[2][3] Shughni-Rushani tends towards SOV word order, distinguishes a masculine and feminine gender in nouns and some adjectives, as well as the 3rd person singular of verbs.

Tajik Cyrillic alphabet is of course based on Russian orthography, and similar to that of Uzbek language in neighboring Uzbekistan.

Thus, the Shughni orthography being developed by literaturists in Afghanistan has been derived from Persian, and borrowing letters from Pashto as needed.

[5] This was followed by a 2011 publication by Dr. Nur Ali Dost from Montreal-based "Sohravardi Foundation for Iranian Studies".,[6] a 2011 compilation by Mazhab Shah Zahoori [7] and two other by Alishah Sabbar and Calgary-based Dr. Khush Nazar Parmerzad.

[9][10] The Afghan government has officially adopted Shughni orthography as well, and the Ministry of Education has created textbooks to be used in Badakhshan Province.

[10] Below is a sample text, the first few passages from translations of a British nursery rhyme, The Old Woman and Her Pig.