A victory for Urdu

The decision by Apple to introduce the Nastaliq script to its operating systems and make it available to users later this year is a significant triumph for Urdu, which has been struggling to hold its own, both against the onslaught from an ‘anglicised’ version of the language, increasingly used in the subcontinent in both written and spoken form and from the Arabisation it is confronting. The lack of keyboards specifically designed for Urdu has resulted in those using the Naskh script designed for Arabic to be used for Urdu typing. The decision to introduce Nastaliq comes after a long campaign, forming part of an attempt to save Urdu from being corrupted by the addition of outside influences. Indeed, this influence from the Middle East is especially notable at home, where we seem to have embarked on a rather bizarre attempt to convert ourselves into Arabs. Words have been subtly altered to sound more Arabic even though the results sometimes sound ridiculous.

The fact is that Urdu is a beautiful language used by poets, writers and scholars for centuries. The Nastaliq script, developed in 14^th century Persia, brings with it a rhythm and flow that is unique. It has been used by calligraphers and others to depict the beauty of Urdu writing. The step taken by Apple will help save a language which has faced a consistent threat. The availability of Nastaliq on keyboards should encourage people to use the purer version of Urdu once more and prevent some of the corruption which we are currently seeing. A tool is now available to help ensure this. The willingness to use it and keep Arabic — another beautiful language — out of Urdu is important. It makes little sense to mingle the two and in the process ruin the elegance of both. This is something about which we need to spread awareness. The campaign to introduce Nastaliq will now be taken to Microsoft as part of the effort to promote a language the subcontinent has used for centuries.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2015.

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