Kashmiri is a unique language in the Indian linguistic context. It is analytic like the modern Indian languages of Sanskritic stock and synthetic like the Old Indo-Aryan itself, possessing characteristics of both and at the same time having peculiarities of its own many of which are yet to be fully explored. Linguistically, its importance can hardly be overlooked because, as Siddheshwar Verma has observed, it reveals linguistic strata of various ages-"Vedic, Buddhist Sanskrit, Pali, Kharoshthi Prakrit"1. George Buhler's view that it is of the greatest importance in the study of a comparative grammar of Indo-Aryan languages2 only stresses the obvious for preserving old word-forms and also revealing how new forms took shape from old bases, Kashmiri does seem to hold the key to understanding the processes through which these languages have passed in their development before assuming their present forms.
Grierson too appears to endorse the same point when he says that a study of the Kashmiri language is "an essential preliminary to any inquiry" regarding the "mutual relations of the modern Aryan vernaculars of India"3.
Hello
Assalām ‘alaikum (>Muslims)
Namaskār (>Hindus)
Halo (inf) आदाब । (aadaab)
How are you?
तोहय छिवा वारय?
(tohy ch'ivaa vaarai?)
What's your name?
त्वहि क्या छु नाव? (Twahi kyaa ch'u naav?)
My name is ...
मे छु नाव ... (Me ch'u naav ...)
Where are you from?
शबे खैर । (Tohy katik ch'v?)
I'm from ...
ब’ छुस रीजान ... (biu ch'us rozaan ...) - m
Pleased to meet you
मे सप’ज़ खोशी त्वहि मीलिध । (Me sapiuz k'oshee twahu meelit')
Good night
शबे खैर । (shabey k'eūr)
Goodbye
Khuda hāfiz (>Muslim) Namaskār (>Hindus)
अलवीदा । (alvidaa)
I understand
ब’ छुस ज़ानान । (biu ch'us zaanaan) -
I don't understand
ब’ छुस न’ ज़ानान । (biu ch'us niu zaanaan) -
Please speak more slowly
तोहय हेकिवा वार’ वार’ वॅनिव । (tohy hekivaa vaariu vaariu veuniv)
Please say that again
तोहय हेकिवा दुबार’ वॅनिथ । (tohy hekivaa dubaariu veunit')
Do you speak English?
तोहय छिवा अंगरीज़ी बोलान? (tohy chivā angrīzī bolān)
Excuse me
वय त्रॅाविव । (vat' treūviv) - to get past
यपॅारय । (yapeūry) - to get attention
How much is this?
यि का’तिस छु? (yi keūtis ch'u)
Sorry
माफ कॅरिव । (maap' keuriv)
Please
मेहरबॅानी । (meharbeūnee)
Thank you
शुकिया /shukriya)
Where's the toilet?
टायलेट कति छि? (ṭaaylet kati ch'u!)
Go away!
च़ल! (tsa!)
Leave me alone!
Help!
मदथ! (madat'!)
Fire!
नार! (naar!)
Stop!
ठहर! (ṭeuhar!)
Call the police!
बुलॅाविव पुलीस! (buleūviv pulees!)
Christmas and New Year greetings
नवरेह मुबारक