Punjabi language

Punjabi language is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region in India, Pakistan, and among the Punjabi diaspora. It is the 11th most widely spoken language in the world, with more than 100 million native speakers.

History

The Punjabi language has its roots in the Sanskrit of the Aryan tribes that migrated to the Indian subcontinent around 1500 BC. It evolved from the Shauraseni Prakrit, which was the chief language of medieval northern India.

Geographical distribution

Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan and the 11th most widely spoken in India. It is also spoken in parts of Afghanistan, and by the Punjabi diaspora in various countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, and Australia.

Dialects

Punjabi has many dialects, including Majhi, Doabi, Malwai, and Powadhi. The Majhi dialect is considered the standard dialect and is used in formal contexts, as well as in the education system.

Writing systems

Punjabi is written using two scripts: Gurmukhi, which is used in India, and Shahmukhi, which is used in Pakistan and by the Muslim community in India.

Grammar

Punjabi grammar is typologically similar to other Indo-Aryan languages. It is characterized by a system of inflection, though it has lost the grammatical gender characteristic of other Indo-Aryan languages.

Vocabulary

The vocabulary of Punjabi is influenced by Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and more recently, English.

Literature

Punjabi literature has a rich history, with the 12th-century poet Baba Farid being one of the earliest Punjabi writers. The Punjabi language is also the medium for the Sikh scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib.

See also

• Punjabi culture
• Punjabi people
• Punjabi poetry
• Punjabi music