoken in Afghanistan. It is also used as an alternative name for the Pashto language, which is spoken by the Pashtun people of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The term "Dari" is derived from the Persian word "dar", meaning "country" or "land". It was originally used to refer to the Persian language spoken in the court of the Afghan monarchs, who were of Pashtun descent but spoke Persian as their official language. Over time, the term came to be used more broadly to refer to any form of Persian spoken in Afghanistan, including the dialects spoken by non-Pashtun communities such as the Tajiks and Hazaras.

In modern times, the term "Dari" has been used interchangeably with "Persian" to refer to the official language of Afghanistan, although some linguists argue that the two terms have distinct meanings and connotations. The use of the term "Dari" is controversial among some Afghans, who view it as a reminder of the country's historical subjugation by Persian-speaking rulers from Iran.