Diese weitgehend unbekannte Sprache Zentralasiens wird hier zum ersten Mal im deutschsprachigen Raum im Überblick behandelt. Die Studiengrammatik wendet sich an Anfänger als auch Fortgeschrittene und ist für den Unterricht und zum Selbststudium geeignet. Index und Überblick über diverse Schriftsysteme im Anhang ergänzen das Werk.

The book presents the German translation of a Persian manuscript from Afghanistan with personal memories and notes of the reign of the Taliban which were written down by a local intellectual immediately at the time of the Taliban. It seems to be the first comprehensive description of the Taliban from an inner-Afghan point of view. In terms of time the manuscript gives a mostly chronological summary of the events which had taken place from the emergence of the Taliban and the rise of their power up to the end of their rule in autumn 2001. Sometimes the author refers to earlier events which may date back up to the 1950ies. From a regional point of view the main focus of the narrative is on the province of Nimroz in South-Western Afghanistan. Additional information about persons, places, ethnic groups and selected events which are mentioned in the text, is given in footnotes. The foreword presents information about the author of the manuscript, who died from an illness in April 2002. Here the editor and translator gives also a short analysis of the narrative structure of the manuscript which is aimed to show to which of our questions about the history of the Taliban this text may be an authentic testimony.

This textbook offers a communicative-oriented introduction to the Dari-Persian language of Afghanistan and aims to acquire a comprehensive basic knowledge. An introductory chapter is devoted to the Arabic-Persian script and the pronunciation of Dari-Persian. In forty further chapters, the learners are enabled to exchange ideas in representative communicative situations, initially on concrete, real-life topics and later on more abstract content. Numerous aspects of regional culture and history are also examined here. Vocabulary and grammar are taught step by step according to the communicative requirements. Important phrases that enable lively communication are provided as a means of expression. The solution part enables self-control of the exercises. Two glossaries summarize the vocabulary taught. Audio recordings are also available for many texts, dialogues and vocabulary lists. Video materials support learning to write and later help to acquire new words in sound and writing. The Dari-Persian textbook ranges from level A1 to B1 of the European Framework of Reference and is suitable for both teaching and self-study.