Public Outcry Over New Traffic Police Sign in Afghanistan

The installation of the new “Traffic Police” sign in Afghanistan has sparked considerable backlash from the public and linguists alike.

Controversy Surrounds the New Traffic Police Sign

The recent installation of a new sign reading “General Traffic Police” in place of the traditional Traffic Directorate has raised significant concerns among citizens and language experts. Linguists argue that familiar terms such as “police” and “traffic” have already become entrenched in both colloquial and formal discourse in the country, and replacing them with Arabic phrases may pose serious challenges to communication between the populace and government institutions.

Public Discontent Over Title Changes

Many residents in Kabul and Nangarhar have expressed dissatisfaction with these changes, finding terms like “police” and “traffic” alien to their societal context. They believe that such alterations, which contradict the collective memory of the community, are impractical and might even amount to a denial of the country’s cultural and linguistic heritage according to some factions.

Concerns from Language Experts and University Professors

Former professors from Kabul University’s Faculty of Language and Literature, along with translation researchers, emphasize that language should facilitate communication. Therefore, substituting established terms in official discourse lacks a scientific basis and may complicate written communication and the understanding of administrative matters for the community.

Background of Linguistic Changes

Research indicates that these changes have been systematically planned. The Taliban’s Ministry of Justice passed the “Traffic Police Law” this past August (1405 in the Afghan calendar), comprising 53 articles related to the security, border control, and traffic responsibilities of security forces. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior has gradually begun using titles like “General Traffic Police Directorate” in its recruitment announcements since Cancer month.

New Challenges in Official Language

This type of change isn’t without precedent; for instance, during the year 1402, the standard color of city taxis shifted from yellow and white to turquoise, which also incited considerable debate. Despite a lack of clear explanations from governing bodies regarding the aims of these changes, the proliferation of new terminology reflects the Taliban’s intent to ideologically unify the official language of the country.