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Language Information

Punjabi, often spelled Panjabi, is spoken in the Punjab, the historic region now divided between India and Pakistan. In Pakistan it is the daily language of about two-thirds of the population, or 80 million people, though Urdu is the offical language of the country. In India it is the offical language of Punjab state, and is also spoken in the neighboring states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. In addition about 25 percent of the people living in the New Delhi metropolitan area speak punjabi in everyday life. All told, there are about 25 million speakers in India.

Different dialects of Punjabi are spoken in India and Pakistan. The most prominent of these are Lehnda (or Lehndi), of Pakistan, as well as Majhi, Koabi, and Malwai.

The Punjabi language is closely associated with the Sikh religion. Its alphabet, known as Gurmukhi, was the vehicle for recording the teachings of the Sikh gurus. It was invented by the second of the gurus in the 16th century. Gurmukhi means "proceeding from the mouth of the Guru."

In Pakistan Punjabi, lie Urdu, is written in the Perso-Arabic script. However, most offical correspondence in Pakistan is done in the Urdu language.

Canada, India, Pakistan.

Family: Indo-European
Subgroup: Indo-Iranian
Branch: Indic

Writing Sample

Translation

Sing ye, my comrades, now my wedding song!
In the Temple House where saints sing His Name, where saintly hearts glow all day and night with His Love,
Sing ye, my comrades, now the song of His Praise!
Sing the song my Creator!
I fain would be a sacrifice for the harmony divine that giveth everlasting peace!
My Lord careth for the smallest life,
The Bounteous Giver meets the needs of each,
No arithmetic can count His gifts,
Naught is it that we can render unto Him.
The Auspicious Day has dawned!
The Hour is fixed for my wedding with my Lord!
Come, comrades! Assemble and make rejoicings,
Anoint the Bride with oil and pour on her your blessings!
Comrades! Pray, the Bride may meet her Lord!
This message to every human being!
This call is for all.
O Man! Remember Him who calls!

—Adi Granth (Holy Book of Sikhism)