Things to know about Dari
Dari is one of the languages spoken in parts of Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan.
If your Dari lessons require you to type Dari characters, follow the instructions immediately below to do so. If your lessons use transliterated Dari, see the Using Transliterated Dari Lessons section further down.
Using Dari Lessons
Dari is written in a flowing script that runs from right to left, the opposite of English. Most Dari letters connect to the letters preceding and following them, just as in English cursive writing. Therefore, letters often change shape depending on their placement within a word. Dari is usually written using only consonants and long vowels, although there are small marks which can be used above or below letters to indicate short vowels.
To type Dari characters:
- Position your cursor somewhere where you can type, and verify that the virtual keyboard layout is set to Dari.
- Locate the character you want on the virtual keyboard, then click on it or press the corresponding key on your physical keyboard. The virtual keyboard shows the stand-alone form of each letter, but the characters will automatically change form to connect to one another as you type. Some punctuation marks, such as the question mark, are available by pressing the Shift key, and certain additional characters are available by clicking
beside the virtual keyboard. See Typing special scripts for details.
Using Transliterated Dari Lessons
Some Dari lessons in this application may be transliterated - written with the letters of the Latin alphabet, from left to right. Transliterated lessons can help you master vocabulary and pronunciation before tackling a new writing system.
You do not have to type actual Dari characters in transliterated Dari lessons. You can type the transliterations in any activity or assessment that requires typed answers. Transliterated Dari does not require any special characters.