Hazaragi

Hazaragi is a variety of Persian spoken by the Hazara people of central Afghanistan, particularly in the Hazarajat region encompassing Bamyan, Daykundi, and parts of surrounding provinces. Linguistically, Hazaragi is closely related to Dari but has distinct vocabulary, pronunciation, and some grammatical features influenced by Turkic and Mongolic languages, reflecting the Hazara people's complex ethnic heritage.

In Australia, Hazaragi speakers number approximately 20,000 according to the 2021 Census. The Hazara-Australian community has grown primarily through humanitarian migration, as Hazaras have faced systematic persecution in Afghanistan due to their Shia Muslim faith and distinct ethnic identity. Persecution has been perpetrated by various groups including the Taliban and ISIS. The community is concentrated in Dandenong and surrounding suburbs in Melbourne, with significant communities in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, and regional areas including Shepparton and Nhill.

Hazaragi is written in the same Perso-Arabic script as Dari and Farsi, reading right-to-left. While mutually intelligible with Dari, Hazaragi includes distinctive vocabulary and expressions that mark Hazara identity. For the community, the distinction between Hazaragi and Dari carries cultural and political significance — recognition of Hazaragi as a distinct variety affirms Hazara identity.

The Hazara-Australian community has become one of the most visible and organised Afghan communities in Australia, with active community organisations, cultural events, and advocacy groups. The community’s experience of persecution and the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan following the 2021 Taliban takeover remain central concerns.

For organisations, Hazaragi serves a significant humanitarian community. Settlement services, healthcare, mental health support, legal aid, education, and employment services all require Hazaragi-language provision. Sensitivity to the community's experiences of persecution and trauma is essential.