Afghanistan: Taliban to Replace Foreign Terms Like TV and Mobile

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has initiated a formal process to remove foreign terminology from the country's official and administrative language. According to a decree issued by the Taliban's supreme leader, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, common foreign words such as 'TV', 'mobile', and 'train' will be replaced with local linguistic alternatives. The directive, which came into effect this Sunday, is part of a broader effort to strengthen national and cultural identity through linguistic reform.

To oversee this transition, a specialized committee has been formed under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice. This committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Information and Culture, the Academy of Sciences, and various administrative departments. The group is tasked with evaluating foreign terms currently in use and proposing appropriate substitutes derived from local languages.

Establishment of the Linguistic Committee

The committee, led by the Ministry of Justice, is responsible for identifying Pashto and Dari equivalents for technical and everyday foreign terms. Members are required to select words that are linguistically accurate and practical for administrative use. Once the committee identifies suitable alternatives, the final approval will be granted by Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada. Following his endorsement, these new terms will become mandatory for all official government documentation and communication.

Directives for Government Agencies

All government agencies and administrative bodies have been instructed to cooperate fully with the new linguistic policy. Each department is required to compile a comprehensive list of foreign words frequently used in their specific sectors. These lists will be submitted to the committee for review and replacement. The administration aims to ensure that all future official correspondence, legal documents, and government records are maintained strictly in local languages.

Historical Context of Language Reform

Efforts to promote linguistic purity and reduce foreign influence in Afghanistan have been seen under previous administrations as well. In 2012, former President Hamid Karzai issued a similar decree aimed at removing foreign words from the national vocabulary. However, those efforts saw limited success due to a lack of rigorous implementation and administrative follow-through, while the current administration appears to be taking a more structured approach to ensure the changes are permanently integrated into the state machinery.

Removal of Foreign Signage in Cities

Over the past few years, there has been a visible push to reduce the presence of foreign languages in urban centers. Several municipalities have already taken action by removing banners, billboards, and advertisements that featured English or other foreign scripts. While there were previous attempts to replace English terms with Arabic names, the new focus is specifically on indigenous languages to ensure that the administrative language reflects the country's own heritage.

Objectives of the Cultural Policy

The primary objective of this decree is to safeguard Afghanistan's cultural and linguistic sovereignty. The administration believes that the widespread use of foreign terminology dilutes the national identity and distances the public from their cultural roots. By mandating the use of local words, the government seeks to preserve the integrity of the native languages for future generations. This move is a key component of the Taliban's broader policy to align the country's social and administrative structures with traditional values.