This course is offered at Indiana University through CEUS with online materials developed by CeLCAR.

Course Description

This course provides beginning Dari learners with a wide selection of materials and task-oriented, communicative activities that facilitate the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Dari. Because the course is designed for beginners, it does not presume any previous knowledge of written or spoken Dari.

The aim of this course is to provide students with an introductory knowledge of the Dari language, as it is spoken and written today in Afghanistan as well as the culture of the Afghans. The spoken language of educated native speakers, as well as the contemporary literary language as reflected in the media, will be emphasized throughout.

Class Objectives

This course will familiarize students with the alphabet and sound system of Dari, and provide a systematic presentation of its basic structure and ordinary use by stressing extensive practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

The use of English in the conversation hours will be kept to a minimum; instead, for the most part, Dari will be used. Throughout the course, students will be exposed to authentic audio/visual materials, including videos and photographs illustrating the contemporary cultural life of Pashtuns.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

1. Engage in simple conversations on a number of everyday topics using Dari.
2. Read simple texts and understand the main ideas of texts written in Dari.
3. Write short texts using Dari.
4. Write simple answers to questions on familiar topics using Dari.
5. Participate in simple interactions following social conventions of Afghan Culture.
6. Ask and answer simple questions on familiar topics.
7. Use familiar words and basic phrases to talk about yourself, your family, and immediate surroundings in conversations.
8. Understand familiar names, words, and simple sentences; for example, on notices and posters or in catalogues.
9. Write a short, simple document; for example, a holiday card or postcards.
10. Fill in forms with personal details; for example, entering your name, nationality, and address on a hotel registration form.

Required Textbook

1. Elementary Dari – Online modules via Canvas developed by CeLCAR, Indiana University, 2015-2018.
2. Arman, Rahman. Dari: An Elementary Textbook (with multimedia CD), Georgetown University Press, 2014.

Reference and Suggested texts and materials

1. Dari. Dari-English Dictionary. First Edition. Dunwoody Press, 2009.
2. Chand. English-Dari, Dari-English Dictionary. 2^nd edition. Simon Wallenberg, 2007.
3. com Online Dari-English and English-Pashto dictionary.