The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #170248   Message #4117704
Posted By: Charmion's brother Andrew
24-Aug-21 - 11:42 AM
Thread Name: Afghanistan - then and now
Subject: RE: Afghanistan - then and now
"Talib" is a typical three-consonant Arabic noun in the singular meaning "student." "Taliban" is its plural. I believe these are imports to Pashto that came with Islam. Something of which we Westerners are often unaware is that Arabic nouns have dual forms for two of something. The plural is used for three or more.